Armistice Day - Newham Central Park Cenotaph 2022 (and searching for Alf Wells, Clarion Cycles, KIA 1914)

 

This morning I attended yet another very moving Armistice Day memorial at the Cenotaph in Central Park. As well as the usual suspects (myself included) there was I think around 200 children from local schools gathered around Cenotaph, many of whom actively participated in the ceremony. 

At the end I searched the Cenotaph for mention of Alf Wells, who was a member of the local branch of the Clarion Cycles Club, who was killed in action in 1914. This was for a UNISON colleague interested in Labour history.  There was 2 surnames with Wells on the cenotaph but no one with an initial with "A". However, "Alf" could have been a nickname or even a middle name. I will continue to search for Alf.

Many thanks to the Royal British Legion, the local Newham Schools , their staff and especially historian, Lee Skeggs, for making this such a special and important event. 

Newham Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday 2016 :Remembering West Ham Pals

Picture collage incorporating last Friday's moving 11/11 Armistice Day service at the Central Park Cenotaph and the following Sunday Remembrance Day service at the historic West Ham All Saints Church.  West Ham MP Lyn Brown laid a wreath on behalf of Newham (top right).

Top left of collage is a picture of Cllr Winston Vaughan, who I think is now the only elected Newham Councillor to have been on active service in the UK Armed Forces. He is seen wearing his campaign medal resulting from the Aden Emergency in 1967.  Cllr Ann Easter is pictured with her husband Christopher Owens who is a Chaplain to the Newham Sea Cadets.

The Remembrance Service at All Saints on Sunday 13 November was also particularly moving since I was aware that it was the 100th anniversary to the day of a very bloody "Battle of the Somme" First World War attack at Quadrilateral, France by the locally recruited "West Ham Pals" Battalion.

During the service a young,  newly commissioned Lieutenant from the local Army Reserve Battalion "7 Rifles" gave a reading and also then talked about his experiences of comradeship and team building as a soldier. Like me he had first joined the (then) Territorial Army at University.  

Midshipman George L. Drewry VC RNR

Yesterday morning I attended a Commemorative Stone Ceremony at the Cenotaph in Central Park, East Ham, Newham, London.

It was to mark the unveiling of the first of 5 paving stones to be placed at the Cenotaph to remember the heroism of five Newham residents, who won our nations highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, during World War One.

Forest Gate born, George Drewry, won his Victoria Cross age 20 during the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915.

The ceremony was very much a naval affair led by Hon Vice Admiral The Lord Sterling of Plaistow, GVCO CBE RNR. There were other Royal Navy personal, Sea Cadets and a Royal Marine Bugler who played "The Last Post".

The Rifles, the British Legion, Police, Council, faith groups, local School children and residents were also there to honour Midshipman George Drewry.

In a nice touch they had a modern day Royal Navy Midshipman (this is the most junior Officer rank) give the account of the incredible heroism by George Drewry, who despite bring wounded, repeatedly risked his life under heavy enemy fire to enable troops from his ship to land at Gallipoli.

Check out the tale at Newham Story.

I hope to attend all the ceremonies commemorating Newham residents who won the Victoria Cross during First World War. 

The ceremony yesterday was special to me since (as already mentioned in this post) my Grandfather, Frederick Matthews MC, was also in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and fought in Gallipoli.

Remembrance Day: Newham Central Park Cenotaph 2011

"On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month...We shall remember them".

Picture (double click) is from this morning's beautiful service at the Central Park Cenotaph in East Ham, London. Local MPs Lyn Brown and Stephen Timms together with Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales have just laid their wreaths.

The "Last Post" and "Reveille" was played by a pupil from St. Bonaventures School. Children from local schools also read out loud poems and prayers - the exhortation "For the Fallen", the lovely "Forgotten Members of the Commonwealth" and the classic "Flanders Field". The hymn was "Abide With Me". Then words of thanks from Sir Robin followed by the National Anthem.  Afterwards veterans from the British Legion spoke to the children about  Remembrance day, the Cenotaph and red poppy's.  There was a reception later in the Town Hall which due to union commitments this year I had to unfortunately miss. 

92nd Anniversary of the Armistice: Central Park Cenotaph

This morning I attended a very moving Armistice service at the Central Park Cenotaph in East Ham. 

What I thought was really special was the involvement of local schools in marking the occasion.  The Newham Catholic Deanary Schools had done themselves proud with a marvellous turnout of young people.

This was of course a Royal British Legion event led by a Priest.  The Mayor, Sir Robin Wales, gave welcoming and closing comments.  However, the ceremony itself was largely carried by our next generations who gave solemn but beautiful readings and who walked respectfully to the Cenotaph and laid down wreaths, then stepped backwards, stopped, and bowed towards it.  Some of the younger ones didn't quite get all of the sequences 100% right but the seriousness they all took the occasion was inspiring. 

Afterwards a member of the British Legion gave a talk to the children about the first world war, about why Poppies are used to remember and stories about some of the people whose names are recorded on the Cenotaph.  (Picture right - double click to bring up details)

Refreshments were later served at Newham Town Hall which also had a special history exhibition. 

Where I found out that the reason why there is a small post war housing development across the road from my home is that the German Bombers flattened that area with incendiary bombs on 16 September 1940.