Islington commemorates Remembrance Day on the 100 year anniversary of First World War Armistice

The event takes place on the centenary of Armistice Day, marking the cessation of hostilities and the end of the First World War.

The parade of service units and veterans will form up at 10am outside Union Chapel in Compton Terrace, before marching down Upper Street. The Mayor, councillors and other officials will join the parade at the Town Hall at 10.15am, which will then proceed to Islington Memorial Green for the inter-faith service. A two-minute silence will take place at 11am and wreaths will be laid.

Local organisations including Scouts, Guides and St John’s Ambulance will also join the parade at the Town Hall.

Further Remembrance Day services/community events on Sunday, 11th November:

• Spa Green Gardens, Finsbury – 12pm, by the memorial on Rosebery Avenue.
• Manor Gardens First World War Memorial – 1.30pm, at the Islington War Memorial Arch, Manor Gardens, N7.

There will also be a beacon lighting ceremony in Dartmouth Park on the evening of 11 November, as part of a nation-wide tribute to the many who lost their lives in the First World War. The event will begin at 6.45pm and the beacon will be lit at 7pm.

At 7.05pm Islington churches, together with 1000 cathedrals and churches across the nation, will ring out their bells in celebration of peace and commemorating the end of the First World War.

Residents are also welcome to attend these and other events happening across the borough to mark Remembrance Day.

Cllr Dave Poyser, Mayor of Islington, said:

“On the 11th of November one hundred years ago the opposing sides of the most brutal and bloody conflict the world had ever known came together to agree a peace. Every year since that day, on what is now Remembrance Day, we come together as a community to remember.

“We remember not only the horror of the First World War but of every war, and we remind ourselves of the cost of warfare: the loss of millions of brave men and women. People who lost their lives in service to their countries, and the deep and lasting impact this had, and continues to have, on the family and friends they left behind.

“We recognise the indelible scarring that war causes to communities both here and around the world – wherever conflict touches – and we promise ourselves and our communities that we will always work toward peace.

“We invite all residents to join us on Sunday 11 November to give thanks to Islington’s servicemen and women, and commemorate all of those who have lost their lives in war.”

Cllr Gary Poole, Islington Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:

“The people of Islington have demonstrated year after year that Remembrance is important to them by attending our Services in great numbers.

“In 2018 we observe the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War and I encourage residents to come together again to pay homage to the thousands of Islingtonians who died for our freedom.”