Crowds line the streets for Remembrance Day parade in Halifax

People from across Calderdale lined the streets as the parade marched through the town centre, before gathering outside Halifax Minster for the Service of Remembrance.

The rainy weather didn’t stop people of all ages from coming out to be part of the commemorations.

Major Charlie Helmn, assistant regiment secretary for the Yorkshire Regiment, said: “Remembrance is important to all the soldiers, but especially to the Yorkshire Regiment, and we’re accompanied this weekend by solders from Aachen, the twin town of Halifax.

“I’ve been escorting them all weekend and they’ve been fantastic ambassadors for their regiment, and their country.

“You can see by the effort they’ve made to be here, and the effort of around 30 people from the Aachen civic groups, how important it is for them.

“It’s a fitting tribute when you’ve got the German Chancellor in London, and the Germans here in Halifax. I think it sends the right message out to the world.

“It’s a fantastic turn out. I’m sure it will be same country-wide. Just a pity about the weather.”

Lenny Szrama, 53, from Huddersfield, said: “I think for what people endured we can go through a bit of rain!

“For me, a lot of it is to do with my own family. I know a lot of people talk about Remembrance, but when I look back at my own family history, and my partner’s, between us we have about 15 relatives who fought in the Great War.

“Five of mine were killed, and certainly one of Steph’s, my partner, was. We thought it was really important to remember that fact, and that it is a family loss.”

Lolia Matty, 52, and Mark Dodgson, 56, were both in the town centre.

“We’re here to show our support, to honour all the people that died in the war,” said Mark.

“It’s important to come out and take part in it,” said Lolia. “What they did gave us the world we’ve got today.”

Graham I’Anson, 45, from Mixenden, said: “A lot of my family have been in the services - Army, Navy, RAF, serving now.

“It’s about respect and honour. It means a lot to me, and there should be more of it.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these boys and girls.

“I come to a parade every year, wherever I am.”

Mark Lovick, 42, and Sheryl Forsyth, 38, from Warley, were there for the parade.

“I was in the Army for 18 years,” said Mark, “so I’ve always been to Remembrance Services.

“I also work with the Ambulance station, so we’ve all come down together.

“I was a Staff Sergeant in the Army in the Royal Corps of Signals.

“It’s important every year, but I think it’s got a certain resonance with people because it’s the 100th anniversary.

“It’s just part of who I am that I have always come to the Remembrance parade, we both have.”

“I think it’s really important that people do have a day to come together,” said Sheryl, “because it’s hard to remember all the time, and people do forget, so it’s really lovely that people come together in this way.”

Mark added: “I know a lot of people are remembering the First World War this year, but I knew soldiers who died, so I remember them today.”

Gary Woodcock, 45, from Queensbury, who served in the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire for nine years as a Private, said: “I’ve come here to watch my two kids, Adam and Sophie, on parade. They’re Army Cadets.

“I did it many years ago myself, so it’s their turn now.

“The generations are disappearing and it’s got to be passed on and kept alive.

“It’s something we can’t afford to just put on a shelf and leave.”