UK's oldest WW2 veteran, 109, at memorial service

The UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran was among the thousands of people who gathered for Remembrance Sunday services across the East Midlands to mark the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

People came together for parades and ceremonies at war memorials, reflecting with a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT.

Donald Rose, aged 109, paid his respects at the Cenotaph, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, where Erewash's deputy mayor Harry Atkinson laid a wreath as hundreds paid their respects in the Market Place.

Mr Rose, a great-grandfather, is a D-Day veteran and served on the front line with the 7th Armoured Division.

In Notingham, Catherine Mason attended a ceremony to remember her son Cameron Laing who died while in active service at the age of 20.

"I'm here to celebrate Cameron and all the other fallen heroes as a remembrance because we do have to remember them," she said.

She was one the hundreds who came for a parade that marched along various streets in Bulwell followed by a service at St Mary’s Church.

The event was saved after a fundraising appeal hit its target in less than 24 hours.

"Cameron died in service protecting his country, so he gave all," she said.

"He was my baby. He was the youngest of the family and he revelled in his career.

"So it's very important to remember, especially since Cameron actually did this march the year before he died."

In Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, many took part in a parade through the town and gathered for a service at St Michael's Church.

There was also a postbox topper featuring a knitted aeroplane, poppies and saluting fallen soldiers in tribute to those who died in the Halifax bomber crash.

In Leicester, people came together at the War Memorial at Victoria Park for a service.

It came after a parade, which was led by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums and members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and cadets, left De Montfort Hall.

They then made their way to the Arch of Remembrance, ready for the service.

The Lord Bishop of Leicester, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, conducted the service.

A bugler sounded the Last Post before the firing of salutes marking the beginning and the end of the two-minute silence.

Wreaths were laid by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonel Murray Colville, and The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Bhupen Dave, together with representatives of local emergency services, military units and faith communities.

In Ripley, Derbyshire, people commemorated the fallen with a parade and a service at All Saints Church.

The service in the churchyard was led by Rev John Ferguson followed by a two-minute silence and the laying of a wreath at the memorial.

Members of the Royal British Legion, ex-service men and women, territorial and reserve forces, cadets and emergency services were among those who took part in the parade.

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