Bristol City Remembers World War II Martyrs of Kohima

Guwahati: Bristol city in England fell silent on Sunday as thousands lined the streets of the city to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for their country at Kohima on November 11 during World War II

Silence pervaded as thousands of people stood for paying tribute to the departed brave souls in Bristol city center. As per a report published in Bristol Live, people gathered in huge crowds for the Remembrance Service at the Bristol cenotaph and commemorations to mark 100 years since the end of World War I.

As per sources, it needs to be mentioned that the service was organized by the Lord Mayor’s Office and the Royal British Legion and attended by civic dignitaries including the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, honorary alderman, the Lord Lieutenant, and Deputy Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of Bristol, veterans from across the city and troops.

It needs to be mentioned here that thousands of people turn out every year in Remembrance Sunday services all across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset.

Accordingly, the day of remembrance started at 6 am with a lone piper playing Battle’s O’er outside Bristol Cathedral.

Meanwhile, as per the report by Bristol Live, commemorations started at 6 am, at College Green, and a military parade began assembling at 9.30 am.

Like every year this year too there were a number of road closures in place in the city center as thousands come to pay their respects.

On the other hand, the military parade, led by Royal Marine Reserves Commanding Officer Colonel Clint Read, set off from College Green to make its way to the cenotaph.

Bristol fell silent in their thoughts at 11 am for the two-minute silence, which concluded with the sound of a gun.

At the end of the silence the Last Post was played, the Ode to the Fallen recited, a lament played and the Kohima Epitaph was given.

It may be noted that at nearly every service, the famous words of the Kohima Epitaph are read out:

“When you go home, Tell them of us and say,

“For your tomorrow, We gave our today.”

The epitaph is normally read after the Exhortation, which is read after the Last Post is sounded over the parade.

It needs to be mentioned that the epitaph is carved onto the memorial of the 2nd British Division remembering the men who were killed in the Battle of Kohima in Northeast India.

Meanwhile, wreaths were then laid by organizations, dignitaries and war veterans from across the city before a number of readings. Crowds then joined to sing the hymn ‘O God our help in ages past’, before prayers were said by the Bishop of Clifton.

As per reports, a blessing of the service was also given by the Bishop of Bristol before the reveille and the national anthem. The parade mustered and made its way back to College Green to applause from the people of Bristol.

Meanwhile, the Kohima Education Trust also recalled those who lost their lives during World War II at Kohima and on its official Twitter handle stated on Sunday: “Today we remember all those who have their lives in service to their country. And in particular, those who fought at Kohima in 1944.”

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