‘You are remembered and we are grateful’ – London Ambulance Service honours armed forces at Remembrance Day service

London Ambulance Service (LAS) staff members gathered on Monday 11 November to mark Remembrance Day and commemorate those who gave their lives in war.

The LAS Armed Forces network led the service of remembrance and wreath-laying with assembled staff in the memorial garden outside their Waterloo Road headquarters.

Just before 11am, the bugle call ‘The Last Post’ was played out by a member of the Trust’s Ceremonial Unit before the two minute silence began. This was followed by lowering and raising a standard and laying of the poppy wreath.

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said:

“Armistice Day is an opportunity for all of us at London Ambulance Service to not only remember and pay respects to all who gave their lives and contributed during the war – British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women –but it is also a moment for us to remember our late London Ambulance Service colleagues. A moment to pay tribute to all they have contributed to the London Ambulance Service, for their dedication and commitment to the people of London.”

Speaking of the personal significance of Remembrance Day, Mark Purcell, LAS Armed Forces Vice-Network chair, said:

“Armistice Day is a chance to take stock for a couple of minutes and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in war for the freedoms we often take for granted. It is also a chance for me to think about those people who have come back and who are still fighting. They’ve come back with injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other challenges which cause them strife day in and day out. Today is a chance to say thank you to them.”

In a message to anyone who is struggling after serving their country he said:

“You are remembered and we are all grateful for what you have done for us. Please reach out if you are struggling and do not suffer in silence alone.

”LAS has close ties to the military and many colleagues are veterans because of the transferrable skills, teamwork and sense of camaraderie.”

Mark, who is also a volunteer Cadet Forces instructor for 18 years who looks Sea Cadet units across west London, added:

“Ultimately, I think it’s that family and sense of belonging to an organisational identity is important, and working for the ambulance service is a chance to give something back to your community. It’s a chance to be at the heart of the community that you live and work with.”

Today’s commemoration comes days after the London Poppy Day event on 31 October which was attended by members of staff and actor Ross Kemp. Across the capital, the event raised more than £1,285,000 to support veterans and their families.

For background:

The London Ambulance Service Armed Forces Network is open to any member of the team who has a link to the armed services – not only for those who have served, but those in or with history of the cadet forces, family and friends of service people.

Two years ago, LAS was named as a Veteran Aware Trust in recognition of its commitment to improving NHS care for veterans, reservists, members of the armed forces and their families.

The accreditation of ‘Veteran Aware’ status makes the Trust an exemplar of the best care for veterans and recognises the progress made to ensure that members of the armed forces community do not face disadvantage when accessing NHS services.