The widow of a Bradford soldier killed while serving in Iraq will announce a two minutes silence at a Remembrance Service on Sunday.

Sergeant Christian Hickey, of East Bierley, will be remembered alongside the thousands of other servicemen and women who have given their lives at ceremonies across the district this weekend.

Sgt Hickey, 30, was killed by a landmine in Basra two years ago. His widow, Gemma, will attend the service at the Cenotaph in East Bierley, which bears his name.

Sunday is the 89th anniversary of Armistice Day which marked the end of First World War.

Elsewhere, a poignant tribute has been left in a cemetery where many of the district's fallen war heroes have come to rest.

Undercliffe Cemetery, which overlooks Bradford from Undercliffe Lane, is the final resting place of 144 former servicemen and women who fought for Britain in the two world wars and among others, the African, Indian and Crimean conflicts.

Among those buried there is Bradford-born, Matthew Hughes, a Victoria Cross winner for his contribution in the Crimean War in the 19th century.

Over the last few days, each war grave has been laid with a single poppy by Sixth Form students at Hanson School before an Armistice Day service on Saturday.

It was a former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Allan Hillary, now a trustee of Undercliffe Cemetery Charity, who approached the school to recruit volunteers. He is attending the wreath laying ceremony in the cemetery, which he says is better attended each year.

Alongside him will be veterans from the navy, army and Royal Air Force associations, the Bradford branch of the British Royal Legion and the cemetery's supporting charities at 10.45am for 11am.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens, will also be paying his respects at the service which is being performed by the Reverend Andy Bowerman, of Shipley.

Mr Hillary said: "The cemetery is pictorial evidence of the commitment of Bradford people over the years. What used to be local branches of the British legion are now defunct because members have passed away, so someone is going to have to look after their heritage.

"I feel youngsters ought to be very aware in a very comfortable way that people have fought for our freedom and democracy and have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives."

Among attendees at the service in Bradford city centre will be 400 ex-service men and women of the Royal British Legion and members of the West Yorkshire branch of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Association.

  • List of ceremonies