THOUSANDS of people across Kirklees will pay their respects next month to those who fought and lost their lives during military conflict.
And services are expected to be even more poignant in Huddersfield this year with the loss of four local soldiers in Afghanistan.
Pte Jake Hartley, 20, of New Mill, Pte Anton Frampton, 20, of Longwood, and Pte Daniel Wilford, 21, of Cowlersley, were killed in March when their armoured Warrior was blown up by a Taliban improvised explosive device in the biggest single loss of life in the conflict.
And Meltham’s Private Tom Wroe, 18, from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s), was shot dead in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district last month.
Kirklees Mayor Clr David Ridgway said: “I have attended remembrance services in Slaithwaite since the mid 90s and what we have seen is a growing number of people attending year-on-year.
“That is undoubtedly due to the loss our servicemen and women, latterly in Iraq and lately in Afghanistan.
“I would imagine there will be an increase in attendance again in view of those touched by the loss of the Yorkshire Regiment soldiers.”
Clr Ridgway, who is supporting the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Trust as his mayoral charity, will be attending the service in Huddersfield, which is being held in Greenhead Park this year.
He will be joined by servicemen and women, members of Brownies, Scouts and other voluntary groups as well as politicians and dignitaries.
The parade will take place from the lower gates in Greenhead Park at 10am on Sunday, November 11, and proceed to the War Memorial where a service will be held at 10.50am.
Wreaths and poppy crosses will be laid at the Belvedere and two minutes silence observed.
GOLCAR: Assemble at Manor Road at 10.15am for a service at the Jubilee Square War memorial at 11am and then a parade to Golcar Royal British Legion Club with a salute outside the Rose and Crown. There may be a short stop at the Providence Church for the congregation to join the parade.
DENBY DALE: There will be a service at Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Drive Lane at 9.30am followed by short service and wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial at 10.50am.
HOLMFIRTH: Service to be held at 10.45am in Holy Trinity Parish Church followed by a wreath-laying service at the war memorial. A wreath will be laid in church and then taken to the war memorial for a noon ceremony. Refreshments will be provided in Holme Valley Hospital after the service.
BATLEY: Procession assembles at Batley Market Place at 10.15am for the march off at 10.35am to Batley War Memorial Gardens for 10.55am service. The procession will re-form in Cambridge Street after the service and return to the town hall where refreshments will be served.
DEWSBURY: Procession assembles at Dewsbury Town Hall at 10am for the march off at 10.10am to Dewsbury Minster for a service at 10.30am. The procession will re-form after the service and wreaths will be laid at the Longcauseway War Memorial. Refreshments will be available in Dewsbury Town Hall for those taking part.
HECKMONDWIKE: Meet at 11.45am round the Green Park War Memorial in Heckmondwike for service at noon.
HONLEY: Sunday, November 11, at 10am Service of Remembrance at St Mary's Parish Church, Honley. Parade to war memorial from 10.45am for a Service of Remembrance and laying of wreaths. Following the service the parade will re-form and march back to the village centre.
KIRKBURTON: There will be a service at Kirkburton Parish Church at 10.30am. Wreaths will be laid in church and at the war memorial following the service.
LONGWOOD: Sunday, November 11: Service at St Mark’s Church at 10.30am followed by a wreath-laying at noon at the Longwood Gate War Memorial.
EAST BRIERLEY/BIRKENSHAW: Sunday, November 11: Short dedication of Birkenshaw War Memorial in St. Paul’s Church at 9.45am. The parade will muster in front of the Community Hall for the march off at 10.15am through Birkenshaw on Bradford Road to the war memorial on South View Road, East Brierley where there will be the Act of Remembrance at 10.40am.
MARSDEN: Assemble at the Marsden Royal British Legion at 10.20am for the march off at 10.40am to the war memorial in Marsden Park for a wreath-laying ceremony and two minutes silence at 11am. The parade will re-form after the ceremony and march to St Bartholomew's Church for a Remembrance Service at approximately 11.20am after which it will return via Station Road and Dirker Drive to the Royal British Legion HQ for dismissal.
MELTHAM: Assemble in Carlile Street at 10.20am for the march off at 10.30am to St Bartholomew’s Church where a service will be held at 10.45am. Wreaths will be laid on the war memorial in the church grounds following the service. It will be attended for the first time by a Deputy Lt of West Yorkshire who is Prof Bob Cryan, vice chancellor at Huddersfield University.
MIRFIELD: Assemble at 1.45pm in Lowlands Road for the march off at 2pm via Station Road and Huddersfield Road for the service and wreath-laying at the Ings Grove Park War Memorial. After the service the procession will return to Lowlands Road for dismissal. Refreshments will be available at the Fire Station and Mirfield Constitutional Club in St Paul’s Road.
NEW MILL: Sunday November 11: 10.30am service in New Mill Parish Church. Procession at 11.30am with Holmfirth Air Training Corps into New Mill for wreath-laying at noon in the Remembrance Room of New Mill Club followed by refreshments.
SLAITHWAITE: Service in St James’s Parish Church at 9.45am followed by wreath-laying service at the war memorial at 11am.
SPENBOROUGH: Assemble at Cleckheaton Town Hall at 2.15pm for the march off at 2.30pm. The service will be held at St Paul’s RC Church at 3pm. Wreaths will be laid at Memorial Park en route to the church. The parade will not re-form after the service.
ARMITAGE BRIDGE: St Paul's Church - Service at 9.15am followed by an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 10.00am.
Additional services begin in Huddersfield on Saturday, November 3, with the Dedication of Garden of Remembrance.
People wishing to attend should assemble at 10.45am in Market Place for a service at 11am.
Other planned events include:
Dewsbury: Wednesday, November 7: Assemble at Dewsbury Town Hall at 10.45am to process to Longcauseway for the Dedication of Garden of Remembrance at 11am. Refreshments after the dedication in Dewsbury Town Hall.
Meltham: Sunday, November 4: following morning service at St Bartholomew’s Parish Church 10.15am/10.30am
Mirfield: Friday, November 9: 10.45am parade will gather at the Ings Grove Park war memorial for a short service at 11am. Refreshments will be served in Trinity Church Sunday School following the service.
Birdsedge: Thursday, November 9: 10.45am at the Penistone Road War Memorial in Birdsedge.
