Remembrance 2023: East London commemorations in pictures

Here are some of the moments captured from the weekend’s services.

Redbridge

Fairlop Waters Country Park

Remembrance Day events got off to a sunny start at the Fairlop Waters ceremony on Saturday, November 11. 

It was the fourteenth service organised by David Martin and Fairlop Heritage Group at Fairlop Waters Country Park. 

The procession at Fairlop Waters (Image: Stephen Martin)

Amongst ceremony-goers was a group captain from the French Air and Space Force. 

David said he gave an “impassioned” speech in both French and English about the two countries “who have been friends in the past and the present”. 

Deputy lieutenant Thomas Chan, Deputy Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Sairi Jamil, Group Captain Deflaux, French Air & Space Force, leader of the council Cllr Jas Athwal, Wes Streeting, MP and Councillor Ruth Clark. (Image: Stephen Martin)

He wrapped up his speech by making mention to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the future under King Charles III. 

Ilford War Memorial

Redbridge Council held a memorial on Sunday, November 12 at the Ilford War Memorial. 

Unfortunate weather did not stop attendees from paying their respects. 

Armed forces representatives at the Council Civic Service of Remembrance at Ilford War Memorial (Image: Redbridge Council)

A Redbridge Council spokesperson said: “Across Redbridge local communities gathered to pay tribute to the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and way of life.

“Services took place in Newbury Park, Wanstead, Woodford, Snaresbrook, Fairlop and Hainault.

Council Leader, Cllr Jas Athwal, Redbridge Mayor Cllr Jyotsna Islam and Deputy Mayor Cllr Saria Jamil joined by faith leaders and representatives from the Armed Forces at Ilford Ward Memorial (Image: Redbridge Council) (Image: Redbridge Council)

“Council leader, Cllr Jas Athwal, Redbridge mayor Cllr Jyotsna Islam and deputy mayor Cllr Saria Jamil joined faith leaders and representatives from the armed forces at Ilford War Memorial on Sunday to lay wreaths and pay their respects.”

Newham

Brick Lane Music Hall, Silvertown

The Remembrance event at Brick Lane Music Hall, Silvertown took place on Sunday, November 12.

Members of the Silvertown Royal British Legion were joined by local residents and staff of the music hall. 

Deputy Mayor James Asser at the service (Image: Andrew Baker)

The service of Remembrance was led by Canon the Rev Ann Easter, and the Right Rev Monsignor John Armitage.   

The Remembrance service also included a rededication of the St Mark’s War Memorial that was given a Grade II listing by Historic England in 2012 after being restored by the music hall. 

Attendees were able to see the added restoration work by Shannon Topliss on the War Memorial to restore the names that had faded over time. 

The restored memorial was unveiled (Image: Andrew Baker)

East Ham Cenotaph, Central Park

The main Remembrance service in Newham took place on Sunday, November 12. 

Members of the Royal British Legion paraded from Newham Town Hall to Central Park. 

The parade stopped at the East Ham Cenotaph in Central Park (Image: Andrew Baker)

The service at the Cenotaph was held by The Reverend Canon Fred Ashford-Okai and was attended by Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, uniformed services and other groups. 

There was a two-minute silence and wreath laying. 

Officials seen at the wreath laying (Image: Andrew Baker)

Tower Hamlets

Town Hall

A two-minutes silence was held at Tower Hamlets Town Hall to commemorate Remembrance Day. 

In the same event, wreaths were also laid in memory of servicemen and women in the two world wars and later conflicts. 

This took place on November 11, and was attended by council leaders and staff.

Council leaders & staff with the Speaker, Deputy Lieutenant, & Freeman John Ludgate (Image: Tower Hamlets Council)

Barking and Dagenham

Job Drain Memorial, Broadway Theatre

Barking and Dagenham held a service at the Job Drain Memorial, near the Broadway Theatre in Barking on November 10.

The Remembrance service was followed by wreath laying. 

Speaking at the event, council leader Darren Rodwell said: “We should be very proud of all of our citizens, those that have given their lives, those that have served and those that still suffer the pain they have seen in war.”

The service at the Job Drain Memorial (Image: Barking & Dagenham Council)

Other commemorations were held in Dagenham and, on Remembrance Sunday, a parade took place through Barking before a service at St Margaret’s Church.