Camden New Journal - by LAURA MITCHISON Published: 15 November 2007
Margaret and Donald Gill join mourners
Hero veterans listen to Churchill victory speech as war dead are remembered
AMONG the grand monuments to royalty and explorers in Hampstead cemetery, a dozen Camden Air Force men rest in modest graves. Last Saturday, three generations of mourners assembled around the cemetery’s war memorial to commemorate those who died in the two world wars and other conflicts.
From elderly veterans and war widows to sixth-form students from University College School, 40 people of all ages attended the special service.
Reverend Alistair Tresidder of St Luke’s, Kidderpore Avenue, urged the congregation to pray for peace and remember soldiers of all nationalities still fighting for their country.
In keeping with Armistice Day tradition, a two-minute silence was observed during the ceremony.
Afterwards, a recording of Winston Churchill’s dramatic victory speech was played. Reverend Tresidder also paid tribute to civilians killed by Second World War bombing raids on West Hampstead.
Councillor Flick Reax and deputy mayor Nurul Islam laid a poppy wreathe below a memorial to those who died in Ardwick Road and neighbouring streets.