Remembrance Sunday at Ilford War Memorial – Shreya Valera Bancroft’s School
At 11a.m. on the second Sunday of November, a day we all come together and share a two minute silence, no matter where we are; remembrance Sunday, a day "to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts".
On Sunday 10th November, a service was held at Ilford War Memorial in Newbury Park. It was organised by Redbridge council in conjunction with the Royal British Legion. Here, war veterans, churches and all Redbridge residents were invited to join together and pay respects to all the soldiers who gave their lives to serve our country.
Ilford War Memorial is centred round the proud statue, which in 1922 was put on display to the public in order to commemorate 1,159 men lost in WW1. Here, representatives of the Royal British Legion, along with members of the Armed Forces, local politicians, faith leaders and masses of people, each wearing a poppy gathered.
Rabi Alex Chapper, the chaplain for the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women and Rev Jonathan Evens (from the Royal British Legion & the St John the Evangelist Church) led the service. The chairman of the Barkingside Royal British Legion, John Coombes, delivered the exhortation, whilst, Cllr Ashley Kissin, the mayor of Redbridge, MPs Lee Scott and Mike Gapes and representatives of the Armed Forces and youth organisations, laid wreaths.
To make the event even more special, the service was accompanied by the Symphonic Band from Redbridge Music Service. Their programme consisted of the National Anthem, Nimrod (from the Variations) & The Lord is my Shepherd. Everyone at the gathering sung the hymns together, enjoying the bands harmonious accompaniment.
Symphonic Band, from Redbridge Music Service.
After, there was a procession where army cadets marched along Eastern Avenue, which had been cordoned off just for the special event.
Following the service, people who attended were invited to have tea, coffee and cake, organised by the events team of the London Borough of Redbridge. They were also permitted to enter the Ilford War Memorial Hall to take photographs of the engravings and pay any further respects.
The service was beautiful, and reminded us all of the service our men did for us all those years ago.
We will remember them.
Shreya Valera
