Last surviving member of Normandy company attends Burnley Remembrance Sunday service

Generations came together in Burnley to remember those who lost their lives in war and conflict during the town's annual Remembrance Sunday service.

Veterans, serving Armed Forces personnel, cadets and members of the public joined the commemorations on Sunday, which began with a parade through the town centre before gathering at the Peace Gardens for the service.

Among those attending was 102-year-old Sergeant Richard Brock, a Second World War veteran who has spent more than 80 years remembering the comrades he lost during the conflict.

Sergeant Brock joined the Army aged just 18, serving with the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

At the age of 20, he landed on Gold Beach in Normandy on June 8, 1944, two days after the D-Day landings.

He went on to serve in the campaign around Caen, including at Hill 112, before continuing through Europe.

In Holland, he took part in Operation Market Garden and helped liberate the city of 's-Hertogenbosch. He later fought in the Battle of the Bulge before advancing into Germany.

Towards the end of the war, Sergeant Brock was ordered to drive an officer to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp shortly after its liberation. He has since spoken about the horrific conditions he witnessed and the suffering of those who survived.

Of the 130 men in his company who landed in Normandy, only 19 returned home after almost a year of fighting. Sergeant Brock is now the last surviving member of that group.

Earlier this month, he was appointed an Ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial in recognition of his commitment to ensuring those who died are never forgotten.

The service was conducted by the Rt Rev Dr Joe Kennedy, Bishop of Burnley, alongside Father David Featherstone, Parish Priest of the Parish of the Good Samaritan, and Father Roger Parker, Royal British Legion Chaplain and parish priest of Saint Catherine's.

The Mayor of Burnley, Coun Saeed Chaudhary, joined the clergy, veterans, representatives of the Royal British Legion, cadet groups and local organisations in paying their respects.

The service included prayers, readings and music, followed by the laying of wreaths at the memorial stone in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the families whose lives were changed by conflict.

Speaking about the men he served alongside, Sergeant Brock said: "They are always in my thoughts. I have always said that they are the heroes and I am honoured to carry on their memory."

His presence at Sunday's service was a poignant reminder of the personal stories behind Remembrance, with the memories of those who never returned continuing to live on through the veterans who survived.

The involvement of younger generations, alongside veterans and serving personnel, also provided an opportunity to pass those stories on and ensure the sacrifices made more than 80 years ago, and in conflicts since, are remembered.

Darwen Brass Band and Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College Choir also took part, with the choir delivering a moving performance of The Prayer.

Burnley's commemorations continue on Wednesday, November 11, with an Armistice Day service at the Peace Gardens from 10.50am.

The national two-minute silence will take place at 11am, with members of the public welcome to attend.