AddThis SmartLayers

Armistice "affront" to old soldiers

The Doncaster Free Press is joining forces with old soldiers to do battle against their local council – which won’t be holding a traditional two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day.

The former servicemen are seeing it as a snub – even though November 11 falls at the weekend, when most council offices are closed and the staff are at home.

The protests started after council officials said the annual silence – which has been marked for the past four years by the Mayor and senior officers at the Mansion House entrance – would not take place because November 11 is a Saturday.

The protesters are planning a short ceremony of their own at the same spot.

And they are demanding a rethink by Doncaster Council.

Ted Lockwood,(76), told the paper: “People of my age are a quiet generation but we feel very strongly about this. I am delighted the Doncaster Free Press is doing something about it.”

A council spokesman said the act of remembrance on the 11th – normally in the week – was for the benefit of the staff. The mayor and chief executive would be marking the occasion at a separate public event on the Saturday.

And despite the November 11 events being cancelled, the British Legion-organised Remembrance Sunday parade and church service in Doncaster will go ahead as normal the following day.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or e-mail us now