Greenwich prepares to uphold its historic commitment to Remembrance weekend

Remembrance events are set to take place across Greenwich next weekend, with the Royal British Legion branches of Abbey Wood and Thamesmead, Blackheath and Charlton, and Eltham and Well Hall all involved.

A two-minute silence, wreath laying ceremonies, remembrance services and a public parade will take place across the borough in memory of those who lost their lives serving in the causes of peace and freedom.

Councillor Jit Ranabhat, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “We are a Royal Borough with a rich military heritage and proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. Remembrance Weekend is an important opportunity to honour our armed forces community, and make sure they continue to feel heard and supported.

“I invite residents to attend our remembrance events across the borough to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our armed forces past and present.”

In 2022, the council re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant on Armistice Day, at Woolwich Town Hall. The covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

Next Friday (November 8) at 2pm, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill. That will be followed by another wreath laying at Greenwich Cemetery war memorial, Well Hall Road, at 2.45pm.

A busy Saturday will include wreath laying at Thamesmead Clocktower (10.45am) and at the Maze Hill war memorial (11am) before a procession to St Johns Church, Stratheden Road, Charlton Village war memorial, and Cemetery Lane war memorial.

At noon, there will be wreath laying at Plumstead Cemetery war memorial, Wickham Lane, followed by one at 12.30pm at Woolwich New Cemetery war memorial, Camdale Road.

Remembrance Sunday will include a parade from 10.40am with two-minute silence at 11am at Eltham war memorial, followed by a service in S. John’s Church, Eltham Hill, Eltham.

Other services at the same time are due to take place at St Michaels and All Angels Church, Abbey Wood Road, followed by wreath laying at Abbey Wood war memorial in Abbey Wood Gardens and at Woolwich St George’s Garrison Church, Grand Depot Road. Please e-mail Tim Barnes at tim@ttbarnes.com if you would like to attend this event.

At 11am, there will be wreath laying at the war memorial of Flight Lieutenant Richard Reynell at The Point, Point Hill, Blackheath.

At 11am on Monday, a two-minute silence takes place at Woolwich Town Hall, Wellington Street, led by the Mayor.

To find out more about services and support available to the armed forces, please visit: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/armed-forces

Pictured top: A previous parade in Greenwich to mark Remembrance weekend (Picture: LB Greenwich)