Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, paying tribute to the sacrifices of military and service personnel in conflicts past and present, will be observed in Croydon this coming weekend.
Conducted by the Rt Revd Jonathan Clark, the Bishop of Croydon, the annual Civic Service of Remembrance will be held at Croydon Minster at 11am on Sunday (12), in conjunction with local branches of the Royal British Legion. 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 cenotaph in Katharine Street at 12.30pm, led by the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Toni Letts.
Representatives of military and public services, and borough-based cadet and youth groups will be in attendance.
The marching contingents of the parade will set off from near the Marks & Spencer store in North End at around 12.20pm.
They will march through North End arriving at Katharine Street at around 12.25pm. Katharine Street will be closed to traffic from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Councillor Toni Letts, Mayor of Croydon
“This is a very important time of year as we reflect on the brave endeavours and sacrifices of all our service men and women. And this year has particular meaning as it marks the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the First World War’s most hard-fought and deadly encounters, resulting in more than half a million casualties.
“While remembering those who gave their lives so that we might live, it is also an opportunity to think of those service men and women who, together with their families, continue to make sacrifices today.
“I’m sure the people of Croydon will join me in paying due respect on Remembrance Sunday and I invite all to attend the service and the wreath-laying ceremony.”
A small ceremony of remembrance will take place, also at the cenotaph in Katharine Street, on Armistice Day, Saturday (11). The traditional ceremony will mark the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
Led by representatives of the Royal British Legion, a traditional two-minute silence will be observed at 11am.
All are welcome to attend.