A quiet tribute was paid to the brave men and women named at the West Wickham war memorial ahead of the Remembrance Day services.
The Mayor of Bromley visited the West Wickham site to reflect on the sacrifices made both locally and nationally by those who have given their lives serving their country.
During the visit a new addendum plaque was viewed, which has been installed on the Beckenham and West Wickham memorials. This plaque corrects the spelling of Private Alfred M Fullex, a soldier who lost his life fighting in the First World War, whose name had been unfortunately spelled incorrectly on the memorials for over 100 years before a relative of Private Fullex brought this to light.
Councillor Hannah Gray, Mayor of Bromley said: “I am very pleased that we have made an alteration to correctly honour Private Fullex’s legacy just as we are about to come together as a borough and as a country to reflect on all the sacrifices that have been made in defence of our homes and our livelihoods, including here in Bromley. Thank you to those members of the community who have spent time organising events, decorating or selling poppies to raise much needed funds for the Royal British Legion. Your time and effort help us all to take part in this important act of remembrance, and at this time we might like to think about some of the names listed on our memorials. We will remember them.”
The West Wickham War Memorial was unveiled on Sunday 12 June 1921 at its original location on West Wickham High Street by Lt. Colonel Vansittart, one time commander of the 8thBattalion Royal West Kent Regiment. Three separate plaques record 72 local men who died in the First World War with an added plaque in remembrance of the men and women who died in the Second World War.
The Beckenham War Memorial was unveiled on Sunday 24 July 1921 by former Sergeant Bert Hanscombe D.C.M., M.M., one of 9 brothers who fought in and survived the First World War. The memorial displays over 700 names of those who died from the First World War and over 300 from H.M. Forces in the Second World War, as well as over 250 civilians killed during the war.
During the morning of Sunday 13 November 2022, Remembrance Day services will be held throughout the borough, as detailed below.
Bromley Town
Bromley Parish Church, St Peter and St Paul, Church Road BR2 0EG
The Mayor, Councillor Hannah Gray, and the Consort to the Mayor, Councillor Colin Hitchins, Representative Deputy Lieutenant Robert Murfin TD DL, Sir Bob Neill MP and the Chief Executive, Mr. Ade Adetosoye CBE, will attend the service. Those attending the service are asked to arrive by 10:30am for a 10:45am service. After the service, the civic party will proceed to the War Memorial for the wreath laying ceremony.
Bickley and Sundridge
St. George’s Parish Church, Bickley Park Road, Bickley BR1 2BE
Councillor Kira Gabbert will represent the borough, lay a wreath and read a lesson at the 10:30am service at St. George’s Parish Church.
Biggin Hill
St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, Main Road, Biggin Hill TN16 3EG
Councillor Sophie Dunbar will represent the borough, lay a wreath and read a lesson at the 10:30am service at St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance.
St. Mark’s Church, 10 Church Road, Biggin Hill, Westerham TN16 3LB
Councillor Melanie Stevens will represent the borough, lay a wreath and read a lesson at the 9:30am service at St. Mark’s Church, Biggin Hill.
Biggin Hill War Memorial, Main Road, Biggin Hill TN16 3DY
Councillor Melanie Stevens and Mr Richard Scoates will represent the borough and lay a wreath at Biggin Hill War Memorial following the service at St Mark’s Church.
Bromley Common and Holwood
Holy Trinity Church, Church Lane, Bromley Common BR2 8LB
Councillor Jonathan Laidlaw will represent the Borough and lay a wreath at the 10:00am service at Holy Trinity Church, Bromley Common. Following the service, the Act of Remembrance will take place at the War Memorial at 11am
Chelsfield
St Martin of Tours, Church Road, Chelsfield, Orpington BR6 7SN
Councillor Angela Page will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the 10:45am service at St Martin of Tours, Chelsfield.
Chislehurst
St. Nicholas Church, Manor Park Road, Chislehurst BR7 5PE
Councillor Mike Jack, Councillor Alison Stammers and Councillor Mark Smith will represent the borough, read a lesson, and lay a wreath at the 9:30am service at St. Nicholas Church, Chislehurst.
Beckenham Town and Copers Cope
Beckenham War Memorial, Rectory Road/Croydon Road, Beckenham BR3 1BN
Councillor Michael Tickner will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the 10:50am service at Beckenham War Memorial. Chloe Jane-Ross will represent the Copers Cope Residents’ Association and lay a wreath later in the service.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace War Memorial, Westow Street SE19 3AF
Councillor Ryan Thomson and Councillor Ruth McGregor will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the 10:45am service at the Crystal Palace War Memorial.
Darwin
St Mary’s Church, High Street, Downe, Bromley, BR6 7US and St Peter and St Paul, Church Approach, Cudham, TN14 7QF
Councillor Jonathan Andrews will represent the borough, read a lesson and lay a wreath at the 9:30am service at St Mary’s Church, Downe. Followed by the service at St Peter and St Paul at 10:50am where Councillor Jonathan Andrews will read a second lesson and lay a wreath.
