Remembrance Commemorations in London 2019
Remembrance Commemorations in London
November 7th saw the start of the annual remembrance commemorations in London, with the opening of the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. After, Maureen Hanlan & I were delighted to represent the Association at a reception in Wellington Barracks. We then attended a Service of Prayer and Remembrance for Her Majesty’s Armed Forces in the Guards Chapel. This year the Service was lead by the RAF. The highlight of the service was a traditional Fijian song sung unaccompanied by a Fijian choir who were all members of the Scot’s Guards.
In early October, I was delighted to receive an invitation from the Royal British Legion to attend the evening performance of the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. I was allowed to take a guest, so I accompanied by Maureen Hanlan, our Treasurer. We both found the Festival quite an emotional experience, especially when the veterans of 44 entered the arena, which included 6 ISA Veterans. This year the Festival was a unique event, which will never be repeated. After the performance, we were invited to a reception at a hotel in South Kensington, where we were able to network and promote the Association.
Remembrance Sunday was a cold, sunny morning. Members of the Association gathered on Horse Guards Parade in preparation for the National Service of Remembrance. 2019 marked the centenary of Remembrance, the annual tradition that first took place at the Cenotaph in 1919 to pay tribute to the War dead. Just like on that first Remembrance Day and all subsequent days, the Royal Family, Politicians, religious leaders gathered to remember the members of the Armed forces who died in the line of duty.
The Association was delighted that 3 veterans of her Majesty’s Armed Forces who were amongst those who represented us during the commemorations have written accounts of their experiences.
Sheila Edwards National Secretary