Rememberance services held across the borough.
REMEMBERANCE services were held across Merton to honour our armed services on Sunday 8 and Wednesday 11 November.
Services were attended by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Nick Draper, Civic representatives,Royal British Legion and represenataives from the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust.
The first service started at 9am at Nelson’s Hospital Forecourt on November 8, and at 10.40 am the Mayor, representatives and members of the Wimbledon branch of the Royal British Legion were at the Wimbledon War Memorial.
At Mitcham war Memorial, Lower Green West there was a service at 10.40am and in St Lawrence’s church, Morden at 10.30am, attended by the corresponding branches of the Royal British Legion.
“Our servicemen and women are never far from the news or from our thoughts at the moment; but that’s nothing new. Their bravery and their dedication carry on through the years. Conscript or professional, they have protected Britain and the world against invasion, against persecution, against extremism,” said Mayor Draper.
On the November 11 a two-minute silence was observed and at 10.50am this was led at the Civic Centre, London Road, Morden and at the Clock Tower, Fair Green, Mitcham.
Deputy Leader of Merton Council Councillor Samantha George said: “Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day on 11 November are both chances for people to remember the very great sacrifices our armed forces make and have made for us in the past.”
The Royal British Legion is the major voice for service and ex-service people throughout the year. They provide welfare and support for them and campaign on their behalf about housing, employment and health issues.
They ensure soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and more recent conflicts such as the Falklands, Afghanistan and Iraq are remembered.
They do this through Remembrance services and raise about £30million per year through their poppy appeal, this money benefits those for which the organisation was established.
