🌺 From Children Aged Just Three to Residents in Their 90s, Formby Comes Together for a Beautiful Armistice Day Service
It was a truly beautiful and memorable morning in Formby today, Wednesday 11th November 2026, as dozens of residents gathered beneath glorious blue skies at the village War Memorial to honour those who gave their lives for our freedom.
With the November sunshine lighting up Formby Village, people of all ages came together for a moving Armistice Day service organised by the Formby branch of the Royal British Legion.
From nursery children aged just three and four to residents in their 90s, the remarkable range of generations attending was a wonderful reminder that remembrance continues to bring communities together.
Veterans proudly wearing their medals stood alongside serving personnel, local representatives, families, schoolchildren and members of the public, united in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
A Beautiful Morning in Formby Village
The service began at Formby War Memorial on Chapel Lane, with residents gathering from 10.45am.
The weather could hardly have been more beautiful for November, with bright sunshine and a stunning blue sky providing the perfect backdrop to this special occasion.
Royal British Legion standards were proudly carried into position at 10.50am, followed by an address from the Honorary Chaplain to the Formby branch.
The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection and community spirit as people gathered around the memorial, which was surrounded by beautiful red poppy wreaths and remembrance crosses.
From Three-Year-Old Children to Residents in Their 90s
One of the most heartwarming aspects of today’s service was seeing so many different generations coming together.
Children aged just three and four from Early Days Nursery attended, joining older residents, some in their 90s, to pay their respects.
It was a particularly touching sight, with the youngest members of our community standing alongside people who have lived through decades of history.
For the children, it was an opportunity to begin understanding the importance of remembrance, while for older generations, it was a reassuring reminder that the sacrifices of those who came before us will never be forgotten.
Trinity St Peter’s Children Bring Beautiful Handmade Poppy Wreaths
Another lovely moment came from the children of Trinity St Peter’s School, who attended the service carrying beautiful poppy wreaths they had made themselves.
The children had carefully created their own colourful tributes, which they brought along to lay at the War Memorial.
Their thoughtful gesture was a wonderful example of young people showing respect and appreciation for those who sacrificed their lives.
The children and their teachers deserve special recognition for taking the time to make the wreaths and for being part of such an important community occasion.
Some pupils from Formby High School also attended the service and laid a wreath at the War Memorial as a mark of respect. It was another lovely gesture from our local young people, showing that the importance of remembrance continues to be recognised and honoured by the next generation.
The Last Post, Two Minutes of Silence and a Spectacular Shower of Red Poppies
One of the most unforgettable moments of the morning came during the traditional Act of Remembrance.
At 10.59am, the Exhortation was delivered, with those gathered responding:
“We will remember them.”
At precisely 11am, bugler Mr Dave Culshaw sounded the Last Post, its familiar notes ringing out across Formby Village.
The community then observed the traditional two-minute silence, with young children, veterans, families and older residents standing together in quiet reflection.
Following the Last Post, a spectacular burst of red poppy confetti was released into the air, creating a breathtaking sight against the beautiful blue November sky.
Hundreds of bright red petals appeared to float above the War Memorial before gently falling towards the ground.
It was a wonderful and deeply symbolic moment, with the red poppies filling the air in remembrance of those who had given their lives.
The sight was particularly striking against the clear blue sky and added something truly special to an already moving occasion.
The silence concluded with the Reveille at 11.02am.
Wreaths, Remembrance Crosses and a Community United
Following the two-minute silence, the Kohima Epitaph was delivered before the planting of remembrance crosses began.
Representatives of the Formby branch of the Royal British Legion, its Women’s Section, RAF Woodvale, the Royal Air Forces Association, local parish councils and other organisations joined members of the public in paying their respects.
The memorial was surrounded by beautiful red poppy wreaths, while remembrance crosses were placed in the Garden of Remembrance.
The handmade wreaths created by the Trinity St Peter’s children were a particularly touching addition.
The standards marched off at the conclusion of the formal service, bringing a memorable morning of remembrance to a close.
