Remembrance Day Services

In South Street, you will be able to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal by buying a poppy from one of the RBL’s volunteers this Wednesday 5^th and Saturday 8^th November – they will be located by the War Memorial along with a World War 2 American Jeep.

On Sunday 9^th November, the Town Council is organising Dorchester’s Remembrance Sunday parade and service which will include soldiers from the Rifles Brigade and many representatives of veterans’ groups, public services and youth organisations.  The parade, which attracts hundreds of participants, begins at 10.45am with the service starting at 10.55am at the War Memorial.  The whole community is invited to gather at the junction close to the War Memorial, where the roads will be closed from 10.30am onwards.

On 9^th November, there will be free parking in all of Dorset Council’s town centre car parks.

At 12.30pm on 9^th November, a short service is held in Fordington churchyard to remember the German prisoners of war who died in Dorchester at the end of the First World War. Most of the 45 prisoners who died in the camp, died as a result of the flu pandemic in 1918-19.  All the German prisoners who died were buried in Fordington Cemetery where a beautiful stone memorial is now located.  The service of Remembrance on 9^th November will, this year, be held in the churchyard behind St George’s Church and include readings from the Lubbecke Society and music from the Durnovaria Silver Band.

Tuesday 11^th November is Armistice Day – the day that the First World War ended in Europe.  On that day, the community can either join members of the Royal Navy Association for a brief service and two-minute silence at 11.00am at the War Memorial on South Walks or join the Chairman of Dorset Council, Cllr Stella Jones, and other dignitaries at the large Armistice Day Remembrance Service at County Hall starting at 10.50am.