TO mark the milestone of the centenary of the end of the First World War and to remember the brave servicemen and women who gave their lives for our freedom, there was a commemoration held on the Castle grounds on Tuesday, October 30.

The Bude and Stratton branch of the Royal British Legion organised the event in collaboration with Bude-Stratton Town Council. The branch created a Field of Remembrance on the Castle lawns, adding small wooden crosses to signify and honour the men from Bude who had fallen in the war. In addition, Bude-Stratton Town Council laced representative silhouette figures at the periphery of the Field of Remembrance, to signify those involved in war and to think about the armed forces today.

The silhouette figures were gifted to Bude-Stratton Town Council as part of the There But Not There project, which is organised and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. This project has been described by the There But Not There organisers as ‘the defining centenary commemoration of the end of the 1914 to 1918 war, installed where the men and women came from across the country, back in the communities they left behind’.

Mayor, Cllr Bob Willingham, led proceedings at the commemoration and spoke proudly of the men and women from Bude who served not only in the First World War, but the Second World War. He said during his speech: “Bude’s war memorial on Shalder Hill was unveiled in 1922, inscribed with the names of the 64 men from Bude that did not come home from the ‘Great War’. A further 38 names were added to the memorial following World War Two.

“With each passing generation, I hope that we can remember our yesterdays and look forward to our tomorrows and that we remember with humility, all those who fought in every war or conflict and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the liberty we have now.”

He then handed over to Deacon Debbie Marsh, the chaplain for the British Legion, for a blessing. Poppy Appeal organiser, Godfrey Harrison, said: “The commemoration held today and the Field of Remembrance we have organised is not just in remembrance of those who served in World War One, but in all conflicts to date. It also includes all armed forces and civil forces organisations and associations. No one is forgotten.”

Bude-Stratton Town Council have offered the There But Not There silhouette figures to local places of worship to use in future commemorations.