Remembrance: a time for the nation to honour the lives that have been lost and remember the contribution of those British and Commonwealth Servicemen and Women, paying tribute for their service, bravery and sacrifice.
In support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment ‘Street Brass’ had the privilege of attending Marylebone Station to debut with a performance for the RBL London Poppy Day.
"Despite people rushing past us to work, the public filmed us, took selfies and some couldn't help but dance along. We even made it into Vernon Kay's Instagram story! It really was uplifting to spread joy to families visiting London on half-term break, interact with the public, and bring smiles to the faces of commuters, before the more sombre commemorations of Armistice in November."
Corporal Bolton
Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment
This year's Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance marked the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. In attendance were His Majesty King Charles III, Princess Anne, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer and Chief of the Air Staff Sir Rich Knighton. Hosted by Adrian Lester CBE, in the stunning surrounds of the Royal Albert Hall, performances from Sir Tom Jones, Alexandra Burke, Samantha Barks, Jack Savoretti, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Jake Issac, and the Service Children’s Choir were among tributes supporting the Armed Forces community.
Remembering D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra, supported by the Orchestra of the Household Division, performed Valour. The display began with the band forming the figure 80, signifying the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. As the music began, the Band slow-marched into the shape of three rotating propellors before taking the final position by creating a pair of wings across the stage to welcome Sir Tom Jones with his performance of I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall. It was an honour to accompany this very moving piece of music and share the stage with such an iconic legend of the music industry.
A tri-Service Band, including members of the Central Band of the RAF, performed Our Heroes for the Salute to the Veterans of 1944 which saw several of the featured veterans of the evening, brought on stage to rapturous applause and a standing ovation.
As the evening drew to a close, the beautiful vocals of Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha filled the Royal Albert Hall with a performance of Pie Jesu by Gabriel Faure from Requiem (1948) Op.48 in tribute to the tenth anniversary of the end of British combat operations in Afghanistan. 457 single roses were placed one by one on the stage by Service personnel, representing those who lost their lives during these operations.
The National Act of Remembrance, held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, London, commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts. The Band of the RAF Regiment was proud to support, with His Majesty King Charles III and Princess of Wales in attendance.
Led by Warrant Officer Martin, RAF Trumpeters sounded the Reveille (Rouse). This call signals the conclusion of the wreath laying before thousands of veterans march past the Cenotaph, accompanied by music from all three Services; The Band of the RAF Regiment, The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth and the Massed Bands of the Household Division.
To mark the beginning of a two-minute silence to remember of those whose lives have been lost, the Last Post is sounded. Throughout the Remembrance period, RAF Trumpeters sound this call at a wide range of ceremonies, including The House of Commons on Armistice Day and at several Football stadiums, often broadcast on live TV and radio prior to games.
"When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today."
John Maxwell Evans (1875-1958)
The Kohima Epitaph
