On Canvey, we have a war memorial campaigned for and contributed to by Canvey people and the Canvey British Legion.

Its main purpose is as a meeting place where, every Remembrance Day, islanders gather to join in the official national two-minute silence.

On November 11, I arrived at the memorial in the grounds of the Paddocks, expecting maybe a small service. A smattering of people waited in the rain, an old lady sheltered under her daughter’s coat, a Bermondsey Legion member was there visiting.

Together we bowed our heads for that special time and a gentleman spoke those “yesterday and tomorrow” words, but I later heard the official service had taken place in the shopping precinct!

Not to worry, there was always Remembrance Sunday.

A glorious Sunday morning found a crowd of people waiting at the war memorial. Parents with children, babies in prams, parents of serving soldiers, wheelchair users, uniformed military personnel, old warriors proudly displaying medals and berets, all assembled.

Eleven o’clock came and went without so much as a lowered standard, God Save the Queen, or the Last Post.

Much later, local dignitaries, Legion members, charity fundraisers and the clergy emerged from the Paddocks, having taken part in the Armistice Day service to remember the dead, but who had forgotten the living by hijacking those precious two minutes from a large number of the public waiting at the war memorial for the service.

Shame on them all.

Carol Harker
Atherstone Close

...I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Remembrance Day parade and the service at the new war memorial in Wickford.

Well in excess of 500 attended, followed by a splendid reception at the British Legion Club.

Dudley Naslund Chairman of Wickford Royal British Legion
Runwell Road
Wickford