The sky was blue and the sun shining but there was an unmistakably serious and sombre atmosphere at the annual Armistice Day ceremony on Friday as the passing of those in Wednesday’s tram incident was remembered.
An estimated 1,200 people attended the ceremony at the cenotaph in Katharine Street but, in addition to marking the end of World War I, this year they came to mourn the seven who lost their lives in the Sandilands incident.
In addition to the traditional two-minute silence, and following the sounding of Reveille by the Army buglers in attendance, a further one-minute silence was observed as people lowered their heads in respectful memory.
The British Legion invited the borough commanders of both the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade, and there were fire tenders in attendance, with the crews on parade outside the Town Hall.
The borough’s book of condolence is available for all to sign in the Braithwaite Hall.
On Sunday (13), the annual Civic Service of Remembrance, paying tribute to the sacrifices of military and service personnel in conflicts past and present, will be conducted.
The service, held in conjunction with local branches of the Royal British Legion, will take place at Croydon Minster at 11am, conducted by the Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Revd Jonathan Clark. The service will contain special prayers for everyone affected by the events in Croydon this week.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and must be seated by 10.45am. Following the service, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Katharine Street cenotaph at 12.30pm, led by the Mayor of Croydon.
