For over 100 years, Britain has staged a national act of remembrance for those slain whilst fighting for the freedom and traditions which have made Britain the beacon of hope, democracy, and freedom that it is today. Our national story is interwoven with the annual story of remembrance. A rare occasion where the oldest veteran through to the youngest child, come together in a unified and proactive expression of respect, mourning and gratitude.
Across Dagenham and Rainham, we will remember the sacrifice made by those from the local area who died in service of our country. In World War One, the 57 from Rainham who gave their lives in France and Belgium, including fighter ace Second Lieutenant Ralph Luxmore Curtis. During World War Two, the 68 pilots stationed at RAF Hornchurch who were killed in the Battle of Britain. The 147 on the Ford Motor Company Roll of Honour, who went to war and never returned, and the 426 fatal casualties during Blitz bombing across Dagenham.
More recently, we remember those from our area who died in Afghanistan, Warrant Officer Ian Fisher from Elm Park, Rifleman Martin Kinggett and Private Tony Rawson, both from Dagenham.
Without their sacrifices, and that of so many armed forces personnel throughout the generations, we would not have a society in which protest, about strongly held views on so many different issues, could take place. Remembering that is what we all do on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
That’s why doing everything we can to protect the sanctity of remembrance, both in Central London, and around the country is so important.
There are times to protest and there are times to mourn and pay our respects. Acts of Remembrance this weekend should remain just that.
