Redhill and Sussex Fall Silent for Armistice Day Remembrance
Redhill’s Belfry Pays Tribute to a Local Organiser
On a grey Armistice Day morning, many of us in Redhill made our way to The Belfry shopping centre, where the usual Saturday bustle gave way to a hush. Shoppers stopped in the walkways and leaned over the balconies as the two-minute silence began. Some had travelled in from nearby Dorking, while others simply stepped out of the shops on their lunch breaks. Poppies were dropped from the roof of the building, drifting down over the crowd in a moment that many people said they will remember for a long time.
The service also honoured Vic Gellett, the man who first organised the Redhill remembrance service and who died earlier this year. Reigate and Banstead councillor Eddy Humphreys described him as a humble person who would never have expected to be remembered in such a public way. Mr Humphreys said Vic had served his community, his family and his country, and that description will resonate with anyone who knew him at the local branch or along the high street.
For longtime residents, the Redhill service is more than a ceremony. It is a reminder of the volunteers who keep traditions alive, often without fanfare. As we look ahead to next year, the question is whether the organising torch will be picked up by new people in the town. Anyone interested in helping with future services is encouraged to get in touch with the local council or a veterans’ group to find out how to get involved.
Sussex and Medway Mark the Silence Across the Region
The silence was not confined to Surrey. In Brighton, people laid wreaths at the war memorial in the Old Steine before walking to the memorial for the Battle of Boar’s Head. That battle took place 110 years ago, in 1916, and cost the lives of 366 men of the Royal Sussex Regiment. It has long been remembered as the day Sussex died, and the quiet crowds at the memorial showed that the loss still matters to families across the county.
Further east, a small congregation gathered at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield, while in Chatham a remembrance service at Victoria Gardens ended with a cannon-fire salute that echoed across the gardens. Medway’s mayor, Douglas Hamandishe, spoke about using the lessons of the past to build a more united community, a message that will sit well with families who have lived in the towns for generations and with newcomers who are just getting to know them. In Dover, residents gathered around the Tommy statue, a familiar landmark on the seafront area that serves as a tribute to soldiers who died in the First World War.
What connects these services is their local character. Each one was organised by people who know their streets, their war memorials and their neighbours. Whether you attended in person or watched from your kitchen window, the shared two minutes reminded us that remembrance belongs to every community, not just the places that make headlines.
How Residents Can Get Involved and What to Watch Next
There are practical ways to keep the spirit of Armistice Day alive beyond November. The Poppy Appeal relies on volunteers to staff collection points outside supermarkets and rail stations, and local branches of veterans’ organisations often need help with fundraising, research into family histories and maintaining local memorials. If you have an afternoon to spare, contacting your nearest branch is a good place to start. Many local businesses also play a part. Trades such as bathroom fitters, bathroom refurbishment specialists and kitchen renovation firms often display poppy collection tins in their showrooms or sponsor community events, so supporting local tradespeople who give back can make a real difference.
Looking ahead, keep an eye on Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s announcements about future remembrance services and any plans to restore or relocate memorials in the borough. Residents in Dorking and the surrounding villages may also see new arrangements for parking and road closures around memorial sites as events grow. Local councillors have said they welcome feedback, so if you have ideas about how services could better reflect the people they remember, do share them.
Finally, if you have a story about a remembrance event in your own street, village or workplace, we want to hear it. Send your ideas to the BBC Surrey team or get in touch through local community pages. Our town’s history is written by the people who keep showing up, and every voice helps keep it accurate and alive.
Source: Crowds across South East stop to observe Armistice Day silence
