Hundreds of people turned out in Hackney yesterday morning to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our country.
The borough’s Remembrance Day parade saw a procession of 680 people march from the town hall in Mare Street to the nearby St John at Hackney Church.
Led by the Jewish Lads and Girls’ Brigade band, the parade featured people of all faiths and backgrounds including the Normandy Veterans Association, Royal British Legion, Reservists, cadets, scouts, police, firefighters and the Red Cross.
The speaker of Hackney Cllr Soraya Adejare and mayor Phil Glanville were also present, as was the Queen’s representative to Hackney Lt Col Roderick Morriss and MP Meg Hillier.
On arrival at the church, the speaker laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate those who lost their lives during military service and faith leaders from across the borough gave readings, before all paid their respects during the two minutes’ silence.
Revd Al Gordon led a moving church service attended by hundreds of people before the parade made its way back to the town hall for the traditional march-past and salute.
Cllr Adejare said: “Sunday’s service was very moving and it was an honour to stand alongside the hundreds of residents to pay tribute to our fallen service men and women from across Britain, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Anzacs and all other Commonwealth countries who fought under the British flag.
“There are many local families who have been affected by war and the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during the World Wars and all conflicts that have taken place since must not be forgotten.”
Lt Col Morriss said: “Although there is no one alive now who lived and fought in the First World War, there are few amongst us who have not been touched by the effects of war and conflict since.
“The purpose of the day is not just to remember but to impress on our minds the horrors of war in the hope that we might avoid the mistakes of the past.”
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the Second World War Hackney-sponsored warship.
HMS Ibis sunk off the coast of Algeria after taking a hit from enemy aircraft on November 10 1942. The ship was adopted by the former borough of Stoke Newington, now Hackney, during the Warship Week campaign, where the British government lobbied local community groups to purchase ships to help quickly replace those lost to enemy action.
As well as paying for the building of the ship, the community provided crews with hand knitted gloves, scarfs and hats.
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