Armistice Day Cenotaph Commemoration

22/11/2024  -  9.24

Alex Alexandrou

The Football and War Network along with the Army FA was honoured to be invited to attend and lay wreaths at this year’s Armistice Day Commemoration event, held at the Cenotaph in London on the 11th November. This annual event is organised by the Western Front Association, with this year’s ceremony being particularly significant, as it marked the 30th anniversary of the WFA’s stewardship of this act of remembrance, a tradition that was begun in 1926, by the Old Contemptibles Association. The ceremony has grown from a small gathering to the significant event that it is now.

Army FA and Football and War Delegations. Source: Author's Collection

We were part of the Football Group that included delegations from the O’s Somme Memorial Fund, who lay a wreath on behalf of the fallen of Clapton Orient FC and teachers and students from the Keys Cooperative Academy Trust school, led by Women’s Football Historian, Steve Bolton.

The Football Group. Source: Steve Bolton

The Army FA delegation comprised of Graham Brookland, Gill Jones and Captain Krissy Wright. As Graham stated:

“To represent the Army Football Association and lay a wreath alongside my colleagues at The Cenotaph was an experience that will remain in the memory forever. We are forever grateful to the Western Front Association for the invitation and for such a positive and prominent partnership that also ensures that wartime stories are documented and remain in the public domain for the next generation to learn, which is so important.”

Other wreath layers included members of the British West Indian Trust, Chinese, Inter-Faith, Muslim and Sikh groups; WFA members representing the Youth of the Nation; members of the Combined Cadet Forces and the Peterborough Sea/Marine Corps; teachers and students from the King Edwards School Louth, Priory LSST Lincoln and Lincolnshire ACF, alongside WFA Officials; descendants of three Generals - Mr John Plumer (Field Marshal Sir Herbert Plumer), Lady Lucy French (Field Marshal Sir John French) and Lord Astor (Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig); and the heads of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

As Gill Jones said:

“It was an absolute privilege and honour to be able to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on Armistice Day, something I will always cherish and remember.”

Prior to the ceremony, on what turned out to be a crisp, sunny, autumnal morning, we all gathered in King Charles Street, just off Whitehall, where the anticipation was palpable. It was exciting to meet other wreath layers and hear their fascinating stories. We were then led out on to Whitehall by the Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish Regiment, which raised up the hairs on the back of your neck. As we entered Whitehall, we were astounded by the thousands of onlookers who had assembled to watch the event, which was being televised live by national and international media outlets. No pressure then! 

We took up our designated positions around the Cenotaph, which was guarded by a Vigil Party made up of Irish Guards. At 11.00am, the Bugler sounded the Last Post, which was followed by the Two Minutes Silence and the sounding of the Reveille. Then, along with the other representatives we silently laid our wreaths and paid our respects.

Following on from the wreath laying, the ceremony progressed with prayers led by the Padre, Brother Nigel Cave; WFA Member Colin Passmore reading the Dylan Thomas poem …And death shall have no dominion; a Lone Piper playing the Lament – Flowers of the Forest; the Bugler sounding the Sunset; and the Parade Marshal reciting The Exhortation. The ceremony ended and we solemnly marched back to King Charles Street. 

As Captain Krissy Wright reflected:

“After 26 years of Service in the Military – there are still occasions that take my breath away and this was definitely one of them. To have the honour of laying a wreath at The Cenotaph is an experience and moment that will live long in my memory.”

A Montage of the Commemoration. Source: The Army Football Association

However, that was not the end of the proceedings, as we had been invited to attend a Memorial Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, at the Royal Military Chapel, more commonly known as The Guards’ Chapel, which is just a short walk from where we had congregated in King Charles Street. The Chapel is a magnificent building and it was a joy and privilege to attend a service that included rousing hymns, readings, prayers and speeches, along with the sounding of the Last Post followed by a Minute’s Silence, sounding of the Reveille and concluded with the National Anthem and a blessing.

Lest We Forget

Biography

Alex Alexandrou is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Football and War Network.