Remembrance Sunday at The Cenotaph, Whitehall
02 November 2009
Over 7000 veterans will gather at The Cenotaph on Whitehall on Sunday 8 November 2009, to take part in the Remembrance Sunday March Past, organised by The Royal British Legion, the National Custodian of Remembrance.
Among those organisations taking part in the March Past, seven are new for 2009: The Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland Association, Royal Army Pay Corps Regimental Association, Royal Navy Safety Equipment and Survival Association, Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer Association, Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Association, Pen and Sword Club and the Blue Cross.
The March Past will be led by the Legion Trustees and the National Chairman, Peter Cleminson. The lead 'column' will this year be headed by the Royal Signals Association.
Peter Cleminson, the National Chairman of The Royal British Legion, said: "I am always honoured, as National Chairman of The Royal British Legion, to lead the thousands of heroic veterans who line Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday.
"Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important days in the Legion calendar and it's a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces since the First World War right through to today. Our thoughts on Sunday will, of course, be with those men and women who are currently in Afghanistan, as well as the many men and women who have laid down their lives for the nation's freedom."
The National President of The Royal British Legion, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely KCB MC will be laying a wreath at the Cenotaph. Sir John has served in three major wars -the Falklands, Bosnia and Iraq. Sir John was awarded the Military Cross for his part during the Falklands War and served as Commander of the Multi-National Force (South West) during the Bosnia conflict. During the Iraq War, Sir John became the Senior Military Representative.
Prince Harry is to take part in the Remembrance Day commemorations at the Cenotaph for the first time on Sunday. He will lay a wreath at the London landmark, alongside the Queen and other members of the Royal Family, on behalf of his father, Prince Charles, who is on an official tour of Canada. Harry, 25, who is training to become an Army helicopter pilot, normally marks the occasion privately with his regiment.
