VE Day: Wolverhampton falls silent as war dead remembered 72 years on
A normally bustling city square fell silent for two minutes as veterans, workers and shoppers came together to commemorate Victory in Europe Day.
The ceremony at the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton, marked the 72nd anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, bringing to a close almost six years of bloodshed which had left 382,700 members of the British Armed Forces and 67,100 civilians dead.
Royal British Legion veterans from Walsall and Oldbury joined colleagues in Wolverhampton for yesterday's(MON) moving service, which included the Last Post and Reveille, prayers led by Reverend David Wright of St Peter's Collegiate Church, and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Wolverhampton mayor Councillor Barry Findlay said he felt privileged to take part in the service.
Addressing the crowd, he said: "Today affords us the opportunity to remember the courage and bravery shown by millions of men and women, who served, and in many cases, died for their country during the Second World War.
"That we are here today as free men and women is a testament to those who helped our country at its time of greatest need, both in the conflict zone and on the Home Front.
"Seventy-two years may have passed but we will forever honour those who gave their lives."
He joined the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Sylvia Parkin and Mrs Pat Johnson, representing the Wolverhampton RBL.
Scores of bystanders applauded the flag bearers and veterans as they marched across the Square for a reception in the Mayor's Parlour.
Afterwards Korean veteran Fred Bunce, aged 88, of Penn, Wolverhampton, said: "You've got to think of those that didn't come home."
Mr Bunce, chairman of Wolverhampton and District United Ex-Service Council, added: "As an ex-Royal Navy man myself, I especially think of those, including Merchant seamen, who never came home and lie in a watery grave."
Graham Morris, 78, of Bloxwich, Walsall, served with the Staffordshire Regiment during his National Service, travelling to Kenya to help oversee the country's upcoming independence.
He said: "To carry this Regimental Standard is a privilege and an honour."
