THE 2016 Devon Festival of Remembrance will be held once again in the magnificent surroundings of Exeter Cathedral on Thursday, November 10, starting at 7.30pm.

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines of the Commando Training Centre Lympstone will provide the much-appreciated musical accompaniment, supported by the Chapel Choir of Exeter University.

The Muster, which involves the parade of Standards of Devon’s Royal British Legion Branches, will begin the evening’s proceedings. They will be followed by representative contingents of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and ex-Services’ Associations.

Also taking part will be the largest group of Devon’s youth organisations to date, including the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps, Sea Cadets and the Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Corps.

Other contingents taking part will be drawn from the Combined Cadet Forces of Devon schools together with the Scouts and Guides of Exeter.

For the first time, the Exeter City Police Cadets, Exmouth Community Cadets and Devon and Somerset Fire Cadets will also be on parade. The compère will be David Fitzgerald of BBC Radio Devon.

This year’s event will remember especially the human sacrifice of two of the most devastating battles of the Great War, “The Somme” and “Jutland”.

Both took place in 1916 and involved a substantial number of men from Devon. Their memory must live on.

This Festival of Remembrance is an opportunity for the people of Devon to honour the fallen of the First World War and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Second World War and other conflicts during the last century and in more recent times.

The Royal British Legion safeguards the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces.

The Legion’s work continues unabated; the welfare of the nation’s soldiers, sailors and air force personnel together with their dependants is the Legion’s primary raison d’être. This Festival is a reminder to us all of the sacrifices made.

Tickets are priced at £15, £12.50 and £10 are on sale at Exeter Cathedral Box Office, telephone 01392 285983 or online: Exeter-cathedral.org.uk/boxoffice .

Alan Quick