London Remembrance Parade
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We Will Remember Them.
When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today”
Our Business Admin Apprentice and local Sea Cadet, Archie Gallop, had the honour of participating in the London Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph on Sunday 10 November, as well as being in the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance show on the Saturday before the parade.
Read Archie’s blog below:
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Festival of Remembrance
On Saturday 9 November, I was part of a small amount of Sea Cadets who were able to attend the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance. Us (Sea Cadets) along with a few other youth organisations like the Air Cadets, the Combined Cadet Force and the Scouts, to name a few, were given the task to sell programmes and poppies. All money raised would either go towards the Royal Albert Hall or the Royal British Legion’s Poppy appeal we all know so well. After a bit of training on using the card machines I was placed into a group made up of one other Sea Cadet, one cadet from the Air Squadron Cadets, and one cadet from the Combined Cadet Force. Between the four of us, we were able to raise roughly £100 through Poppy donations, and between £900-£1100 through selling the programmes at £10 each. Through this process of marketing programmes and Poppies, we were able to interact with a variety of people. The most noteable being a few Veterans of war, as well as a CBE (Commander of the British Empire), which is the highest rank one can get, without a knighthood.
After our selling was finished, all of us were given the honour to attend the show itself. Being seated in the Gods, we were able to look down onto the stage in awe as famous people like Sir Tom Jones, Samantha Barks and Alexandra Burke sang. We were also able to enjoy the beauty that is the music played by the band.
We had the privelledge of giving the Veterans of the Second World War a standing ovation, as well as prolonged and proud clapping to show our appreciation of their dedication to service, and protecting our Country.
London Parade, Cenotaph March Past
On Sunday, I was proud to march alongside other Cadets for the Parade, and to mark the two minute silence by tolling of Big Ben, and Cannon Fire. While the day was long, it was definitely worth it, as we were able to pay our respects to all those that have fallen in conflicts across the world, at any time, be it WWI, WWII, or the conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. This was especially close to my heart, as my Uncle currently serves in the RAF.
I can say that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for both myself and many others on Parade, as this only happens for Cadets in Eastern Area once every six years.
I am imensely proud, and very happy to say that I was able to sing the National Anthem of England, within walking distance of His Majesty The King, The Princess Royal, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales. It is something I will never forget, even if I tried.
This occasion has also greatly aided in my decision to join the Naval Reserves when I turn 18, and have finished my apprenticeship, as this will give me the chance to serve and protect my country.
Armistice Day
I was proud to be invited by by old workplace St Luke’s Primary Care Centre to mark the two minute Silence at 11.00. For this, I had gone up in my uniform, with my Poppy in my Beret. I had also bought my speaker with me to play The Last Post, to mark the beginning of the silence, and The Reveille, to mark the end of the Silence.
