Good turnout for Windrush Square Remembrance Day service

Military bugler

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.

drummers
Drummers opened the proceedings
woman speaks with mic
Nairobi Thompson-Ehiogu introduced the event
military band
A military band played at the event
balloons released at public event
Balloons were released for 99-year-old RAF veteran Gilbert Clarke
two men shake hands
Dr Jak Beula congratulates Gilbert Clarke
man  speaks at public event
mayor in robes with mace bearer
Lambeth mayor John Paul Ennis was there with the Lambeth borough made bearer
mayor in robes speaks at open air public meeting
military cadets at parade
military parade
military parade
message on cinema frontage
audience at open air event
audience at open air event
Local MPs Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham & Brixton Hill), Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green) and Helen Hayes (Dulwich & West Norwood) with Mayor John Paul Ennis
man speaking with mic
Celebrant Shakara opened prayers with a libation
man reads at public ceremony
Roger Bowdery from the local Jewish community
man speaks at public ceremony
Umar Mahmood from the local Muslim community
CoE vicar
Reverend Erica Wooff, vicar of Stockwell Parish
man with military banner
clergyman speaks with mic
Rev Michael King
military man speaks
Brigadier General Macford Mbuzi, defence advisor at the Zambian high commission
woman with mic
Vivienne Siva, Community Relations Officer, Jamaican high commission
man with mic
Courtenay Harewood read the famous poem If We Must Die by Claude McKay
man in uniform with mic
Brigadier Karl Harris CBE
man in uniform with wreath
Former Lambeth mayor Christopher Wellbelove, Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough Of Lambeth, laid a wreath
women with wreaths at public ceremony
Lisa Anderson (l) director of the Black Cultural Archives and Ros Griffiths, chair of the Friends of Windrush Square
wreath laying
Wreath from Black Poppy Rose
Video grabs from the event

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