A Day Formby Can Be Proud Of
There was something incredibly special about today’s gathering.
The beautiful weather, the wonderful turnout, the children carrying their handmade wreaths, the veterans standing proudly and the spectacular shower of red poppies all combined to make this a truly memorable Armistice Day.
Most importantly, it was a reminder that remembrance belongs to every generation.
Formby Bubble would like to thank the Formby branch of the Royal British Legion, the clergy, standard bearers, bugler Mr Dave Culshaw, veterans, serving personnel and everyone involved in organising today’s service.
Special thanks must also go to Early Days Nursery and Trinity St Peter’s School for bringing their children along and helping to ensure that the importance of remembrance continues to be passed on to future generations.
We would also like to thank the three pupils from Formby High School who attended and laid a wreath on behalf of their school, paying their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
And, of course, thank you to every member of the public who attended.
From the youngest children to our oldest residents, Formby stood together today in gratitude, respect and remembrance.
Watch the full video here on YouTube…
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
Lest We Forget. 🌺
Formby Remembers Six Polish Airmen at Moving Armistice Day Service
A moving Armistice Day service took place at the Polish war graves in Our Lady of Compassion Churchyard, behind Waitrose in Formby Village, on Wednesday 11th November 2026.
Following the morning’s commemorations at Formby War Memorial, remembrance continued at 12 noon as the community paid tribute to six young Polish airmen who lost their lives while serving alongside British forces during the Second World War.
Four standard bearers stood proudly beside the graves, which were decorated with flowers, Polish flags, remembrance crosses and candles.
It was a poignant occasion, remembering six brave young men who travelled far from their homeland to help defend Britain.
Five War Graves, Six Polish Airmen
Many residents may not realise that six Polish airmen are buried in five war graves at Our Lady of Compassion, as two of the servicemen share a grave.
All six served with Polish squadrons associated with nearby RAF Woodvale, which played an important role in defending Liverpool and its docks during the Second World War.
The six airmen remembered are:
Edmund Krawczyński – died 21st December 1941.
Marian Wesołowski – died 9th January 1942.
Tadeusz Nawrocki – died 16th July 1942.
Eugeniusz Fiedorczuk – died 15th August 1942.
Bolesław Sawiak – died 23rd August 1942.
Zygmunt Kowalski – died 21st March 1944.
These young men had come to Britain after Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1939, determined to continue fighting for freedom.
Sadly, they never returned home.
Remembering Zygmunt Kowalski, Aged Just 22
One particularly poignant grave belongs to Zygmunt Kowalski, who served with 316 Squadron and died on 21st March 1944, aged just 22.
His headstone can be seen in the foreground of our photograph, with the other Polish war graves and four standard bearers standing respectfully in the background.
The headstone bears the Polish eagle, while flowers, candles and remembrance crosses have been placed at its base.
At just 22, Zygmunt had his whole life ahead of him.
Instead, like so many young servicemen during the war, his life was tragically cut short.
A Lasting Connection Between Formby and Poland
RAF Woodvale opened in October 1941 and became home to several Polish fighter squadrons during the war.
Polish pilots played a vital role in Britain’s defence, and the graves at Our Lady of Compassion remain a lasting reminder of their courage and sacrifice.
For many residents, the churchyard behind Waitrose is somewhere they may have passed countless times without knowing the remarkable history it holds.
Yet these five graves tell the story of six young men who left their homeland to fight for freedom and never returned.
More than 80 years later, Formby continues to remember them.
Formby Bubble would like to thank everyone involved in organising and attending the Armistice Day service, particularly the standard bearers and those who continue to honour these important war graves.
They came from Poland to fight for freedom. They gave their lives serving alongside Britain. And today, they rest peacefully here in Formby.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
🌺 Lest We Forget.
Photographs: Formby Bubble – Polish War Graves, Our Lady of Compassion Church, Wednesday 11th November 2026.
Photographs: Formby Bubble, Armistice Day, Wednesday 11th November 2026.
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