HUNDREDS of people gathered in front of the War Memorial at St Giles, in Oxford, yesterday morning to mark Remembrance Day.

Representatives of the armed forces were joined by forces veterans, civic and religious leaders, members of the emergency services, youth groups and other organisations at the War Memorial at the junction of Banbury and Woodstock roads.

Military units, organisations and community groups gathered at 10am at the junction of Beaumont Street and St Giles' and then marched up St Giles' from 10.30am.

The service, which was led by the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor James Fry and by the City Rector, Revered Anthony Buckley, started at 10.45am and a two minute silence was observed at 11am.

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Cllr Fry said: "Today we come together to remember those who lost their lives in the conflicts for Britain and the Commonwealth and this year I'm delighted to welcome to the service representatives from our twinned cities.

"Today reminds us how important it is that we come together as a city and as a county to honour those who sacrificed their lives."

Penny Faust, of the Oxford Jewish Community, spoke after the Act of Penitence and said: "We must challenge those who foster conflict, we must denounce injustice whenever we see it and we must defend human rights in all circumstances.

"We should promote the way of compromise and reconciliation and build bridges of respect, trust and friendship for all humanity."

Jawaid Malik, of the Oxford Muslim Community, and Chinta Kallie, of the Oxford Hindu Community, also prayed for the fallen.

Penny Jaques, of Humanists UK, said: "Humanists pay tribute to all those who have died in war  some where inspired by a belief that they were fighting for a just cause, others simply accepted their duty to their country.

"We honour them all for their bravery and self-sacrifice, many of these men and women had no expectation of any reward in an afterlife, they were inspired by the rights and needs of their fellow human beings."

Members from the Quaker community also attended the service and held banners reading 'say no to war.'

Mina Remedios, a member of the Quakers, said: "We remember all the people who died in any war today, and we are working together for peace and justice for people of all faiths."

Representatives from the city and county council, Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Help for Heroes, and Oxford's twin cities of Grenoble, Leiden, Bonn and Wrocaw also attended.

The service was also interpreted in British Sign Language by Christine DeBlase, who stood at the junction of Woodstock Road and St Giles.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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