Abbey marks Remembrance Sunday

The service was attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Steve Summers, and Councillors of the City of Westminster as well as Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE, Second Sea Lord, representing the Royal Navy; Lieutenant General Nicholas Pope CBE, Deputy Chief of General Staff, representing the Army; Air Marshal Sean Reynolds, Air Member of Personnel, representing the Royal Air Force; the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe; Captain Jim Conybeare representing the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet; and Captain Chris Spurrier representing the Merchant Air Service.

The large congregation included Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, officers and ratings of the Royal Navy, officers and other ranks of the British Army and the Royal Air Force, members of uniformed and many other organisations, and members of the public.

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall who said in his Bidding:

We have come to remember before God those who have died for their country in the two world wars and the many conflicts of the years that have followed. Some we knew and loved: we treasure their memory still. Others are unknown to us: to their remembrance too, we give our time this morning. With thanksgiving we recall service offered and sacrifices made. We come with proper penitence for the destruction that war brings to individuals, families, and nations. We pray for all those, both civilian and military, who have died or continue to suffer the effects of combat. We thank God for the hard-won freedom from strife that we enjoy in this land. We pray God for a time when such sacrifice may never again be required. But we humbly ask that men and women might always be found who count their lives worthy above all because they serve the greater cause of justice and concord. Trusting in God's grace, we dedicate ourselves anew this day to creating a world in which healing, peace, and virtue flourish.

The Lord Mayor of Westminster read Isaiah 65: 17, 19-22, 24-25, and the Reverend David Stanton, Canon in Residence, read Romans 8: 31-35, 37-end.

Two minutes' silence was held after a procession to the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Last Post and Reveille were sounded by a trumpeter of the Grenadier Guards.

Intercessions were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Chaplain.

The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Daniel Cook, Sub-Organist and before the service by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.

The National Anthem was sung after the Dean had pronounced the Blessing.