« Remembrance Sunday, Dunston | Main | A Son Killed in Each War »
Remembrance Sunday, Swalwell
Remembrance Day (nearest Sunday to November 11) "The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month"
The Swalwell War Memorial
is opened by the Earl
of Durham on Easter Monday 1919
Until the early 60s, Remembrance Day in Swalwell was an event to be waited for. Members of The Royal British Legion, local military and TA units plus elements from the local army cadet forces and war veterans would all parade through Swalwell. The parade would start at the RBL building at the bottom of Ruskin Road and would march along Clavering Road, down Masefield Avenue, along Crowley Road swing into the bottom of Napier Road and then turn left on Market Lane to Swalwell War Memorial which was then next to Keelman's Bridge on the Waterside.
It was a grand sight.
Led by a military band the RBL would be flying all their banners and flags, the military units would be in their different uniforms and the veterans would be bedecked in medals. All would be carrying poppy wreaths to lay at the memorial - it was an inspiring sight and despite the solemness of the occasion it did have a kind of festive air if you were just a kid.
It made you feel proud to be British. Sadly this day is no longer what it used to be.