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Service of Remembrance held at The Ally war memorial
08/11/2024
Former employees, the Royal British Legion, veterans’ charities and children from Hanwell Fields attended
The first Service of Remembrance for Armistice took place this morning at the former Alcan site on the Southam Road in Banbury – which is now home to Amazon.
Former Alcan employees, The Royal British Legion, veterans’ charities and children from Hanwell Fields Community School gathered at the war memorial, which commemorates those employees from the former Northern Aluminium, later Alcan Aluminium works, who gave their lives during the second World War.
At that time much of the country’s aircraft industry metal was supplied by the Southam Road works, which was affectionately known as The Ally.
At today’s service prayers were said and, as a lone piper played a lament, former Alcan employee, Deputy Mayor and President of the Banbury Royal British Legion Cllr Kieron Mallon led the wreath laying on behalf of Banbury. This was followed by veterans’ organisations, former Alcan workers, Amazon, and the school children.
Then bugles sounded the Last Post, Standards were lowered and two minutes silence was observed.
Following the event Amazon hosted a reception with food and warm drinks in their canteen.
Councillor Mallon was formerly with the Irish Guards and is now the Banbury Royal British Legion President. He said: “Without The Ally our planes would not have been built, the battle of Britain lost, and with it so would have Western Democracy.
“When I was employed by British Alcan we would gather to honour and in some cases in those days even to remember workers who went away, never to return.
“This garden is an oasis amongst the noise of the main road. When the site was sold former MP Tony Baldry, myself and a small group sought to keep the war memorial and garden when thieves stole the original gates and vandalised the site. Amazon have done us proud the way they maintain it and make it available to the Royal British Legion.”
Chris Smithson, formerly with the Royal Signals, and now Royal British Legion Chairman said: “We have been collecting for the Poppy Appeal non-stop for weeks now and are still asking for donations as we look towards the main Remembrance Sunday Parade, followed by the Armistice Service on Monday in People’s Park at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month.
“Today has kicked off a whole weekend of remembrance and reflection in and around Banbury that we can all be proud of.
“The school children were great, they marched down from the school with the teachers, stood in silence and laid their own tribute. Part of the Royal British Legion is to keep the flame for future generations, this service today embodied that commitment”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam