Armstice Day commemoration in Newham unites young and older generations

It was a special honour to be at the event to mark the 95th Anniversary of The Armistice at the Central Park Cenotaph this morning.

The event was held at the Cenotaph in Central Park in High Street South, East Ham, and it grows in popularity each year.

It was staged by the Newham Catholic Deanery Schools, the Royal British Legion and Newham Council.

I attended with my auntie Mrs Julia Sidoli, now 87, and it was the first she had been able to attend for many years since moving from her East Ham home to Collier Row. The fact that she shunned the use of her wheelchair to the gathering and stood for nearly 45 minutes despite her illness speaks volumes for her.

But she was left very emotional and full of praise for the pupils from St Joachim’s. St Bonaventure’s, St Francis’, St Michael’s, St Winefride’s, St Angela’s, St Edward’s, St Helen’s and St Antony’s schools all play their parts in the morning’s commemoration.

The event started with the Last Post, and this was followed by two minutes silence, Reveille, and the Exhortation for the Fallen and the Kohima Prayer.

Wreaths were laid by Mayor Sir Robin Wales, MPs Lyn Brown and Stephen Timms and senior council staff and other members of the community, and pupils from all the schools.

The gospel reading and touching poems were also read and those gathered, around 250, then also had the strength of their voices tested as we sung Abide With Me and God Save The Queen without any backing  music.

And following the conclusion of the service, the Royal British Legion then also provided talks for the children about its work and history and also the history behind some of the local names on the remembrance memorial on the  Cenotaph in East Ham.

It was an appropriate way in all senses to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and and a fitting way to unite generations in remembrance.

Pictured: the Royal British Legion provide talks for the children about its work and history and also the history behind some of the local names on the remembrance memorial on the Cenotaph in East Ham. Credit: Colin Grainger