A larger audience and more particpants despite unwelcoming weather marked this year’s Remembrance Day parade at the African-Caribbean war memorial on Brixton’s Windrush Square yesterday (10 November).
The unified event marked 110 years since the outbreak of the First World War, honouring the African and Caribbean men and women, and all those who served in both World Wars.
The ceremony also marks the 10th anniversary of the memorial’s first public unveiling.
Inscribed with the words “Remembering the Forgotten,” the memorial was created by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, endorsed by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and was permanently installed on the square on Windrush Day 2017.
Participants include representatives from High Commissioners, MPs, veterans, military personnel, and special guests.
A bugler played Last Post and a minute’s silence was observed before a military march past the memorial and a public wreath-laying ceremonym.
Of the 17.3 million service personnel who served in both World Wars it is estimated that two million came from Africa and the Caribbean.
This annual event is organised by the Nubian Jak Community Trust in partnership with the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP), the Black Cultural Archives, Friends of Windrush Square and supported by the Ministry of Defence and Lambeth council.