City Hall honours Armed Forces at annual Remembrance Service
Today, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, joined Chair of the London Assembly, Len Duvall OBE AM, Assembly Members, representatives of our Armed Forces Community, faith leaders and other special guests, for the annual Remembrance Service at City Hall.
Held in partnership with the City Hall Branch of the Royal British Legion and the London Assembly, this year’s ceremony marked that this year is the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, VE Day and VJ Day.
The Rt Revd Lynne Cullens, The Bishop of Barking, led the service and was joined by leaders from Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Humanist communities who offered prayers and readings. The Mayor and Chair of the Assembly gave readings and laid wreaths as the service honoured all those who lost their lives in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts to defend our freedoms.
The Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and senior representatives from the Metropolitan Police Service, Transport for London, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, London Councils, British Red Cross, the London Assembly, Royal British Legion, Armed Forces, and St John’s Ambulance were also among those to lay wreaths at the ceremony.
Guests at the service also included London borough Mayors and leaders, Armed Services representatives and cadets, as well as London Assembly Members, the London Youth Assembly, and Greater London Authority staff. Music was provided by the London International Gospel Choir.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “City Hall’s annual Remembrance Service is a powerful moment of reflection and an opportunity to honour the immense courage and sacrifice of those who serve in our Armed Forces. This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War and we pay tribute to all those brave servicemen and women who gave their lives in defence of our freedom. As we continue to build a better London for everyone, their legacy endures in the values we uphold and the peace we enjoy.”
Chair of the London Assembly, Len Duvall, OBE AM, said: “The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War reminds us of the debt we owe to those who gave their lives to protect our country, our values and the rights of billions around the world. Britain and her allies came together to defend democracy against totalitarianism and fascism being imposed on other countries - struggles that echo across the world today. The London Assembly remembers those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and stands steadfast alongside armed forces personnel, past and present to thank them for their service to our city and our country.”