Remembrance Weekend and Armistice Day in the constituency

It was a real privilege to attend remembrance events across the constituency this weekend, including memorials for South Woodford, Wanstead, Leyton and Leytonstone. Each service brought our community together to honour those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Saturday morning began at St Mary’s Church Hall, where councillors and residents gathered for the Dedication of the Field of Remembrance at Woodford War Memorial. I then joined the Civic Remembrance Service at St Mary’s Leyton - a truly moving occasion that brought together people of all backgrounds, including our RAF, police and army cadets, scouts (including sea scouts), and faith communities. During the service, I read Laurence Binyon’s “For the Fallen.”

At Wanstead War Memorial, Councillor Sheila Bain wore her late father’s medals with pride - she tried to keep them tucked away in her pocket but i urged her to wear them in his honour. Sheila's father served throughout WW2 in naval campaigns in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, including the Malta convoys and North African and Italian campaigns. Like many of that generation, he never spoke of his time at war.

Wherever we gathered, we honoured the fallen, reflected on their legacy, and showed that remembrance is a shared duty across generations, faiths, and backgrounds.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.