The parade steps off from Wulfruna Street at 10.30am and the public are encouraged to line the route and then watch the service on St Peter’s Square which takes place afterwards.
Led by the Band of West Midlands Fire Service, the parade will make its way into Princes Square, right in Lichfield Street, right into Exchange Street and into St Peter’s Square. Once assembled in the square, the parade will be joined by civic dignitaries for an outdoor Service of Remembrance.
A 2 minute silence, signalled by the sounding of a gun, will take place at 11am before the laying of wreathes at the city’s Cenotaph. This will be followed by a Service of Remembrance inside St. Peter’s Church.
Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, said that the city council was proud that so many units had wanted to march in this year’s parade: “Wolverhampton has such a strong bond with our Forces community and we’ve had a wonderful response this year from local units and organisations who wish to parade.
“Such a large parade through the city centre will be a real spectacle and is a fitting way to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. I know the public will also come out in their thousands to pay their respects. Come rain or shine they always do and I would encourage people to donate to the RBL’s annual poppy appeal and wear their poppies with pride at the event.
“I would also encourage people to wear their medals or the medals of family members in their memory. I very proudly wear medals that belonged to family members including my uncle who was killed on the Somme 1916, my grandfather who died of lung disease caused by gassing in the First World War, my father who was in a German prisoner of war camp and my mother who was mentioned in dispatches for her part in Operation Chastise.
“The harsh realities of war are all too apparent in the news at the moment; we must never forget the tragic human cost of conflict. That is why it is so important to gather together each year and vow together that we will remember them.”
The public are advised that city centre road closures will be in place on the morning of Sunday 12 November to enable the parade to take place. Wulfruna Street will be closed from 8.30am until 11am. The rest of the parade route will be closed to all traffic from 10.30am to allow the parade to march through safely and will reopen at approximately 10.50am.
