Remembering those who died in conflicts
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
Silence will fall across South-east London as residents pay tribute to those killed and injured protecting these islands.
Servicemen and women will be honoured with two minutes’ silence on November 11 across the country, with Remembrance Day services held throughout the area the following day.
Poppies have been on sale for weeks, with most people wearing them to remember the dead, and the money raised for the Royal British Legion – the charity which supports the UK’s armed forces.
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, which saw about 900,000 British and colonial soldiers die.
Among the remembrance services taking place this weekend are:
LEWISHAM
Two Remembrance Sunday services will be held in Lewisham from 10.50am on Sunday, to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two world wars and later conflicts.
One will be held at the war memorial in Upper Brockley Road (at its junction with Lewisham Way).
Another will be held at the war memorial in Lewisham High Street, opposite Lewisham Hospital. Both services will start a few minutes before 11am.
GREENWICH
Woolwich (11am)
A two minutes silence will be observed at Woolwich Town Hall on Friday, in memory of those who fought and died or were injured in the causes of peace and freedom. The Mayor, Councillor Peter Brooks, and the leader, Cllr Denise Hyland, will be in attendance.
Thamesmead (2.40pm for 2.55pm start)
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Clocktower, organised by the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Branch).
Saturday 11 November 2017
Charlton and Blackheath (10.45am for 11am start)
Wreath-laying ceremonies organised by the Royal British Legion (Blackheath and Charlton Branch).
Beginning at the memorial at Maze Hill, SE3, then on to St Johns Church, Stratheden Road, SE3, on to the memorial in Charlton Village, SE7, and finally on to the memorial in Cemetery Lane, SE7.
Plumstead (10.40am for 11am start)
Wreath-laying ceremonies organised by the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead).
Beginning at the memorial in Plumstead Cemetery, Lodge Hill, SE2 then on to the memorial in Woolwich New Cemetery, Camdale Road, SE18.
Access for Plumstead Cemetery is via Lodge Hill and not Cemetery Road, SE2, as this entrance is closed.
Sunday 12 November 2017
Eltham (10.45am)
A morning Remembrance Day parade and service organised by the Royal British Legion (Eltham and Well Hall Branch).
Parade of veterans, ex-service groups and youth organisations, with a wreath-laying ceremony at Eltham War Memorial (junction of Eltham Hill and Eltham High Street, SE9 1DH) and two minutes silence at 11am.
This is followed by a Remembrance Service in St John’s Church, Eltham Hill, Eltham, SE9 1DH.
Abbey Wood (10.40am)
A morning Remembrance Service organised by the Royal British Legion (Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Branch).
The service is at St Michaels and All Angels Church, Abbey Wood Road, SE2, then on to the Abbey Wood Memorial at Abbey Wood Gardens, Rosedale Close, SE2.
Mayor of Royal Greenwich, Councillor Peter Brooks, said: “Every year, we as a nation fall silent for two minutes to remember those soldiers and service personnel who have died in wars and conflict. We are safer here in the UK because of their sacrifice and we owe them our gratitude.”
BEXLEY
Bexleyheath
The public Remembrance Day event at Oaklands Road War Memorial, Steeple Memorial Gardens, Bexleyheath. from 10.30am. The service will take place from 10.40-11.30am for the Reserve Armed Forces from the centre at Watling Street, the local Royal British Legion, the congregation from Christ Church, Bexleyheath.
Crayford
A major commemoration event at St Paulinus Church in Crayford starts at 10.30am and with a parade down to the local war memorial and a short service at 11am.
Erith
Two minutes silence will be held at the War Memorial at the St John the Baptist church in Erith. The service is at 10am, with the two minutes silence starting at 11am.
Sidcup
A service at St John’s Church, Sidcup, from 10.55am, will be followed by a short walk to the war memorial at The Green at Sidcup and a wreath laying ceremony at 11.30am.