Prince Harry today opened the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey to honour Britain’s war dead.
The Duke of Sussex attended a ceremony in the churchyard garden, where 60,000 crosses have been laid in tribute to those who died in conflict.
Harry, who was not accompanied his wife Meghan, was greeted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, before a service at St Margaret’s Church.
He was then invited to lay a cross of remembrance, affixed with a poppy, in front of two wooden crosses from the graves of unknown British soldiers, one from each world war. Following the Last Post, and a two-minute silence, Harry toured the garden to greet veterans.
The Field of Remembrance, now in its 90th year, has been organised by the Poppy Factory since 1928, when just two poppy crosses were placed outside the abbey.
This year’s memorial has added significance because it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The opening ceremony marks the start of major commemorations to mark the Armistice centenary.
Tomorrow, Theresa May will visit St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium, to lay a wreath at the graves of John Parr, believed to be the first UK soldier to be killed in 1914, and George Ellison, who was killed 90 minutes before the Armistice came into effect. The Prime Minister will also attend a ceremony at Thiepval memorial, in the Somme area of France, with President Emmanuel Macron.
On Remembrance Sunday, Prince Charles will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on the Queen’s behalf. After the service, 10,000 members of the public, chosen by ballot, will join veterans for the Nation’s Thank You procession.
The Field of Remembrance is open to the public until Sunday, November 18.
Deirdre Mills, chief executive of the Poppy Factory, which employs injured veterans to handmake crosses, wreaths and poppies from its base in Richmond, said: “It is a great honour to have His Royal Highness return to open the Field of Remembrance in its 90th year, just days before the centenary of the end of the First World War. This year feels especially significant to all of us at the Poppy Factory.”
Meanwhile, St Pancras station unveiled its first memorial to fallen First World War soldiers, almost 100 years after the original plan fell through. The four-metre-high enamel panels, fitted to a column on the station’s grand terrace, list the names and occupations of 178 Midland Railway Company workers who died after volunteering to serve. A further 21, who died after an air raid in February 1918, have also been commemorated. Artist Fabian Peake was inspired after reading the Midland Railway Book of Remembrance that was put together after the war.
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He said: “It really brought home that these were ordinary people, just like you and me, doing jobs that we still do today but they went to war and did not return. I hope the piece will show that, 100 years on, we are all still remembering those who fought in the World Wars.”
Plans for a permanent memorial were axed in 1921 due to a lack of money. St Pancras is London’s last major station to get a war memorial.
Many London boroughs are marking the centenary with services at war memorials and town halls.
Haringey council has unveiled a paving stone at Hornsey War Memorial for Major Brett Mackay Cloutman, the final soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War — on November 6, 1918. Born in Muswell Hill in 1887, he enlisted as a rifleman at the outbreak of war, and was credited with single-handedly scuppering German plans to blow up a vital bridge in Pont-sur-Sambre. Major Cloutman died in Highgate in 1971, aged 84.
