- Ahead of the annual commemoration, the Mayor opened the London Remembrance Gallery
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the Chairman of the London Assembly, Tony Arbour AM, joined Assembly Members, representatives of the British Armed Forces and other special guests today at a service of remembrance for those who have lost their lives fighting for their country.
The service took place ahead of Armistice Day (11 November) and this year marked 100 years since the end of the First World War.
The ceremony was led by The Dean of Southwark, The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, and attended by members of the armed forces as well as veterans, faith leaders, politicians and representatives from various charities, including the Royal British Legion and the Red Cross. It also included prayers by members of the Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.
There was an address by The Rt. Revd and Rt. Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London. The Mayor and Tony Arbour joined others in laying wreaths in memory of those who have lost their lives in war.
Ahead of the ceremony, the Mayor and Chairman of the Assembly opened City Hall’s new London Remembrance Gallery. The gallery will become a permanent memorial as part of the World War One centenary commemorations, as well as a space to remember all who have lost their lives in conflict. The London Remembrance Gallery will also feature a permanent plaque containing an excerpt from the poem ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon.
In collaboration with the London Bridge branch of the Royal British Legion, a temporary art installation featuring a scarlet ‘cloud’ of 48,000 poppies suspended across the gallery ceiling, was unveiled in memory of those who have lost their lives.
City Hall is also hosting an exhibition of stories from those who have been impacted by war from across London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London. The display has been produced with the support of the Museum of London.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“It’s an honour to come together to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. The valour of those who have served and paid the ultimate price for our freedom is humbling.
“This year, as every year, Remembrance Day invites us to reflect on the immense contribution the men and women of our armed forces make to keep us safe.
“We must never forget their sacrifice and dedication, and I’m proud that from today we will have a permanent memorial at City Hall in honour of their incredible contribution to our country.”
Chairman of the London Assembly, Tony Arbour AM, said:
“Although the Armistice was a hundred years ago, the heroism of those who fought and died is very real today.
“The new Remembrance Gallery at City Hall is our small way of showing we will never forget the sacrifices they made for us. In this very special year it is imperative that we demonstrate our gratitude and our respect.
“Those who died were just like us, in so many ways. They lived on the same streets, they went to the same schools and they drank in the same pubs – but unlike us, they died fighting for their country and our way of life.
“As long as we continue to remember and respect that memory, as we do today, they truly will ‘grow not old’. “
ENDS