Silence surrounded the town hall as those who fought in the First World War were remembered.
Today (August 4) marks 100 years since Britain entered the war and about 150 people gathered outside the council chamber in Ealing Broadway to recognise the sacrifices individuals made for our country.
Among those who were at the ceremony were Mayor of Ealing Councillor Tej Ram Bagha , Leader of Ealing Council Julian Bell, High Sheriff of Greater London Kevin McGrath and his wife Kate McGrath, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon Onkar Sahota, MP for Ealing North Steve Pound, MP for Ealing Southall Virendra Sharma, former Mayor and current Norwood Green ward councillor Mohammad Aslam, Royal British Legion members, representation from the Police, representatives from local business St George’s Dickens Yard and members of the public both young and old.
The leader of the council spoke about local heroes who had given their lives for our freedom in his moving speech, including Lance Sergeant Chris Casey who was killed in Iraq in 2007 and now has a road named after him in the Rectory Park Estate, Northolt.
Mr Bell said: “Today was about remembering individuals and families from Ealing that paid the ultimate sacrifice and about commemorating their lives. “Over the next four years we will look to review all our memorials and add any missing names, try find out about their history and pay our respects.”
He wanted to add how significant it was that the European Union was born out of the Second World War and one of the founding principles of it was to end war.
Also, to remember the importance of the big social changes which gave women more opportunities after the First World War.
The 50th Mayor of the borough said: “A lot of people sacrificed their lives for the country and for the world and people should remember them all the time. I want peace in the world. What is happening now all over is terrible but I hope that God will help make peace.”
Loretta Byrne, 71, who lives just off Northfields Avenue, attended the morning with fellow members of the ex-servicemen’s club in Craven Road, Ealing.
She said: “We always come up here for remembrance day in November and we will never see a parade like this in our lives again.”
