'We must never forget all the sacrifices made'

ON Sunday, November 9, a national service of remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to commemorate the sacrifices and contributions made by all those, military and civilians, in Britain and the Commonwealth during both world wars and in later conflicts.

- Cliff Hathaway MBE - Vice chair, North Staffs Pensioners' Convention

This major service and parade is mirrored in hundreds of towns and cities to recognise those sacrifices and keep the memory of those who fell alive, so please join in.

The origins go back to the end of the First World War in 1918 when at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month an agreement was made to end the fighting and start the peace talks.

As a result, a two-minute silence is recognised at 11am at all the ceremonies.

I took a trip to the First World War battlefields and the horror of it all was clear to see, especially the superbly kept, but far too many, war graves displaying very young casualties from many countries a long way from France.

I regularly attend the ceremony at the Stoke cenotaph as a measure of respect for all those who served and the many civilians killed.

As a man of no religion I often meet people from various religions all joining together in peace.

My parents lived through the Blitz in London before accepting a job transfer to Stoke.