London Remembers WW1 - A Drumhead Service
Saturday 1st September 2018
On 28th June 2014, Past Master Mark Gower-Smith attended a Solemn Drumhead Service of Remembrance at the Royal Hospital Chelsea marking the centenary of the assassination in Sarajevo of HIRH The Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This event triggered 'The Great War' which was to last for four years, costing the lives of millions of military and civilian personnel across Europe and many millions more were wounded. That Service, was conducted by the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres in the presence of the Queen.
These last four years have seen many ceremonies and events that have marked key events that took place during The Great War as well as remembering the human sacrifice for the greater good of this country and its Allies. As this period draws to its close on 11th November 2018, a second Drumhead Service took place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 1st September 2018 to commemorate the actions of the London Divisions during the final Hundred Days Offensive; a bookend to the first Service.
Senior military personnel from the UK forces, Allied forces, diplomats, representatives of the City of London Corporation and London boroughs as well as the Livery Companies all joined regular military personnel and Chelsea Pensioners to remember and honour the London Divisions. The congregation also included descendants of the valiant. In elegant symmetry, this Service was led by the now ennobled Rt Rev and Rt Hon Lord Richard Chartres.
The Divisions representatived at the Service were London's Maritime Reserves, The Royal Yeomanry, The London Regiment, 600 Squadron RAuxAF and the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. The Marching Bands present were The Royal Yeomanry Band and The Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish.
