Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall London 2019
The Royal British Legion was responsible for the very moving Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 9th November. There were packed afternoon and evening events. HM The Queen, together with many members of her family, the Prime Minister, senior politicians, Service officers and diplomats were present for the evening Festival which was broadcast on BBC One.
The item on the programme which was most appreciated by the audiences who clapped and cheered for about 15 minutes was the entry of 44 veterans from the three Services and various theatres. The Italy Star Association was represented by John Dennett, John Upton, Ted Needham, Fred Mason, Antony Pittaccio and myself. We were very well looked after by the BBC, two nights in a Kensington hotel, travel arrangements and meals in the Albert Hall but it was a tiring experience for us. We had to be on a coach by 8 am, rehearsal in the morning, two events and a coach back to the hotel at 11pm, A late addition to our programme which was much appreciated was the Prime Minister coming down to the area where we had spent the day when they were not on the ‘stage’, to shake hands and chat to us all.
A day to Remember!
Colonel David Blum, Patron Italy Star Association 1943 – 1945