Scouts from Wales were among those who took part in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend.
Dafydd Talbot, Area Youth Lead for Carmarthenshire; Tomos Moran, District Youth Lead for Merthyr Tydfil; Alys Bailey-Wood, Youth Lead for Eyri a Môn; and Molly Lewis, Section Leader at 1st Machynlleth, were among 20 Scouts from across the UK chosen to take part in the prestigious event on Saturday.
Hosted by the Royal British Legion, the annual Festival of Remembrance honours the service of, and the sacrifices made by, British Armed Forces personnel, both those who served in the past and those currently serving.
The Festival – which was televised on BBC1 on Saturday evening – was attended by King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as other members of the Royal Family and senior politicians.
Scouts assisted the Royal British Legion with front of house duties, such as programme and poppy sales and wheelchair pushing. The young people supported at two services in the day, meaning they were on duty from 9am until 9pm.
They were joined by members of four other youth organisation (Sea Cadets, Air Cadets, Army Cadets and Girlguiding) at the event, which combined moving tales of bravery and sacrifice with musical performances from Sir Tom Jones and the military bands.
Dafydd Talbot said: “It was an honour to be asked to attend and help the Royal British Legion at the Festival of Remembrance Service in the Royal Albert Hall. It was a moving experience and often difficult to hold back tears. Remembrance services worldwide are hugely important. Not only do they give us an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost during the world wars, but also in more recent conflicts. The selfless acts of armed forces personnel shape modern day history. If it wasn’t for them, where would we be today?”
Elsewhere across Wales, Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Network members and adult volunteers took part in Remembrance services and parades in their local communities. Young people took on roles including flag bearing and laying wreaths at their local cenotaphs, while others joined in the parades and remembered all those who gave their lives serving the country.
Photos with thanks to: 1st Sirhowy Valley, Fforestfach Scout Group, Viking Explorers – Pembrokeshire, Afan Nedd District, 1st Pembroke, 6th Merthyr, 1st Overton on Dee Scout group, 1st Lliw Valley (Loughor) Scouts, 1st Kilgetty, 2nd Pembroke (Castle), 1st Pontnewydd Scout Group, Wild Wolves Explorers – Cardiff East, 25th Cardiff, Bishops Own Scout Group, 2nd Merthyr Scouts
