Centenary of Armistice Day – 11th November 2018

Knitted Poppies display at west door of Pinner Parish Church.

The Centenary of Armistice Day on which World War I ended fell on Remembrance Sunday on 11th November 2018.   The parishioners of the Parish Church of St John the Baptist had already decorated that ancient building with thousands of knitted poppies to commemorate all those from Pinner, and more widely, who fell during WWI.

Knitted poppies around the lych gate of Pinner Parish Church, itself a War Memorial of “The Great War” (WWI).

The sun shone brightly on a huge crowd of Pinner residents and others who had assembled at the Pinner War Memorial at the top of Pinner High Street for the traditional Remembrance Sunday Service, which is organised by the United Services Club, assisted by The Pinner Association.  The two minute’s silence was observed during which the distance sound of maroons echoed the falling silent of the guns on the fronts of WWI exactly 100 years previously.

Clergy from local churches and synagogue participated in the Remembrance Service at which the youth of Pinner were represented by the Guard of Honor from the Sea Cadets, the bugler from Nower Hill School, and the representatives of local Scouts, Guides and schools who laid wreaths.  Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the armed services, and many national and local organisations.

Caroline Enniss at the War Memorial bearing the wreaths that were laid in memory of all who lost their lives in both World Wars and in subsequent contests.

The Pinner Association wish to thank Geoffrey Wheal and Caroline Ennis who undertook much of the administration of the Remembrance Sunday Service on our behalf.   An event which an estimated number of 1,000 people attended takes a great deal of organising and liaison with the local authority, local police and fire service, and St John’s Ambulance, all of whom the Pinner Association thank for their contribution.