Members of the Armed Forces who have lost their lives in conflicts will "never be forgotten" as the annual Remembrance Day commemorations have taken on an added resonance this year.
Wreath-laying ceremonies have been held today (Tuesday 11th November) across North Yorkshire as a mark of respect for all those who have lost their lives in wars.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of Second World War, and events were staged in May to commemorate Victory in Europe (VE) Day as well as in August for Victory in Japan (VJ) Day.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
“The annual Remembrance Day offers us all a moment to reflect on all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
“With each passing year, it is so important that we remember those who have lost their lives in conflicts, and we will never forget the price they have paid.
“We are indebted to their bravery and service and we should always have that in our thoughts not just on Remembrance Day but throughout the whole year.”
Ceremonies which saw commemorative wreaths laid and a two-minute silence held at 11am today were organised by North Yorkshire Council at County Hall in Northallerton and the Civic Centre in Harrogate.
Other ceremonies were also staged by the authority at Ryedale House in Malton, Mercury House in Richmond, Belle Vue Square in Skipton and Scarborough Town Hall.
North Yorkshire Council’s chair, Cllr George Jabbour, said:
“Having had the privilege of joining a number of events over the past couple of weeks to observe remembrance, I witnessed firsthand the enormous respect that communities across North Yorkshire hold for the bravery of our country’s servicemen and women.
“From parades and concerts to church services and wreath-laying ceremonies, these acts of commemoration, although simple, signify the boundless gratitude that we all owe to our Armed Forces, who have always protected the freedoms that we enjoy.
“Whether it was VE Day back in May, VJ Day three months ago or today, 2025 has been a special year as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.”
North Yorkshire has a proud history associated with the Armed Forces which dates back more than a century, and there are 10,770 military personnel in the county – one of the largest numbers nationally.
North Yorkshire is home to Catterick Garrison, which is one of the largest military bases in the country, and the county also has among the highest numbers of veterans nationally.
There were 29,831 former members of the Armed Forces living in North Yorkshire, according to data from the 2021 Census.
North Yorkshire Council’s Armed Forces champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, was a reservist in the Armed Forces for 30 years.
He said:
“North Yorkshire has extremely strong links to the Armed Forces, and those who are still serving today should be given the utmost respect for all they do to protect and serve the nation.
“Remembrance Day is a moment to reflect on the past and remember those who have lost their lives and are no longer with us.
“But it is also important for us to remember the present and all those who are involved in the military as they continue such a proud and important tradition for all those who went before them.”
VE Day marks the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945, when the Allies accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement to the nation in a radio broadcast at 3pm on May 8, 1945, that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.
Meanwhile, VJ Day is held annually on August 15 and marks the anniversary when Imperial Japan surrendered in the Second World War, effectively bringing the conflict to an end.
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