Remembrance Day Lunch at Guildhall
12th November 2023Guildhall
After the wreaths were laid at the London Troops' War Memorial in front of the Royal Exchange, the Lord and Lady Mayoress, Veterans and Masters reverently made their way through the Square Mile as the bands played. Many Livery Masters arrived at Guildhall. In fact it took three separate areas to meet the demand. Master Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers, Master Broderer, Master and Consort Distiller, Master Clock Maker and Prime Warden Basket Maker to name a few. After Grace, lunch was served. However there was a poignant pause before dessert as Mark Grove joined us and read
In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
We were then served pudding out of metal dishes, just as the soldiers we came to honour would have used. A poignant ending to an emotional day.