A TRADITION of remembrance which dates back more than 100 years is set to come to poignant end in York next week.

Each year since the end of the First World War, the British Railways Ex-Servicemen’s Association has held a remembrance parade to commemorate those that have fallen in battle.

However, over the years the group has seen a gradual decline in its membership numbers.

Now bosses have come to the conclusion that it is time to call it a day for the association - making this year’s event the last.

This year’s service will be held on Armistice Day - Thursday, November 11 - at the North Eastern Railway Memorial cenotaph in Station Rise.

Shaun Houldridge, chairman of the British Railways Ex-servicemen's Association, said that at its peak the association had hundreds of members.

Over the years though, mainly through old age, the membership has declined, and there are now only six ex-servicemen currently within its ranks.

Although Mr Houldridge said he was sad that the membership has fallen to reach this point, he said: “It’s heartening to know that the need for servicemen is diminishing.”

Remembering the hundreds of members in years gone, Mr Houldridge said: “The amount of people who worked with us was unbelievable.”

Mr Houldridge has held his position for six years, and at 55 is the youngest member of the association in York.

Although the chairman is only supposed to hold the position for one year, Mr Houldridge has been in the post far longer due to the declining membership.

The association was first set up for veterans of the First World War after the conflict ended in 1918.

In the years that followed it welcomed veterans of the Second World War, and then those who had taken part in other more recent conflicts.

Current plans are for control of the association to pass to the Chaplaincy and other organisations, although negotiations are still ongoing.

Mr Holdridge said: “Things can’t continue as they are.”

But he added: "The camaraderie that has been passed down through generations is still felt.”

About 25,000 railway employees died in the two world wars, including more than 2,200 on the North Eastern Railway in the First World War and more than 500 London North Eastern Railway workers in the Second World War.

The Station Rise memorial was erected for around £12,000, funded by public donation.

It is situated at the spot that was the entrance to a medical facility for injured soldiers during the First World War.