Silent tribute, in Upper Street, to the victims of war

Published: 12th November, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

TRAFFIC was halted in Upper Street yesterday (Thursday) as a two-minute silence was observed in honour of those who died in both world wars and later conflicts.

Young and old gathered outside Islington town hall at 11am to stand side-by-side with war veterans in a tribute led by the Rev Michael Learmouth, Dean of Islington. 

Following the two-minute silence, veteran Bill Millet presented a poppy wreath to Islington’s Mayor Councillor Mouna Hamitouche. 

Mr Millet, 92, said the event was “very emotional”. 

Retired serviceman Ron Ranger, 67, secretary of Islington Veterans’ Association, added: “Anybody who has lost friends in this way remembers them anyway. We don’t need to be told. But it means a lot to see the public supporting it in a show of community spirit.”

Peter McCafferty, who will lead a remembrance parade on Sunday, said of yesterday’s two-minute silence: “Although it is the shortest of the remembrance events, it is the most pertinent one as it’s the day when the whole world will have come to a stop. 

“Remembrance events mean as much now as ever because we have never had any time of peace. It is also important to honour those still fighting and dying today.”  

Sunday’s remembrance parade will leave Highbury Fields at 10am for a service at Islington Green at 10.40am. 

The parade will be headed by Holloway Adventurers and Pathfinders Drum Corps, members of Islington Veterans’ Association, standard bearers, members of the Honourable Artillery Company,  Sea Cadets, 23 Cadet Squadron RE, The Rifles, 9F Squadron ATC and 329 Squadron ATC.

Remembrance Sunday events will also take place at the War Memorial at Spa Green, Finsbury, at 11.40am and at the World War I Memorial Arch at Manor Gardens, Holloway – the site of the former Royal Northern Hospital – at 2pm.

On Saturday, Islington’s war veterans are invited for a drink at The Barnsbury, in Liverpool Road, Barnsbury.