Schoolchildren and students from Suffolk New College marked the 99th year since the 1918 armistice at separate ceremonies in Ipswich.
Pupils from five primary schools in the town joined members of the Royal British Legion and civic dignitaries for a special ceremony at Ipswich’s Fields of Honour in the Old Cemetery.
These two sections of the cemetery are for the fallen of the first and second world wars – and every year are visited by Ipswich schoolchildren on November 11, or the nearest school day to that date.
This year pupils from St Margaret’s, St Mary’s, St Johns and Sidegate primaries were joined by youngsters from Springfield Junior for the event.
Meanwhile, at Suffolk New College students left their classrooms for a short ceremony to mark the sacrifice made by service personnel.
Several hundred students and staff paid their respects to the armed forces ahead of Armistice Day during the remembrance parade outside the main college building.
The event was organised by the public services department whose students had met up with the Royal Marines earlier in the year.
Curriculum co-ordinator for public services, Martin Memory, said: “Wearing poppies and acknowledging the efforts of the fallen is something that as a country we do very well. As a college which teaches many young people who will go on and become our armed forces of the future, this annual event is an important part of our calendar.”
Yesterday’s events were the prelude to Remembrance Sunday events across the country. In Ipswich attention will switch to Christchurch Park where the annual parade and service will start at 10.50am.
The service, which is being organised by the Royal British Legion, will be attended by the Mayor of Ipswich Sarah Barber, local veterans, cadets, civic leaders and the public. After the service, the Lord Lieutenant, Clare, Countess of Euston, will take the salute near Christchurch Mansion.
On Sunday afternoon, the Ipswich branch of the British Korean Veterans’ Association is dedicating its renovated memorial at around 1.30pm. The Deputy Mayor, councillor Roger Fern, will attend a short service in the Millennium Cemetery with veterans and family members.
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