Salford’s ‘veteran village’ holds wreath-laying ceremony on Remembrance Day

Ceremonies have taken place across the country as part of Remembrance Day. Derrick Corfield is a resident at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford.

The 94-year-old World War Two veteran led the service and give an exaltation for the other residents.

Speaking after the ceremony Derrick said: “I often think how many of those poor lads got back and it does make me feel very emotional at times.”

A bugler performed The Last Post, which was then followed by a two-minute silence.

Veteran Andy Reid who founded the Standing Tall foundation to support veterans and disadvantaged young people laid down the wreath at the ceremony.

He said: “I woke up and thought I’m a survivor not a victim.

“I’m still here and unfortunately some of my friends payed the ultimate sacrifice and that’s why we are here today to remember those guys who are no longer with us”.

Broughton House is currently undergoing a £13m transformation to create the UK’s first Veteran Care Village. The first stage of the redevelopment was completed in September 2020, when veterans moved into a new three-storey building which has 32 residential and nursing care beds over two floors.

The next stage of the scheme is due for completion shortly and will feature 32 residential care and residential dementia care beds and six independent living apartments alongside an Armed Forces Support Hub.