Armistice Day this year will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the war to end all wars. To start a week of special remembrance services across the City culminating on Armistice Day itself, the Royal British Legion opened the annual Garden of Remembrance at St Pauls and the Mistress and I were proud to be invited to participate as representatives of the Company.
After coffee in the Crypt the Masters of all the City Livery Companies, office holders of City Institutions and representative of the Armed Services assembled in the north-east corner of the Churchyard where the Garden of Remembrance is traditionally laid out (see picture). The service was led by the Dean of St Pauls the Very Reverend Dr David Ison and was graciously attended by the Lord and Lady Mayor, on one of their last official engagements of their year. The Band of the Coldstream Guards provided the music and officers of the Regiment quickly assembled us all into line in order of precedence.
The service commenced with the parade of the Standards of the Royal British Legion and the Ceremonial Squad of the London Ambulance Service followed by the clergy and the Sheriffs. Fortunately the weather was dry and mild and the solemn but simple service followed traditional lines culminating with the Two Minutes Silence and the Last Post.
Crosses adorned with red poppies were then laid by the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries before the Livery Masters in turn laid their own Company cross in the green grass of the Churchyard (see picture). Elgar’s Enigma Variations was playing as we stepped forward to pay our respects to the Fallen; a most moving ceremony.
The Coldstream Guards then marched out leaving us all to reflect on the importance of remembering all those who gave their lives to the service of this country and the sacrifices they made. The Company and the wider Livery movement are proud to be able to play their part in this act of remembrance.
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