By the time the guns of the First World War fell silent one hundred years ago, 1.1 million United Kingdom and Commonwealth Service men and women had sacrificed their lives. Many millions more had served and suffered.
Echoing the Royal British Legion’s centenary theme, the London Assembly today said ‘thank you’ to the Armed Forces which helped shape and secure the country through their endeavour and courage.
Dr Onkar Sahota AM, who proposed the motion of thanks said:
“As we approach the one-hundred-year anniversary of Armistice Day, it is imperative that as Londoners, we come together to pay gratitude to all of those who served from home and the Commonwealth during the First World War. It is particularly important that we commemorate the 1.1 million Service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to give their lives to protect our nation.
“Our duty to remember has been vividly conveyed by the Royal British Legion’s ‘Thank You’ campaign, and with this motion I have urged the London Assembly to record its full support for it”.
Gareth Bacon AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“Over a million service men and women served in the First World War and we should never forget the invaluable contribution that these brave individuals made. Without them, London wouldn’t be the same strong and successful city it is today.
“It would be entirely right for the London Assembly to wholeheartedly support The Royal British Legion’s ‘Thank You’ initiative, which aims to ensure that every service man and woman is suitably commemorated.”
The full text of the motion is:
To commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, the Royal British Legion’s ‘Thank You’ campaign expresses gratitude to all who served, sacrificed and changed our world during this turbulent period in our history.
One hundred years ago, the guns fell silent on the world’s first truly global war. Now is the time to think about the 1.1 million United Kingdom and Commonwealth Service men and women who gave their lives, and those who lived through this tragic and remarkable time – people who put Britain and London on the path to becoming what it is today. It is time to say Thank You for all they did for us.
In line with the Assembly’s commitment under the Armed Forces covenant to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces Community; particularly those whose lives were lost or were injured; this Assembly puts on record its support for The Royal British Legion’s ‘Thank You’ movement and highlights the ‘Every One Remembered’ initiative to commemorate every one of them by the end of 2018.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, who proposed the original motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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