Hundreds pay their tributes in Bradford on Remembrance Sunday

At around 11am, Bradfordians gathered at the Cenotaph for the annual Parade and Service of Remembrance.

The day brought together ex and current servicemen and woman, and also others, who may have lost family members in conflict, keen to show their support.

The ceremony was led by the Dean of Bradford, The Very Reverend Andy Bowerman, and was attended by the Lord Mayor Councillor Martin Love, Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe and Labour MPs Naz Shah and Imran Hussain.

Army vehicles in Centenary Square (Image: Harleigh Ankerson)

Neil Thornton, who served in the army for 22 years, took twin sons, Nick and Jake, to the service.

He said: "I grew up on Thorpe Edge. The army has made my life an awful lot better.

"I have mates that got shot in the chest in Bosnia which is why I always attend the Remembrance service.

Neil Thornton with twin sons, Nick and Jake (Image: Newsquest)

"I also make sure my twin sons (who turn 13 on Monday) take part in the day.

"There are a lot of good people who should be here and are not. That's why it is key to represent them."

The Civic Parade formed at City Hall at 10.15am and made its way out onto Channing Way at 10.30am, ready to step off to march to the Cenotaph at 10.40am.

Once there, Rev Bowerman said a few words before the two minutes silence took place.

The service got underway at 11am (Image: Harleigh Ankerson)

Hymns were sung and prayers were read before civic representatives laid wreaths.
Mufti Ghulam Rasool, Council for Mosques, joined the reverend for the Act of Commitment.

The service concluded with the crowd singing the national anthem, God Save Our King.

At around 11.40am, the parade marched off back to City Park where the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Cllr Love took the salute at the march past.

Wreaths were laid (Image: Harleigh Ankerson)

Lieutenant Watts, officer in command at the cadet forces in Bradford and ex-soldier of 13 years, went with his son Luke.

He said: "It is a great tradition that we have had in this country and in the commonwealth to keep this going.

Lieutenant Watts with son Luke (Image: Newsquest)

"We should never forget people who have sacrificed their lives for this country. It does bring it all back every year but it is a proud moment."

Reverend Graham Dutton, lead minister at Saint Arnold's, also talked about the significance of the day.

Reverend Graham Dutton (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important services in the year.

"I always remember my friend who I sat next to in school. He was killed while in action in Afghanistan.

"It is not just something that is in the past either. This year, there is the added element of thinking about the war in Ukraine."