Lewisham pays tribute on Remembrance Sunday
Lewisham residents came out in force on Sunday 14 November to honour members of the armed forces who lost their lives while serving their country in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
Two Remembrance Sunday ceremonies were held in the borough. The main civic service took place at the war memorial in Lewisham High Street. It was led by Father Steve Hall of St Mary’s Church, with contributions from other faith leaders.
Residents also attended a second service at the war memorial at the junction of Lewisham Way and Upper Brockley Road led by Reverend Lindiwe Maseko, from the Church of the Ascension.
At both ceremonies, local dignitaries stood with veterans and their families, representatives of uniformed and civilian organisations and the local community to remember those who lost their lives in conflict, as well as servicemen and women currently serving their country.
Among those to lay wreaths included the Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham; the Mayoresses; the Speaker, Cllr Tauseef Anwar, Janet Daby MP, Baroness Lawrence, and Sir Steve Bullock, Deputy Lieutenant of Lewisham.
The march-past on Lewisham High Street was led by Sergeant Major Nick Connell of 101 Regiment. The parade included 1475 (Dulwich) Squadron ATC, 3 Platoon from A (London Scottish) Company, cadets from St Dunstan’s College, Police cadets and many others.
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said:
“A big thank you for everyone who came together to mark Remembrance Sunday and also the one hundredth anniversary of the Royal British Legion. I’m pleased that we were able to gather in-person with veterans, serving personnel and residents to pay tribute to those people who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live peacefully and freely today.
“Lewisham is home to many communities, so it’s important that we remember that the people we are honouring came from all over the world and were of all faiths and backgrounds.”
Services also took place across the borough on Armistice Day, which this year was Thursday 11 November.