Local dignitairies and representatives of the Overseas Territories joined thousands around the world on Sunday (November 10), to lay wreaths “for the first time at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph.
Thousands joined cabinet ministers, religious leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations, as well as hundreds of armed forces personnel in the UK this morning, to pay their respects.
Crowds began gathering at the memorial at 8am, many people who turn up year after year.
“Prince Charles laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph memorial in central London on behalf of the Queen, who watched from a nearby balcony along with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.”
The Mirror reports: “A uniformed Prince of Wales was the first to place a wreath of poppies at the foot of the memorial on behalf of the Queen.
“The Queen watched from a nearby balcony and appeared to be wiping away a tear during the poignant service.”
In Bermuda, a spokesperson said: “This year representatives the inhabited Overseas Territories and of the three Crown Dependencies laid their own wreaths in remembrance of their many contributions in both World Wars and other conflicts.
“The Bermuda wreath was laid by Kimberley Durrant, Director of the Government of Bermuda’s London Office.
“The Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies have previously been represented by the wreaths laid by Her Majesty The Queen and the Foreign Secretary.
“The change comes at an especially poignant time as this year marks the 100th Anniversary of Remembrance Sunday and has also seen the addition of other new wreaths, including from Nepal to honour the Gurkhas, and by the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary who laid wreaths on behalf of the Intelligence Agencies.”
Governor John Rankin said: “Bermudians fought with Allied Forces in both World Wars and we rightly honour their contribution each year on Remembrance Day in Bermuda.
“I’m delighted that a representative of Bermuda has laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London in memory of those who helped to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Premier David Burt said: “The recognition of the brave service of Bermudian men and women in the World Wars is a much welcomed addition to the London Service of Remembrance.”
“The Overseas Territories represented were Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“The three Crown Dependencies were the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man,” the spokesperson added.
“Fifty-four Bermudians served in the First World War with the Bermuda Militia Artillery, the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corp and with the wider Allied forces. 94 never returned.
“During the Second World War 105 members of the Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA) formed the Bermuda Contingent of the 1st Caribbean Regiment, which served in Europe and North Africa. At home, the BMA manned the St David’s Battery and later Warwick Camp.
“The Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps served as a company in the Lincolnshire Regiment. Two contingents, totalling 100 men, served with the Lincolns, including in North West Europe and Burma. Of the many Bermudians serving overseas in WWII, 35 made the ultimate sacrifice.
“At home, the Bermuda Militia Infantry and Bermuda Volunteer Engineers, along with those who remained of the BVRC and BMA, guarded our shores.
“Bermuda’s Remembrance Day Parade will take place at The Cenotaph on Front Street on Monday 11 November commencing at 10:30am.”
In London: “An equerry laid a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh who was not present at the ceremony for the second year in a row after having retired from royal duties in 2017.
“The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex followed their father in laying wreaths.
“The Queen was seen wearing five poppies above a diamond brooch.
“There are many theories as to why she wears so many, the most commonly accepted being that each is to represent a different branch of the services.
“She has one for the Navy, Army, Air Force, Civil Defence and the final poppy is to represent women,” the report said.
“Meanwhile Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Prince William were side by side as the ceremony was underway.
“As Big Ben struck 11am, a two minutes silence was observed, with its beginning and end marked by the firing of a gun by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
“Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn stood side by side during the commemorative proceedings,” the report added.
“The pair were joined in laying wreaths by Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, the DUP’s Westminster leader Nigel Dodds and newly elected Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
