Remembrance season is a meaningful time for us at Veterans Outreach Support, and an opportunity for our veteran community to come together. Would you like to join us in paying our respects across Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Gosport, Fareham, Emsworth and Havant? You can find us out at local Remembrance events between Friday 10 November and Sunday 12 November 2023.
As always, we would love to see you there. Many of our volunteers, veterans, and staff members will be found wearing their poppies at various services across the greater Portsmouth area and the Isle of Wight, including:
Friday 10th November
- Mayor of Fareham’s Remembrance Concert (1930 – 2200hrs)
Location: Portchester Community Centre, Portchester, Fareham PO16 9AD.
We are so grateful to the organisers of this event who have chosen to donate all proceeds to both VOS and Sophie’s Legacy. Tickets are £12.50, and anyone interested in attending can email lisa.m.birkett@sky.com to book theirs. The event will feature musical theatre and traditional Remembrance themed music performed by HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band and Portsmouth Military Wives Choir.
Saturday 11th November
- Armistice and Remembrance Event at C2U Gosport (1000-1200hrs)
Location: C2U Gosport, 137A High Street, PO12 1EA.
There will be real WW1 artefacts on display and Pudsey the Bear is there for hugs and photos.
- Portsmouth Armistice Day Service at the WW1 memorial, Guildhall Square (Starts 10:55)
Location: The Cenotaph, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 9ST.
This short service starts at 10:55am and will include a two-minute silence at the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. During the service, there will be a selection of readings and poems.
Sunday 12th November
- Southampton Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade (Starts 10:55)
Location: The Cenotaph, Southampton SO14 7FQ.
The service starts at 10.55am and will be preceded by a Military and Veterans parade from Guildhall Square to the Cenotaph and the Mayoral Civic Procession. Everyone is welcome.
- Fort Brockhurst Remembrance Service (Starts 10:55)
Location: Fort Brockhurst Gunners Way, Elson, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4DS.
This service will start with a gun salute and end with firing a piece of Second World War artillery. The commemoration will end with a reading. Attendance is open to all visitors.
- Lee-on-Solent Remembrance Service (Starts Approximately 11)
Location: St Faith’s Lee Church,Victoria Square, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9NF
The service at St Faith’s Lee Church will occur after a reading of the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 11am. All welcome.
- Southsea Royal Navy Remembrance Parade (Starts 09:15)
Location: Southsea Naval War Memorial, Southsea PO5 3NT.
At the Southsea Naval War Memorial, sailors from HM Naval Base Portsmouth will conduct a Remembrance Parade. The Naval Base Commander, Commodore John Voyce OBE ADC, would like to invite all veterans and service persons to attend. The parade will finish by 10am to allow for the Naval Guard and veterans to make their way to Guildhall Square for the City of Portsmouth Remembrance Parade.
- City of Portsmouth Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade (10:30-1200hrs)
Location: Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 9ST.
The service will be preceded by a parade of veterans, military personnel and youth groups in the square at 10.30am. At 11am there will be a two-minute silence followed by the service. A wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph will conclude the morning’s events.
- Isle of Wight Remembrance Sunday Service and Wreath Laying (Starts 10:30)
Location: Starts with the Royal British Legion from Drill Hall Road, Newport, and proceeds to St. Thomas’ Square, Newport, PO30 1SQ.
Proceedings will start with processions led by the Royal British Legion from Drill Hall Road, Newport, at 10.30am, and by the Isle of Wight Council’s mace bearer from Newport Guildhall to St Thomas’ Square at 10.50am, where the processions will join for prayers before the formal silence.A service of remembrance will be held in St Thomas’ Square following a two-minute silence at 11am. Dignitaries, representatives and community groups will be in attendance and laying wreaths.
- Havant, St Faiths War Memorial (10:35-11:02hrs)
Location: Parade assembles at War memorial outside St Faiths Church (and service within) West St, Havant PO9 1LN.
Deputy Lieutenant Major General James Balfour CBE DL will be in attendance, along with the Mayor of Havant, Alan Mak MP and the Leader of Havant Borough Council, Councillor Alex Rennie. The parade leaves Royal British Legion Ex-servicemen’s club, Brockhampton Lane, into Park Road South along Elm Lane before turning into North Street. Denton Smith, bagpiper accompanied by drums courtesy of Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band. The Act of Remembrance will be read at the War Memorial outside St Faiths Church, followed by a two minutes’ silence.
- Hayling Island Remembrance Service (10:40-11:05hrs)
Location: St. Mary’s Church, Church Rd, Hayling Island PO11 0NW.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Peter Wade in attendance. Parade leaves Hollow Lane, marching along Elm Grove to the Cenotaph in St Mary’s Road for the laying of wreaths, before moving to St Mary’s Church for the Remembrance Service.
- Emsworth Remembrance Parade and Service (14:30-1500hrs)
Location: St James Hall, Church Path, Emsworth, PO10 7DP.
This afternoon event begins with a parade that leaves Queen Street heading to Church Path, Emsworth. At 3pm there will be a Remembrance service inside St James Hall. Deputy Mayor, Councillor Peter Wade in attendance.
If you’re a veteran from the UK Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy (from any time of service) or a partner to one, VOS would love for you to join our community. We are here to offer our support: call us on 02392 731 767, visit an upcoming drop-in, or email admin@vosuk.org.
VOS is immensely grateful for the support and funding we receive from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.
