THE Tavistock area will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with a series of events to remember and honour those who laid down their lives in the conflict.

One such event will be led by Tavistock’s town crier. On Sunday, November 11, David Turner will be presenting a specially written cry in the town’s Bedford Square, in front of Tavistock Town Hall, at 7.05pm.

The international cry, which will start in New Zealand, will be travelling around the world, with more than 140 town criers in various countries all voicing ‘A Cry for Peace Around the World’.

Mr Turner, who has been Tavistock’s town crier for eight years, said: ‘As part of a nationally organised event I shall be presenting a specially written cry in Tavistock.

‘I am honoured to be a part of the commemorations of the ending of the First World War and to take part in this historic international event to commemorate the end of the Great War and to recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by the men and women from our own community.’

The ever popular Tavistock Remembrance Sunday parade will begin around 10.50am and aims to be well attended by local organisations, residents and servicemen and women.

The parade will assemble on Russell Street and travel along Plymouth Road until it reaches Guildhall Car Park in time for the two-minute silence and service from Tavistock Parish Church at 11am.

Following many comments three years ago by members of the public about the noise from passing traffic during the two-minute silence, members of the Lions Club of Tavistock agreed with the Royal British Legion that in future years, they would provide traffic management during the Remembrance Day parade. This year the Lions will be out to assist with road closures — all roads and Bedford Square will be reopened once the service has finished.

Various other villages and hamlets around West Devon and East Cornwall are hosting their own Remembrance Day services to commemorate the fallen, not only from the First World War, but from subsequent conflicts.

Another way which local residents have been paying their respects is by purchasing ‘Tommy’ silhouettes — and outlines — and placing them around their towns and villages — including Mary Tavy, Princetown and Lifton.

Fifteen silhouettes are being placed around Lifton to represent the men named on the village’s war memorial and finishing up at St Mary’s Church in Lifton this Saturday (November 10). Ten ‘Tommies’ were funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and a further five were generously sponsored by local businesses. On Saturday the ‘Tommies’ will be brought together into the church and will be seated amongst the congregation for the Remembrance Day service on Sunday. Members of the public can visit St Mary’s Church to see the 15 soldier silhouettes together, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday.

Brentor has two services — a remembrance service at Christ Church starting at the war memorial at 10.50am, and a unique remembrance service at St Michael du Rupe, at 6.30pm. The latter will be a special short service with a bugler and bellringers paying tribute. A beacon will be lit on the tor as part of a national chain of over 1,000 beacons across the nation. Everyone is welcome but while the path up the tor will be marked with light sticks, it is advised that people should bring a torch. All dogs attending must be on leads at all times.

• Times’ photographer James Bird will be taking pictures of Remembrance Day services around the West Devon and East Cornwall areas — but it will be difficult for him to attend all events, so please feel free to send pictures and a brief description to [email protected]