HUNDREDS turned up to remember the fallen soldiers in the community on Remembrance Sunday.
Residents of Risca and the surrounding areas turned out to remember fallen relatives and members of the community.
Beginning at Rifleman Street in Risca, the parade was led by the Biker Branch of the Royal British Legion. The Salvation Army Band led the walking parade and were followed by the standard bearers from the Royal British Legion Risca Branch, British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, Cubs, scouts, brownies and guides.
Crowds followed behind the parade with more people already at the cenotaph lining the streets above and opposite the memorial.
Following the parade to the Cenotaph in Risca, a welcome was performed by Rev Marc Owen, and Keith Sutcliffe, chairman of the Risca Branch Royal British Legion, carried out the exhortation.
Mr Sutcliffe also commended Iain Jones, standard bearer at the parade, who also carried a standard at the parade at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday - the first time a member of the Risca Branch of the Royal British Legion has done so.
Following the exhortation, the Last Post was played by Emily Browning and following the two-minute silence, Reveille was performed by Ms Browning.
MORE NEWS:
- The Morgan family of Tredegar House during the two world wars
- In pictures: Remembrance Day parades in Gwent past
The Kohima Epitaph was then read by Mr Sutcliffe before Michael Gray performed a scripture reading from Psalm 46. Rev Owen led prayers before a heart-breaking poem was read by Iain Jones discussing a soldiers death through the eyes of his daughter at a ‘daddies day’ in school - which left very few with dry eyes.
Brigadier Russ Wardle led the laying of wreaths and crosses were laid by the general public. Wreaths were laid by deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, each of the military branches, the legion, MS Rhianon Passmore, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Risca East and Risca Town councils and other members of the community.
A note was made about two new benches in the cenotaph - one dedicated to the animals who served and were killed during the wars and one dedicated to two soldiers - Louden Lewis and William Gell - who were prisoners of war and died in captivity.
The Welsh National Anthem and God Save The Queen were sung accompanied by the Salvation Army Band before the parade reassembled to march back to Rifleman Street.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here