As we commemorate the centenary of the cessation of the First World War this Sunday November 11, we look at the places locally that you can come together and pay your respects, writes?Susie Kellie…
Across the country and indeed the globe people will? come together at 11am this Sunday, exactly 100 years on from the Armistice,? of ‘the war to end all wars’.
The act of observing a two minute silence began in 1919, following the Armistice at 11am on 11 November 1918.
In 1921, the year the Royal British Legion was formed, ‘Armistice Day’ was formally adopted as the national day of remembrance.
Southwark:
The St Saviour’s War Memorial
Borough High Street, SE1
Sunday, November?11 (gather at 10:45am)
This is the official borough service that is public and attended by the Mayor of Southwark, past mayors, free citizens of the borough, Honorary Aldermen as well the three MPs and the Leader of the Council and all politicians from all parties. There are also representatives of the Royal British Legion, members of the armed forces, emergency services? and a representative of the Deputy Lieutenant.
Although the parish of St Saviour,? was absorbed into the old Metropolitan Borough of Southwark in 1900, there was strong local pressure for a war memorial commemorating those who had lived or worked within this? historic parish by the Cathedral.
This war memorial was paid for by public subscription following a competition organised by the local war memorial committee which was assessed by Sir Cecil Harcourt Smith of the Victoria and Albert Museum; the winning design was by the sculptor Philip Lindsey Clark.
The figure, according to the sculptor, was intended to ?express the same dogged determination and unconquerable spirit displayed by all branches of our forces on land, on the seas, and in the air?.
The ?4,000 raised also provided for a tablet designed by Sir John Ninian Comper in the Lady Chapel at Southwark Cathedral which is inscribed with the 334 names of the fallen. Both memorials were unveiled on 16 November 1922 by General Lord Horne and dedicated by Dr W W Hough, Bishop of Woolwich.
The bronze sculpture and panels were cast by M Maneti, founders.
St Saviour?s War Memorial was restored by Southwark Council in 2014.
This service will be led by The Very Revd Andrew Dunn, Dean of Southwark, assisted by the clergy of the district.
West Lane War Memorial??
West Lane off Jamaica Road, SE16
Sunday, November 11 (gather at 10:45am)
This war memorial was erected after World War I to honour the men of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe who served and died in the conflict.
It was unveiled by the Bishop of Southwark in October 1921 and replaced a temporary memorial of 1920.
The architect is unknown and further inscriptions were subsequently added to the monument. These commemorate both civilians and members of the civil defences and fire brigade who lost their lives in World War II.
A part of the inscription recalls the heavy price paid by ordinary Londoners in the London Blitz, which began in September 1940 and particularly affected the people of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.
The service at West Lane will by The Revd Tony Lucas.
St George?s Cathedral Two Part Service
Sunday, November 11
Act of Remembrance (10:50am)
Requiem Mass (11:30am)
Free admission
Led by Archbishop Peter, the church will gather outside the cathedral in front of the cross followed by a mass service to honour all service men and women ? ex and current, who have been killed in war and conflict.
For more information click here?
Bermondsey war memorial?
Old Jamaica Road,
Sunday, November 11, 10am
Wreath laying ceremony
A short-wreath laying ceremony to Bermondsey’s fallen, conducted by clergy from nearby St. James? Church and will feature cadets from the 72 Detachment ACF on parade.
More details here.
Blue Market, Bermondsey
‘Thank you’ Art work sale
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th November
A selection of artwork will be on sale at the market from residents of the Avondale Estate. All proceeds will go towards the Royal British Leigon and the Chelsea Pensioners.
More details about the ‘thank-you’ project here.
Borough at War Exhibition
Borough Road Gallery
Thursday, November 8
(12:00pm ? 17:00pm)
Artist David Bomberg will be showcasing art inspired by the First World War. The exhibition will tell the story of the First World War by looking through London South Bank University archives. Southwark residents, historic records and students will also be included in the story of the war.
For more information please visit:
http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/whats-on/borough-at-war-lsbu-southwark-081118
Sands Films Studio, Rotherhithe
Screening of Good Soldier Scwejk, a political comedy which highlights the absurdity of war
7pm ? 9pm, Sunday 11th
82 St Marychurch St, London SE16 4HZ
More details here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-good-soldier-schwejk-tickets-50931161475
St Mark?s Church, Kennington
Church service held partly in Church and partly outside by World War 1 memorial
10:30 ? 12:00, Sunday 11th
337 Kennington Park Rd
London
SE11 4PW
St Stephen’s Church, South Dulwich
Sunday November 11
10:15-11:15am?College Road,?SE21 7HW
A Remembrance service including the 2 minute silence outside at the church’s war memorial at 11.00am
More details here.
Greenwich:
Wreath Laying
Free admission
Greenwich kicks of its centenary celebrations with a weekend of wreath laying tributes which will be held at the following locations:
Friday, November 9?
10:45am Woolwich Town Hall, Wellington Street SE18
14:30pm War Museum Hospital, Shooters Hill Road SE18
15:00pm Greenwich Cemetery War Museum, Westmount Street SE9
Saturday November 10th???
10:45am Thamesmead War Memorial Service, Joyce Dawson Way, SE28
10:45am Maze Hill War Memorial Greenwich Park, Charlton Way (Maze Hill junction), SE3
11:20am St John?s Church, Stratheden Road, SE3
11:40am St Luke?s Church, The Village, SE7
12:00pm Charlton Cemetery, Cemetery Lane, SE7
12:00pm Plumstead Cemetery War Memorial Lodge Hill, Upper Wickham Lane, SE2
12:20pm Woolwich New Cemetery War Memorial, Camdale Road, SE1
Sunday November 11th
10:30am Eltham War Memorial veteran and cadet parade followed by a church service at St Johns the Baptist Church, Eltham High Street, SE9
10:40am St Michaels All Angels Church Service, Abbey Wood Road, SE2
11am Flight Lieutenant, Richard Reynell memorial service, The Point, SE10
Buglers and Beacons
Cutty Sark Gardens, General Gordon Square
Last post (18:58pm)
Two minute silence (19:00)
Buglers from the Cadet Forces will play the Last Post, followed by a two minute silence and the lighting of the boroughs three beacons will be lit.
Canaries
November 16?& 17
Free admission
Building 41, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18
A play written by Greenwich resident and screenwriter, Louisa Le Marchand will explore the hardships of war as well as the love, laughter and companionship that the women of Woolwich Royal Arsenal found in their lives. The play will be performed in one of the few remaining buildings where women munitions workers actually worked.
?For more information please visit:
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/centenary
Lambeth:
Armistice ceremony at Imperial War Museum
Sunday, November 11
There will be two minutes of silence followed by a performance by Sinead Barton, Principle Violinist at the Lambeth Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Sinead will be playing on a violin made with sycamore and pine trees which grew in the battlefields on the western front.
For more information please visit:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london/armistice-ceremony-at-iwm-london
Streatham War Memorial
Sunday, Noevember 11 – from 10:30am
This special service is open to everyone regardless of religious beliefs and will pay tribute to ex-service men and women from ethnic backgrounds.
For more information or to support the Streatham Civic Remembrance Day please visit:
If you are having a wreath laying and observing the two-minutes silence on this historic day, but it has not been included above let us know by emailing kevin@southwarknews.co.uk