Ealing North
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Steve Pound MP Ealing North |
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 Lest we forgetNovember 2004 “Now every April I sit on my porch and watch the parade pass before me/I see my old comrades, how proudly they march, renewing their dreams of past glory”. These lines come from the finest ever song written about the Great War and while “And the Band played Waltzing Matilda” refers to the Gallipoli campaign and ANZAC day the tune kept running through my head as I stood at the Greenford War Memorial on the 11th.day of the 11th.Month at 11am and on the following Sunday for the Royal British Legion service of remembrance. Those of us born after the War have lived our lives in peace and safety as a direct result of the sacrifice – often the supreme sacrifice – of the wartime generation and it is right that we acknowledge this with humility in November. That scores gathered at the War Memorial on Thursday and hundreds on Sunday morning is an extraordinary tribute to the Greenford Branch of the Royal British Legion and to the depth and breadth of support that it enjoys in our community. The Rector of Greenford, Rev.Neil Richardson, marched a group of pupils from Coston Primary School to the Memorial on Thursday and I wondered what went through their minds as they drank in the solemnity and dignity of the occasion. On Remembrance Sunday there were even more young people; Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Scouts, Guides and ordinary school pupils who came to remember a family member or to pay their respects. It is a constant source of amazement to me that the Act of Remembrance at Greenford attracts ever more people year by year. A silence fell over the area at the stroke of eleven and I challenge anyone to remain unmoved by the solemnity of the occasion. Greenford RBL doesn’t seek praise or thanks. They see the organisation of Remembrance Sunday as a duty that they are proud to undertake. Nevertheless I can’t not thank Reg Frampton, President, and Branch Chairman Bryan Binning and his Vice Chairman Norman Pearce. Peter Coleman, Secretary, will be sadly missed when he stands down and I know that everyone at the Legion will thank him for his work to date. It is greatly appreciated even if not often publicly acknowledged. Someone else who seldom gets public thanks is Branch Treasurer, Charlie Docherty. A stalwart of the Royal Naval Association, Charlie is a good friend but a dangerous companion on a night out. Thanks to all of the Committee for their superb organisation and special thanks to the Parade Standard Bearer, Alan Robinson, who did us proud on Sunday. At the heart of the Act of Remembrance is the poppy appeal and this not only allows us to wear a poppy as visible proof of the fact that we will remember the fallen but raise money for the ongoing work of the RBL. Sadly 1945, 1951 and 1982 did not see the end of conflicting involving British forces and the number of current and former service men and women who turn to the Legion for help and support does not diminish. The Poppy Appeal is co-ordinated and inspired by the dynamic Linda Britton and I know that I speak for the vast majority of my constituents when I thank Linda for her commitment and say how very much we respect and admire her for her unflinching work. My parliamentary predecessor, Harry Greenway, still helps out with the poppy appeal and while I disagree with Harry on matters of politics I join with him in thanking and supporting the Royal British Legion – not just in November but throughout the year. The song that I quoted above ends with the line “Year after year, their numbers grow fewer”. That does not apply to Greenford. As long as there is a Greenford RBL the fallen will be remembered and those who fight for our freedoms will be respected. I remember, I respect and I thank Greenford Branch for the solemnity of the Act of Remembrance, the success of the Parade and for their work throughout this and all the years. |
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| Disclaimer | Copyright | Designed by Bassam Mahfouz. Promoted by Julian Bell, The Labour Party, Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP on behalf of Steve Pound MP |
