‘For your tomorrow we gave our today’: Crowds line the streets of Whittlesey to mark Armistice Day

Silence fell as Whittlesey marked 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Cambs Times: Crowds lined the pavements as the Peterborough Highland Pipe Band led the Whittlesey Remembrance Day parade into Market Street. Picture(s): HARRY RUTTER Crowds lined the pavements as the Peterborough Highland Pipe Band led the Whittlesey Remembrance Day parade into Market Street. Picture(s): HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)

Crowds lined the pavements as the Peterborough Highland Pipe Band led the parade into Market Street this afternoon.

Civic dignitaries and community groups took it in turns to lay wreaths at the War Memorial as a shadow of a soldier standing nearby reflected upon it.

Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. Jaspal Singh, was the first to approach the memorial and pay his respects near a lone Tommy silhouette.

He was followed by RAF Wing Commander Martin Thorner, Mayor of Whittlesey Councillor Julie Windle and Chief Inspector Nick Church from Cambridgeshire Police and a representative from the US air force.

North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay, said: “It was a great honour to lay a wreath at both March, Cambridgeshire and Whittlesey War Memorials today.

“It was wonderful to see so many constituents turn out to pay their respects and give thanks for the people who gave their lives in order that we are able to live ours in safety and peace.”

Those who had also fought and lost their lives in the Falklands War, Gulf War and the Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Royal Anglian Regiments were also remembered.

After The Last Post was sounded, and a minutes silence observed, members of the public bowed their heads as “When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today” was read out loud.

Gordon Stuttard, who has lived in Whittlesey since 1971, said it meant a lot to the community.

“This means an awful lot to the town, this year more than any other.

“There has been fantastic support from everyone involved and it is great to see so many here.”

Mary Burton, who works in Whittlesey, came out to see the parade with her three-year-old son, Freddie.

She added: “There was a great turnout and I thought it was very moving.

“It was lovely to see so many young children here paying their respects too.”

Cambs Times: Steve Barclay MP at the remembrance day commemoration last Sunday at Whittlesey . Picture: HARRY RUTTER Steve Barclay MP at the remembrance day commemoration last Sunday at Whittlesey . Picture: HARRY RUTTER (Image: HARRY RUTTER)