The pursuit of peace was the main message at the Wimbledon Village Remembrance Sunday service this year, which was attended by hundreds of people.

The service, conducted by the Bishop of Kingston Rt. Reverend Dr Richard Cheetham, emphasised the importance of remembering the soldiers and civilians who had died in conflict, both old and new, and looking at how to build a better future.

Rev Dr Cheetham said: “The key question for all of us is how we are going to respond to conflict, and bring a world of peace for all.” 

Wimbledon Times:

Representatives from the armed forces listen to the service 

Reverend Andrew Wakefield, of St Andrew’s Church, Wimbledon, said after the service: “The thing about Remembrance Sunday is that it’s always been about peace.

“People don’t want conflict. People always want peace in their own lives. It’s a jolly good idea that at least once a year we stop from our busyness and reflect.”

He added: “It’s the making of the Act of Commitment at the end that’s at the heart of it. Not just remembering the dead and praying for peace but making a commitment to live peaceful lives and strive for peace.

Wimbledon Times:

The service was held at Wimbledon War Memorial 

“It’s a choice we have to make as part of humanity.”

The gathered crowd and service people, including representatives from the council, the British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, the Royal Air Force, the London Army Cadet Force, the Scout Association and Girl Guides, joined together to pray and hold a two minutes silence.

They also sang hymns including ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and the national anthem, with musical accompaniment provided by The Merton Concert Band and The Wimbledon Choral Society.

Wimbledon Times:

The Merton Concert Band performed throughout the service 

Secretary of the Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition, Joanna Bazley, laid a wreath of white poppies at the memorial.

She said: “We see the young men, the civilians, as victims of something that was started by politicians. If a war happens, it’s a tragic political failure and we all need to work as hard as we can to stop it ever happening.

“My mother’s boyfriend was lost over the North Sea in the war. I was brought up with the appalling waste and appalling tragedy of it. Today I remember him, and people like him.

“A lot of people these days are too young to know. They don’t understand what a poppy really means, or the gravity of it as a symbol. There’s a danger of Remembrance Sunday becoming a poppy festival.”

And it wasn’t just the human cost of war that was remembered at the service, as Kiloran Cavendish, 56, of Cecil Road, South Wimbledon, laid a memorial in recognition of the animals that were killed in the war.

Miss Cavendish said: “I’m here for both the human victims and the animal victims.

“Seeing the film War Horse really brought it home to me. What horses went through was terrible.

Wimbledon Times:

Miss Cavendish's memorial for the animal victims of war 

"And it wasn’t just horses: there were pigeons carrying messages, and there were dogs running around carrying messages, and they are all casualties at the end of the day.

“One always wants peace when possible. It’s disturbing how many wars there are.”

Andy Wilkinson, 66, who lives in South Morden but travelled to Wimbledon for the service, has a history of navy service in his family.

He said: “Remembrance Sunday is very important. It’s important to remember not only what’s happened in the past, and have it recognised, but also what is happening right now, and what will probably go on to happen in the future.”

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