Stourbridge marks Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day

Parades and services were held across the borough including in Stourbridge, Lye, Kingswinford, Wordsley, Wall Heath, Brierley Hill, Pensnett, Quarry Bank, Sedgley, Lower Gornal, Halesowen and Cradley and Dudley on Remembrance Sunday (November 10).

Members of the public joined current and former servicemen and women, community groups and dignitaries to remember the country’s fallen heroes.

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles in Mary Stevens Park, Norton, for Remembrance, the parade in the park and poppy wreaths on the cenotaph (Image: Cat Eccles MP) Plenty of people also turned out to mark Armistice Day today (Monday November 11) which has been observed with a two-minute silence at 11am every November 11 since 1919 commemorating the end of the First World War.

Armistice Day in Mary Stevens Park, Norton (Image: Bev Holder / Newsquest) In Stourbridge, 99-year-old D-Day veteran Joseph Bullock attended both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day events in Mary Stevens Park.

He described attendance at Remembrance Sunday as "absolutely fantastic" and said: “Yesterday was out of this world. I couldn't believe it, all the people that turned up.

"Here I am again this morning. We were all 19 in those days. I lost some friends, I gained a lot of friends too during the war. I'm glad I'm here."

D-Day veteran Joseph Bullock, aged 99, in Mary Stevens Park, Norton, on Armistice Day, November 11, 2024 (Image: Bev Holder / Newsquest)

Mick Thompson, chairperson of Stourbridge Royal British Legion, said it was good to see members of the public turn out on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day and he said of Sunday's event: "It went very well. The park was absolutely packed, with several hundred people parading."

Strong turnouts were also reported at Remembrance events in Brierley Hill and Kingswinford.

Brierley Hill councillor Adam Davies said: "Once again, we had a fantastic turnout from the public and children from the local Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and other groups were a real credit to our area."

Remembrance Sunday in Brierley Hill (Image: Cllr Adam Davies)

Kingswinford photographer Nick Wood, who captured the Kingswinford parade on camera, said the event attracted "an amazing attendance" and he added: "Everyone who took part or attended should be very proud."

Remembrance Sunday in Kingswinford (Image: Nick Wood) Dudley’s Remembrance Sunday parade was the borough’s main event – attended by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills and Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Richard Boot OBE.

Members of B Squadron The Royal Yeomanry marched through the town to the cenotaph on Ednam Road, with music provided by the 24th Invicta Rifles Military Marching Band, and veterans, military personnel, cadets, guides and scouts joining in the procession ahead of a service led by Reverend James Treasure at Coronation Gardens.

Remembrance Sunday parade in Dudley (Image: Dudley Council) Cllr Bills, Mayor of Dudley, said it was “a true honour and a privilege” to represent the borough at the event.

The Mayor of Dudley Hilary Bills laying a wreath in Dudley (Image: Dudley Council) She added: “This solemn occasion reminds us all to pause and reflect on the immense sacrifices that our armed forces have made for our country, including the courageous men and women who are serving today.

“We vow never to forget those who have lost their lives in defence of our rights and freedoms.”

A cross of remembrance will be in Dudley’s Market Place until Friday November 22, with residents welcome to place a poppy at any time in memory of those who have lost their lives.