Mayor and London Assembly pay tribute to our country’s service personnel at City Hall Armed Forces Day ceremony

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Chair of the London Assembly, Andrew Boff AM, and representatives of the British Armed Forces joined together today for City Hall’s Armed Forces Day flag raising ceremony.

The ceremony was held ahead of National Armed Forces Day on Saturday (27 June), and takes place each year to pay tribute to the courage and commitment of the nation’s service personnel.

Major Tom Hallett of the British Army hosted the ceremony, with speeches by Colonel Steven Lowe, the Mayor and AM Boff. Young Cadet Joylyn Chasweka read the poem Service by Edgar A. Guest, and The Band of The Grenadier Guards performed.

Guests included serving members of the British Armed Forces, cadets, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, veterans, families, military charities and the Royal British Legion City Hall branch.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am honoured to stand alongside members of our Armed Forces to celebrate the bravery of our service personnel and their unwavering commitment to defending our country.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those who have protected and continue to protect our country and our freedoms.

“Their courage and commitment to our nation and peace shows why they represent the very best of us, and we remain endlessly grateful for their service.”

Chair of the London Assembly, Andrew Boff AM, said: “Armed Forces Day provides us with the opportunity to honour and show support for the brave men and women who dedicated their lives to service in previous generations, and those who continue to do so now.

“The London Assembly enthusiastically supports our service personnel, and we were honoured to welcome Armed Forces representatives to City Hall for the flag raising ceremony.

“From defence and peacekeeping to contributing to humanitarian efforts across the globe, military staff embody the values of duty, resilience and service. 

“As Londoners, we remain indebted to those who risk their lives and to the veterans whose service we will never forget.”