The Tower Remembers
As part of the VE Day 80 celebrations the Tower of London held an event to honour and recognise veterans of World War II and reflect on the impact of the war and the joy and relief of VE Day for Londoners.
Cadets representing the three branches of the Armed Forces, the Police and the Fire Brigade formed a significant part of the proceedings, ushering VIP guests, marching on with the veterans and accompanying them when they were presented to the audience. They were also present for the lighting up ceremony which saw the new instillation of ceramic poppies illuminated for the first time, as an act of remembrance and to commemorate VE Day when the lights went on again in London and around the country.
Wilson’s School CCF was asked to provide the Army element of the cadet presence, with ten senior cadets representing both schools in the partnership in attendance.
On arrival the cadets were rehearsed by a Yeoman Warder with some selected for specific duties.
In the shadow of the White Tower the cadets marched behind the Band of The Royal Marines and a Guard of Honour from The Royal Gurka Rifles and alongside the veterans who were assisted by Officer Cadets from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. There followed a series of moving speeches with relatives of those who’d served in World War 2 reading accounts of their service and experiences and musical interludes from The Royal Marines Band and a youth choir, before the veterans were presented to the audience with CSM Romanov and Cdt Ragupathi presenting them with a bouquet of flowers along with cadets from the other cadet forces.
While the VIPs and veterans retired to a reception the cadets warmed up and helped themselves to light refreshments. While this was happening Cpl Lamptey and a Police Cadet met The Secretary of State for Defence, Rt. Hon. John Healey MP, at the Middle Drawbridge Entrance and escorted him to The Royal Armoury to join the reception, apparently inviting to visit the CCF at Wilson’s! She returned to her peers clutching a Ministry of Defence coin presented to her by the Secretary of State.
The evening culminated with the impressive lighting up ceremony with the White Tower and the poppy installation being illuminated while the band played popular tunes from the 1940s. With the top of the Shard lit up with a Union Flag in the background and The Yeoman Warders in attendance lining the ramparts it was a fitting end to a moving event.
It was a privilege to have been a part of this event and the import of the occasion was not lost on the cadets, who stepped up showing resilience in the cold weather and adapting to the rapidly changing plans and performing outstandingly in the drill aspects of the event. They can be proud of how they represented the CCF, their respective schools, the Army’s Cadet Forces and themselves.