I would like to start by wishing everyone a very happy Diwali.
This isn’t just an important event for our Hindu community, but is celebrated all over Harrow and the wider area. Our Mayor, Councillor Ajay Maru, visited Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford on Sunday as part of the Diwali celebrations across the North West London area.
In addition to the many ceremonies held to mark Diwali, we have also been building up to the start of a four year commemoration to mark the First World War.
The War saw millions of volunteers from around the world give their contribution to the war effort, including around one and a half million volunteers from India, as well as thousands from the West Indies and Africa.
100 years on from the end of the First World War we are still in debt to those brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect their families, and keep future generations safe. All over Harrow war memorials honour their service and bravery; it is only fitting that as a Council we mark this centenary by ensuring that all our war memorials are fully restored and cleaned.
Of the nearly 2900 Harrovians who fought in World War One 644 were killed – their memories live on in the commemorations and tributes we pay to them on Armistice Day. We have spent £80,000 on specialist cleaning work for memorials in the Borough, including those like St John’s Church where we have supported the Church to keep their memorial in pristine condition.
I have taken a look for myself at the work being done to restore these memorials in visits to the Pinner War Memorial and the grave of William Leefe-Robinson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his astonishing bravery as a pilot in the Home Defence Squadron. It is always a humbling experience to remember the lengths to which our war heroes went to protect our country.
I hope all residents in Harrow will join me on remembrance Sunday in marking our deepest respects for our fallen soldiers, and those soldiers from other nations who fought with us during many different conflicts.
