Generations came together at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford on Remembrance Day to pay tribute to fallen servicemen and women, current veterans and those still serving in the armed forces.
Broughton House Remembrance Day Service
Captain Bob McMillan he lay the wreath outside, pictured after with Sienna 8 from St Philips School
The moving ceremony was attended by residents, staff, relatives, supporters, community representatives and pupils from nearby St Philip’s RC Primary School.
D-Day veteran Peter Belcher, 101, was among the residents who took part in the service. Peter, who was a sergeant in the Parachute Regiment during World War Two, read the Lord’s Prayer.
Captain Bob McMillan, 93, who served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, laid the wreath.
Major Andy Dinning, 81, who served as a commando with the Royal Marines, read the poem In Flanders Fields, and Major Mike Winstanley MBE, 78, who served with the Cheshire Regiment, read the Exhortation. Private Archie Scott, who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, read The Kohima Epitaph.
Residents wore their Broughton House blazers, medals and berets for the ceremony.
The service also included the placing of five Lamplights of Peace from World War Two alongside an original lamplight from the 1916 Battle of the Somme.
The lamplights are traditional oil lanterns which represent the ‘lights of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war, and honour the ultimate sacrifice by the people who served in the first and second world wars.
Outdoor events company Challenge the Wild is the custodian of the lamplights. Its founder Dan Searson, a former captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, led the service at Broughton House.
He said:
“It’s incredibly important to have a service of this kind, not just to remember those who fell, but also to recognise the current veteran community. I was very proud to lead the service, surrounded by such amazing individuals who have given their time, life and service. I was very humbled.”
Jane Green, director of care at Broughton House, said of the occasion:
“It was very special. It’s the most important day in our entire calendar and it was a pleasure to share it with all of our residents and so many of their relatives, along with community partners, the school, Challenge the Wild and local religious and police representatives.
“Remembrance Day is about honouring the fallen and those who have served, but also gives an opportunity to reflect on how important it is to protect our democracy and our values into the future.”
Peter Belcher said:
“Remembrance Day is a day when we remember our many comrades, and it’s important to involve the next generation so they learn about our history and the sacrifices made.”
Broughton House was established in 1916 to care for soldiers and sailors injured during World War One. Since then, it has cared for more than 8,000 veterans.
It has been redeveloped into a complex with a 64-bed care home, including two 16-bed households dedicated to veterans with dementia, as well as independent living apartments, an array of modern facilities, a museum, gym, hairdressing and barber’s salon, and a veterans’ mess.
There is also an Armed Forces Support Hub, which provides support for elderly and working age veterans living in the community.
