HUNDREDS of people stood in the town centre as Bury remembered those who gave their lives for their country.

On Remembrance Sunday the leaders of Bury, both religious and political, came together with the armed forces, emergency services and groups from across the borough.

Three parades marched through the town centre honouring those who fell while during both world wars and all forms of conflict since.

After marching from Bury Town Hall in Knowsley Street to the parish church, about 70 wreaths were laid by representatives of military regiments, local businesses, dignitaries and council leaders.

Joining the officials this year was Bernard Potaux, Deputy Mayor of Valenciennes in the Hauts-de-France region, where army cadets visit each year. He was accompanied by two standard bearers.

Those laying wreaths then entered the church for a service conducted by the Rev Canon Ian McVeety.

Before the parade, Col Eric Davidson MBE DL, said: “It’s been important in 2017 because of the Passchendaele anniversary.

“We have had Gallipoli, The Somme and next year is the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

“It’s bigger, bigger in Bury than it has ever been. Today can’t be anything else than remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As they say, ‘they gave their today for our tomorrow’.”

Each of the three parades was led by a marching band and four Assault Pioneers carrying axes led the procession.

Pioneer Phil Massam explained their place at the front had its roots in the Crimean War when the Pioneers led the battle from the front.

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band of Drums (Lancashire) led the first parade which also included the MG Platoon, X-Company Fifth Fusiliers, B Detachment 207 Field Hospital and the Fusiliers Association.

The Lancashire Fusiliers played an important part in the parade and the regiment has a long history in Bury and to date they are the only group to have been given the freedom of the town. The Fusilier Museum is in Moss Street.

The second parade to march the route from Knowsley Street, along Haymarket Street and to the church at The Rock was made up of the various cadet units. The air, army and sea cadets were all represented, as were the Scouts and Guides.

The final parade to approach the parish church was led by Tottington Public Band and included the fire service and the Mayoral procession.

Mayor of Bury, Cllr Dorothy Gunther and her Consort, Michael Gunther, Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mike Connolly and his consort Ian Hargreaves led the Mayor’s party.

They were followed by Bury North MP James Frith, the leader of the council, Cllr Rishi Shori, Conservative party leader, Cllr James Daly and Liberal Democrat party leader, Cllr Tim Pickstone. Once all had assembled at the war memorial in front of the Bury Parish Church the Last Post sounded at 10.58am announcing the beginning of the two minutes silence.

Then wreaths were laid by around 70 different people representing all kinds of organisations.

The Mayor accompanied by Supt Rick Jackson of Greater Manchester Police laid the first wreath on behalf of the townspeople of the Bury.

Groups as diverse as the University of the Third Age, the Beavers, East Lancashire Railway and Asda all paid their respects with a wreath of poppies.

Throughout the wreath laying the bands formed up around The Rock played hymn including Abide With Me and All People That On Earth Do Dwell.

Rev Canon Ian McVeety pronounced a benediction in front of the hundreds of people who had gathered in The Rock, before the Mayoral party entered the church for a service, where the Mayor gave a Bible reading, John, 15:12-17.

She said: “Jesus said: ‘This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.’”

Following the service the Mayor took the salute at a march past outside the church.