Honouring their memory
Veterans and their families come together to remember ‘the lives lost in the First World War and all conflicts since’
Friday, 15th November 2024 — By Isabel Loubser
Islington South MP Emily Thornberry at Spa Green memorial with young Rainbows
VETERANS and their families came together to honour those who died in the two World Wars at Remembrance Day services over the weekend.
Wreaths were laid by Islington South MP Emily Thornberry at Spa Green and by Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn at a memorial by Manor Gardens, where he read an excerpt from Dulce et Decorum Est by First World War poet Wilfred Owen.
Year 6 pupils from The Gower School at Islington Green War Memorial
Ms Thornberry said she was “honoured to join members of our armed forces, cadets, civic leaders, and members of the public to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those affected by war across the world.”
She added: “On the stone slabs below the Islington Green War Memorial four words are engraved: Land, Air, Sea and Home.
Gower School head boy Hugo and head girl Maja lay a wreath
“It is not just those who went across the globe to fight that we should remember, but also those who were left behind worrying and thinking about those who had gone abroad, and who had to endure nightly aerial bombardment during the Blitz. Islington, like much of London, was hard hit.”
Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn used the occasion to call for peace in regions including Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.
He said: “Remembrance Sunday must be about bringing peace, not glorifying war.”
Father Nigel Palmer and altar servers from Our Most Holy Redeemer Catholic church, Clerkenwell, at Spa Green
The mayor of Islington, Councillor Anjna Khurana, was also in attendance at the Town Hall and Spa Green. She said: “Remembrance Sunday is a poignant time to honour the lives lost in the First World War and all conflicts since.
“It was wonderful to lay a wreath and pay my respects alongside members of the Armed Forces Community and residents at the remembrance events.”
MP Ms Thornberry lays a wreath
Pupils from The Gower School in Barnsbury joined the mayor for the procession from Highbury Fields down Upper Street to Islington Green War Memorial.
Head girl Maja and head boy Hugo both laid wreaths of hand-sewn poppies made by pupils in Years 1 and 2.