Farnborough and Crofton
St. Giles the Abbot, Church Road, Farnborough Village BR6 7DB
Councillor Christopher Marlow and Councillor Robert Evans will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the 10:45am service at the War Memorial in the Churchyard, followed by a service at 11:15am at St Giles the Abbot, Farnborough, where councillors will read a lesson.
St. Paul’s Church, Crofton Road BR6 8JE
Councillor Charles Joel will represent the borough, read a lesson, and lay a wreath at the 10:15am service at St Paul’s Church, Crofton.
Hayes and Coney Hall
St. Mary the Virgin, Hayes Street, Hayes BR2 7LH
Councillor Thomas Turrell will represent the borough, read a lesson and lay a wreath at the 10:30am service at St Mary the Virgin, Hayes.
Keston Parish Church, Church Road, Keston BR2 6HT
Councillor Alexa Michael will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the 10am service at Keston Parish Church. Followed by a service at the War Memorial with a two-minute silence.
Mottingham and Chislehurst North
St Andrew’s Church, 223 Court Road, Mottingham, London SE9 4TQ
Councillor Will Rowlands will represent the borough at a service which will begin at 9:45am. This will be followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying at the Mottingham War Memorial at 10:50am.
St. Edward the Confessor, 35 Keverne Road, Mottingham, London SE9 4AQ
Councillor David Cartwright will represent the borough and lay a wreath and read a lesson at a Remembrance service at 10am.
Orpington
All Saints Parish Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington BR6 0QD
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Christine Harris and the Consort to the Deputy Mayor, Mr Stephen Wells, Deputy Lieutenant Mr Geoffrey Thompson, and Mr Gareth Bacon MP will attend this service. There will be a wreath laying ceremony and a reading at Orpington War Memorial at 10:50am, followed by a service at All Saints Parish Church at 11:45am. Afterwards there will be a further service and wreath laying ceremony at Canadian Corner.
Penge and Cator
St John’s Church, Penge SE20 7EQ
Councillor Kathy Bance MBE, Councillor Simon Jeal and Councillor Kevin Kennedy – Brooks will represent the borough, read a lesson and lay a wreath at the 10am service at St John’s Church, Penge
TS Sikh Memorial, Beckenham and Penge Sea Cadets, 290 Kent House Road BR3 1JG
Councillor Kathy Bance MBE, Councillor Simon Jeal and Councillor Kevin Kennedy-Brooks will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the 12 noon service, following the service at St John’s Church.
Holy Trinity Church, 66 Lennard Road, London SE20 7LX
Councillor Kathy Bance MBE, Councillor Simon Jeal and Councillor Kevin Kennedy – Brooks will represent the borough and lay a wreath at the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, Holy Trinity Church, at 3pm.
Petts Wood & Knoll
Christ Church URC, Tudor Way, Petts Wood, Orpington BR5 1LH
Councillor Tony Owen will represent the borough and read a lesson at the 10:00am service at Christ Church URC, followed by a wreath laying service at the Garden of Remembrance and silence at 11am.
Plaistow
St. Andrew’s Church, 136 Burnt Ash Lane BR1 5AF
Councillor Tony McPartlan will represent the borough at the 10am service, followed by the two minute silence, the reading of the names and the laying of the wreaths at 11am at St Andrew’s Church, Plaistow.
St Mary's Church College Road BR1 3QG
Councillor Alisa Igoe will represent the borough, lay a wreath and read a lesson at the 10am service at St. Mary’s Church, Bromley.
Shortlands and Park Langley
St. Mary’s Church, 39 Kingswood Road BR2 0HG
Councillor Felicity Bainbridge, Councillor Aisha Cuthbert and Councillor Adam Grant will represent the borough, lay a wreath and read a lesson at the 10am service at St. Mary’s Church, Shortlands.
St Mary Cray
St Mary’s Church, High Street, St Mary Cray, BR5 3NL
Councillor Shaun Slator will represent the borough, read a lesson, and lay a wreath at the 10am service at St Mary’s Church, St Mary Cray.
St Paul’s Cray
St. Barnabas Church, Rushet Road, St. Paul’s Cray BR5 2PU
Councillor Chris Price will represent the borough, read the Kohima Epitaph and lay a wreath at the 10:30am service at St Barnabas Church, St Paul’s Cray.
West Wickham
West Wickham War Memorial, Corkscrew Hill BR4 9QT
Councillor Mark Brock will represent the borough, lay a wreath and read a lesson at the 10:45am service with a two-minute silence at 11am at West Wickham War Memorial. The parade will commence at 10:35am from Croft Avenue, West Wickham to the Memorial.
Ends
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