At the start of November, our thoughts turn to those who gave their lives serving in the two World Wars and more recent conflicts. This year there is a heightened sense of emotion as we commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Great War as well as the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Europe.

Yet, as much as we think about these wars, we must not overlook the many service men and women who have given their lives across the world in conflicts on the various continents – Afghanistan, Cyprus, Korea, Malaysia, and Northern Ireland to name but a few. We use the words duty, courage, and sacrifice in our everyday language, but we should all pause and think of those who really deserve these terms for what they did.

It is with humility that I, as Leader of the Council, am attending some of the many events across the Borough in which we mark this solemn anniversary.

Last Sunday I was present at the Wyvern for the Festival of Remembrance, while on Friday I will be going to Lydiard Park, where Swindon once again will play host to the British Legion’s Garden of Remembrance.

On Sunday, I will be attending the service at the Cenotaph in Swindon, along with Her Worship the Mayor, and other members of our community.

There will be other services, too, as Highworth, Wroughton and the other parts of the Borough mark this solemn Sunday at their own memorials.

I urge all of you to attend one of these services if you can, to show gratitude for the freedoms we may take for granted and to show our support for the wounded, the survivors, and the families of those who died.

For society, our duty is not just to remember, but also to act. We have many former service men and women who suffer deep psychological traumas from their experiences in combat.

These hidden victims need the right support and help from the NHS, the Council, and the community. On November 11, the Council will be observing the two minutes’ silence.

I would encourage all business, schools, and residents to support this, if possible, although that may not be practical for everyone.

This act of shared reflection should bind us together as a community.