MORE THAN 100 people gathered at the Odd Fellows Memorial in Bromsgrove High Street today to mark Armistice Day.
The service was a particularly poignant one for 84-year-old Bert Sherwood as it was his last event as the Bromsgrove Royal British Legion’s standard bearer.
Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
The former Royal Marine Commando, who served between 1957 and 1967, has undertaken the role for the past seven years.
Bert, who turns 85 in January, told the Standard: “It has been getting too much – not so much Armistice Day but on Remembrance Sunday, I have to hold the standard up for 45 minutes.
“It has been a fantastic honour – Bromsgrove has always been wonderful during Remembrance events – it’s a big parade.
“I will still come to the commemorations, just not as the standard bearer.”
Replacing him next year will be Melvin Jones.
The service itself started just before 11am and, after an introduction from Bromsgrove Town Crier, Kevin Ward, it was led by Rev Ray Khan who also played The Last Post and Reveilles on the bugle.
Army cadets, Royal British Legion representatives, councillors and cadets also attended, along with more than 100 residents.
Rev Khan said: “Bert has been a real stalwart and great standard bearer – as he steps down, I would like to say a huge thank you to him on behalf of the town.
“It was great to see so many people come out today to pay their respects.”
We broadcast the service live on our Bromsgrove Standard Facebook page where it is available to watch here.
