Remembrance Sunday 2026
Oxford and Oxfordshire stood still on Sunday to remember those that have fallen in conflict. We look at how the county marked the day.
City photos by Roger Close unless otherwise credited.
Oxford's annual Remembrance ceremony saw military, civic, and faith groups processing along St Giles' to lay wreaths at the War Memorial.
Spectators lined the route.
The ceremony included prayers and readings from Oxford’s diverse faith and belief communities, the sounding of the Last Post, a two-minute silence, the laying of wreaths, and hymns of remembrance.
Civic leaders gathered to mark the day. Cllr Chewe Munkonge, Lord Mayor of Oxford, said:
"Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday offer an opportunity for us to come together in gratitude and remembrance. They remind us of the extraordinary dedication and sacrifice shown by generations of service personnel and the loved ones who supported them. As we observe the silence, we pay tribute to those who gave their lives, recognise those who continue to serve today, and reflect on the importance of building a more peaceful future. I encourage everyone across Oxford to take a moment to remember, reflect and honour their service."
Participants, including representatives of Oxford's twin towns Bonn, Grenoble, Leiden, Padova and Wrocław, paid tribute to service personnel, civilians and all those whose lives have been impacted by war.
Armistice Day honours the moment in 1918 when the guns of the First World War fell silent. It commemorates the signing of the Armistice agreement between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne, France, at 5am on 11 November 1918. Fighting ceased six hours later, at 11am, ending more than four years of devastating conflict. In the city, and across the county, communities assembled to observe a two minute silence, marked by the Last Post, played on a single bugle and ended by the Reveille.
From Poland, the Choir of the General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Land Forces Academy had already been scheduled to appear. Their contribution was particularly poignant after an attack in Krakow's market square yesterday left six people dead and injured 16. The choir sang the well-known setting of the prayer of St Francis, ‘Make me a channel of your peace’.
Faith leaders speak at the ceremony.
The City Rector, the Reverend Anthony Buckley, led a short prayer, followed by faith leaders from across the city.
Civic leaders lay wreaths at the war memorial on St Giles.
As is customary, poppy wreaths were laid at the war memorial, inspired by the resilient red poppies that grew across the churned-up battlefields of the First World War.
‘In Flanders Fields’ (Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae)
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Across the city and the county, communities marked the event in their own way.
Cllr David Rouane, Didcot's mayor, and the ceremony (via Cllr Ian Snowden).
Cllr Liam Walker, Conservative group leader on Oxfordshire County Council, marked the day in Minster Lovell.
Cllr Nathan Ley transported his wreath in Abingdon by bike (via social media). The Didcot Powerhouse's modified bike carried veteran Anthony and his daughter Tracey at the Didcot Remembrance Parade. Cycling Without Age Wallingford took residents of Waterside Court Care Home to the parade.
In Carterton, home to RAF Brize Norton and its repatriation ceremonies, crowds turned out to mark the occasion (Carterton Town Council).
Memorial post box topper in Witney (via Cllr Duncan Enright) and the ceremony in Witney (via Cllr Thomas Ashby).
Wallingford's War Memorial and exhibition (via PCC Matthew Barber and Barchester Care).
Cherwell District Council leader Lesley McClean attended a service in Kidlington (via North Oxon Liberal Democrats); Sean Woodcock MP laid a wreath in Banbury; Freddie van Mierlo MP laid a wreath in Thame; Layla Moran MP laid a wreath in Botley; Calum Miller MP laid a wreath in Kidlington; Olly Glover MP laid a wreath in Wantage.
