HAMPSTEAD Cemetery fell silent as veterans, families and schoolchildren paid tribute to the fallen on Armistice Day. 

Dozens of youngsters from St Mary’s primary school in Kilburn, and Emmanuel primary in West Hampstead, joined in with prayers before pupils from St Luke’s in Hampstead laid their homemade poppies on the war memorial, off Fortune Green Road.

Deputy mayor Larraine Revah and singer Sukey Parnell, with youngsters from St Luke’s and local dignitaries at Hampstead Cemetery 

The service on Tuesday, led by Reverends Alistair Tresidder and James Taylor, of St Luke’s, also featured Sukey Parnell singing For the Fallen and UCS student Matthew Nagy, 13, who played the Last Post on his trumpet.

Royal Navy veteran Savas Hariades, 88, told the New Journal how he served in the Middle East during the Second World War after being conscripted aged 18. He moved from Cyprus to Fortune Green as a young boy.

“The ceremony is important,” said the grandfather of four who worked as a chemical engineer after the war. “I have not been wearing my medals [for service] at all because my wife said it was ostentatious, but not today, it feels okay. It is good to remember.”

Savas Hariades

Missing from the crowd this year was former Royal Fusiliers veteran Lionel Haig, who died, aged 89, in February. Pam McInally, who cared for him at her home in Sumatra Road, West Hampstead, for 30 years, attended in his place, wearing his medals at Mr Haig’s request. The former Acland Burghley student, who also sold poppies for the Royal British Legion for 45 years, served in the 8th Army on D-Day.

Mrs McInally, whose mother had been a friend of Mr Haig’s, said: “He was the kindest man, he would give you his last penny. He signed up for the army at 14 years old – lied about his age. He served in France and Germany, he even pulled shrapnel out of his leg by himself, once. He never really got over leaving the army. It was very important to him.”

Pam McInally with a picture of Lionel Haig

A second service was held later, with flowers laid, at the civil memorial to the Hampstead residents who lost their lives during the 1939-1945 conflict. 

Ceremonies were also held at St Pancras cemetery war memorial on Thursday, as well as at St Pancras Church on Remembrance Sunday which was attended by mayor Lazzaro Pietragnoli.

The mayor laid wreaths at the Far East prisoner of war memorial, in Mornington Crescent (see left), as well as at the London and North Western Railway Company war memorial next to Euston Station.

On Tuesday, wreaths were also laid at St Michael’s church in Camden Town, St Mary’s Church in Somers Town, All Hallows Church, in Hampstead, St Mary Magdalene in Regent’s Park, and Chenies Street war memorial in Bloomsbury. 

A multi-faith service also took place at the Whitestone Pond war memorial on Hampstead Heath.