Blackburn and Darwen remembers

Hundreds remembered the fallen 100 years after end of World War One at two special Remembrance Services in the borough.

People from all over Blackburn with Darwen gathered together to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in World War One.

This year marked 100 years since the war was declared over, with people remembering both the lives lost and the end of the conflict in 1918. More than 4,000 soldiers died from the borough in the conflict, and more than 700,000 across the UK.

A service was held at Blackburn Cathedral and was attended by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Pat McFall, the leader of the Council, Councillor Mohammed Khan, Blackburn MP Kate Hollern and Harry Catherall, Chief Executive of the Council.

Blackburn Cathedral’s Young People’s Choir sang during the service which was led by

Following the service at the Cathedral, a parade travelled from King William Street to the Corporation Park Gardens of Remembrance for a wreath laying service.

Wreaths and messages were laid by the Mayor, MP, dignitaries and armed forces representatives and the crowd fell silent to remember the sacrifices made by those lost in World War One.

A service and wreath-laying was held at St Peter’s Church in in Darwen and Bold Venture Park, where Deputy Mayor Councillor Jim Shorrock and Deputy Chief Executive of the Council Denise Park paid their respects.

A further service was held at St Paul’s in Hoddlesden with wreath-laying at the Hoddlesden War Memorial.

Councillor Mohammed Khan said:

The annual Remembrance is always an important, moving and special occasion, but this year was even more so as it was the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War One.

So many people came together to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many during the war. It is even more important on this milestone anniversary that we pay tribute to them and reflect upon these terrible conflicts and brave individuals who are gone but certainly not forgotten.”