A service to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Great War Armistice. Today at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 90 years after the guns of the Great War fell silent.
And we had good weather for it, cold but crisp and bright, for the three veterans, Bill Stone, Harry Patch and Henry Allingham. Three of the last men surviving who served in the war to end wars.
I got a good spot in the front of the public area, pushed forward by two kind men who thought there was room for a little ‘un.
Large screens showed us some of the pre-recorded footage from the BBCTV broadcast and extracts from the diaries and memoirs of men and women who fought and their relatives were read.
We sang Eternal Father Strong to Save and out of the corner of my eye I could see the veteran's party making their way out of the Ministry of Defence building. William Stone (108) ex Royal Navy escorted by Marine Mkhuseli Jones, Harry Patch (110) who served in Northern France with the Cornwall Regiment escorted by Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC and Henry Allingham ex RAF (112) escorted by Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman. The escorts are all decorated and currently serving.
They made their way to the Cenotaph and, with assistance, laid their wreaths.
Big Ben struck 11 and the Royal Marine Buglers played the Last Post to begin 2 minutes silence.
After Reveille Harry Patch was expected to give the oration, and I know that he did so in September at the Menin gate but today I could only hear the voice of the Bishop to the Forces.
We sang the second hymn The Day thou Gavest Lord is ended, prayers and the National Anthem and the three gentlemen and their escorts made their way down Whitehall and into Downing Street. I wish a member of the Royal Family had been present. (I found out later that the Duchess of Gloucester was present)
Other organisations then had their opportunity to lay their wreaths.
I met Steve of the Pub Philosopher blog and we made our way to Trafalgar Square where another screen had shown the event and relayed the service. Wreaths and poppies were floating in the fountains.
We will remember them.
And I doubt we will see their like again.
Preparations in Whitehall.
The veterans make their way to the Cenotaph, led by a piper. Henry Allingham is in the foreground. He tried to walk to lay his own wreath but was not able to.
Members of the services watch Harry Patch present his wreath.
Bill Stone, Harry Patch (Johnson Beharry with the white belt to his left) and Henry Allingham and other escorts make their way to Downing Street.
Poppies float in the fountains of Trafalgar Square.
Posted on 11/11/2008 1:22 PM by Esmerelda Weatherwax
.jpg)
%20(2).jpg)
.jpg)
