It was indeed an honour to lay a wreath on behalf of The National Caribbean Monument Charity (TNCMC) at the commemoration ceremony on COMMONWEALTH DAY at MEMORIAL GATES, CONSTITUTION HILL, London.

The ceremony was well attended with many high ranking personnel, both military and civilian, and very good representations from commonwealth countries.

The ceremony began with a welcome from Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chairman of the Memorial Gates Council, followed by a speech from Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, and Prayers by The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, The Bishop of London.

The ceremony this year marked 75 years since VJ Day (Victory over Japan) the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, and the contribution made by Commonwealth Forces in the Far East. Brief Background of the Memorial Gates: On the 6th of November 2002 Her Majesty

The Queen officially inaugurated the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill, in London. These gates have been erected as a lasting memorial to honour the five million men and women from the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean who volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars.

They also celebrate the contribution that these men and women and their descendants, members of the Commonwealth family, continuing to make to the rich diversity of British society. It is now full time and a fitting reminder that we must forge ahead with our campaign to erect a permanent monument in the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire in recognition of Caribbean military personnel. Your financial support would be very much appreciated: https://tncmc.org/index.php/donations

Donald Campbell
Chair
TNCMC
07802723222