We will remember them

On Monday 4th November the Livery Committee’s Garden of Remembrance Service took place in the garden of St Paul’s Cathedral. This event, one of the most meaningful and popular in the Livery calendar, was until 2020, organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL).

When the RBL announced it was unable to continue with the service, the Livery Committee at the request of the Lord Mayor took up the mantle and decided quickly that this event must continue; it formed a working party from the Fellowship of Clerks and Livery Committee and took on the organisation under the chairmanship of Vicky Russell.

An early morning muster was arranged in St Paul’s crypt. This proved to be very popular and there was a tremendous turnout with more than 280 Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff and Clerks and dignitaries attending the muster and breakfast at 9.30am.

After refreshments and speeches by Chair of the City of London Livery Committee Julia Sibley MBE, and National Vice Chair of the RBL Lynda Atkins, everyone was organised into processional order by our wonderful brace of Beadles, John Cash and Jon Perkins. More than 350 attended the service, consisting of the full civic party, eight RBL standard bearers, over 200 Livery Masters & Clerks, and numerous civic and military dignitaries. After the service more than 110 headed to Cutlers’ Hall for a delicious and convivial lunch.

Aware that encouraging diversity and inclusion is one of the top challenges of the Lord Mayor and the RBL, the committee took the decision to involve uniformed youth cadets, and were delighted that more than 30 attended, representing the City of London Academy, Islington (HAC) Combined Cadet Force and the City of London School Combined Cadet Force. This also helped engage youth in remembrance and the committee was pleased that all three services were represented.

As usual, named wooden crosses sourced from The Poppy Factory were labelled and made ready for the planting ceremony. The service was led by the Chaplain of St Pauls, beautifully accompanied by a band of the Scots Guards and choirs from City of London School, City of London School for Girls and the City of London Academy, Highgate Hill.

During the service, before he laid the first cross, the Lord Mayor delivered the address as follows:

We gather this morning at St Paul’s to remember all those who have laid down their lives in service to this country, making the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in freedom and without fear.

Together, we also remember those who have suffered great loss and who continue to serve in operations overseas. They are in our minds today, and always.

While the poppies we proudly wear every November are a symbol of remembrance, the funds they raise continue to provide hope, support and care for serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. They embody our shared commitment to ensuring that their sacrifice has not – and never will be – forgotten.

The legacy of those who have laid down their lives is all around us. It is fitting that we meet here, in the heart of our City, in the shadow of one our nation’s greatest monuments, to reflect and to pay tribute to the fallen.

The hymn we have just sung is about transformation, giving hope that even out of the darkest sorrow and suffering can come beauty and understanding.

It is an honour, in one of my final acts as the 695th Lord Mayor of London, to join you in this beautiful garden created by volunteers from the City Livery – who do so much to support our armed forces.

Together, we remember those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. We give thanks to those who continue to serve and risk everything for our protection, and as the City of London, we will continue to ensure their sacrifices will never be in vain.

Domine dirige nos.

There was an amazing diverse collection of people from all walks of life involved in this year’s service. To mention just a few, we loved the brilliant band, the brace of Beadles, the cacophony of choirs, the collection of cadets, loads of Livery, a multitude of masters, not to mention the civic party.

The Livery Committee is extremely grateful to the many companies and guilds who have generously contributed a donation to cover operating costs and enabled the committee to be able to award substantial grants to the RBL and St. Paul’s Cathedral for their valuable support.

Thanks are owed to so many, in particular Open Spaces team, St Paul’s Event team, RBL Standard Bearers, the School Choirs under the wonderful direction of Richard Quesnel, Director of Music, City Schools, the Cadet Units and of course the working party.

The working party consists of Garden of Remembrance Committee Chair Victoria Russell, Nicholas Westgarth, Chair of the City of London Livery Committee Julia Sibley MBE, Chair of the City of London Livery Committee Philip Woodhouse, Liveryman David Barrett, Chairman of the Fellowship of Clerks Kate Pink, Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Educators Christian Jensen, and Secretary of the Fellowship of Clerks Christine Cook.

The Livery Committee was delighted to organise this special event, by the livery with the livery for the livery and is already planning for the 2025 event.

Photography: Andy Sillett www.sillettphotography.com