2004

Second anniversary of the Memorial Gates Committee commemorating First and Second World War Armed Forces

Wreath laying ceremony honours volunteers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa and Caribbean

London UK - The Memorial Gates Committee held its second annual wreath laying ceremony on 12th November 2004 at the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill. The ceremony paid special tribute to the five million men and women from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa and the Caribbean who volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces of Britain during the First and Second World Wars.

The Bishop of London delivered a powerful speech about remembering all those who died over the last century. He urged guests to remember their stories and honour their memory.

The Prince of Wales sent a magnificent wreath and personal message which Baroness Shreela Flather JP, DL, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Trust read out loud.

Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL, Founder and Chief Executive of Cobra Beer and Chairman of the Memorial Gates Committee also said a few words: “Last month, at the 60th Anniversary service of the Army Benevolent Fund at Westminster Abbey, an inscription was read out “To the world he was a soldier; to us he was the world”. To every one of the five million, we say to you, to the world you were soldiers; to us you were and you are the world - you gave us your today for our tomorrow.

“You have inspired succeeding generations to share the ideals and commitment for a free and peaceful world, particularly in a world today increasingly beset by new conflicts and dangers of a type that was perhaps unimaginable years ago.”

Also present were the India Deputy High Commissioner, His Excellency Shri Satyabrata Pal; the Pakistani High Commissioner, Her Excellency Dr. Maleeha Lodhi; the Royal Nepalese Ambassador, His Excellency Prabal SJP Rana; Sri Lankan representative, Councillor for Defence, Ranjith Weerasuriya; Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Dr. Saiful Amin Khan; Morais Kerpens-Lee, Major (ret’d), representative from the Caribbean.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt. Hon Paul Boateng MP and representatives from the three Armed Forces also honoured the volunteers.

The Memorial Gates were officially inaugurated by HM The Queen in November 2002 and erected to serve as a lasting symbol of gratitude to all those who volunteered, as well as a remembrance of their bravery and dedication. It also commemorates the heritage of their descendants, who now form an integral part of modern British society.

Each of the four stone columns of The Gates is carved with the names of the countries that participated in the First and Second World Wars, and the dome of the Pavilion is adorned with the names of those who were awarded the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. Two stone benches on either side of this Pavilion have the names of the campaigns in which the volunteers participated. There is also an important message on the Memorial taken from a poem written by Ben Okri especially for the opening ceremony, reminding us that our future is greater than our past.