I had the honour of being in the audience at this year’s Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Organised by the Royal British Legion, this year the festival commemorated the charity’s 100 years of service to the Armed Forces community.
Also marked were the 30th anniversary of the first Gulf War (of which I’m proud to say that I played a small part), the 10th anniversary of the end of military operations in Iraq and the recent operation to repatriate British civilians from Kabul.
Chelsea Pensioners on parade 
The Queen’s Colour Squadron, RAF & the Central Band of the RAF
We heard from David and Sallie Wright, the parents of Royal Marine James Wright. James died in 2011 when a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at his checkpoint in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. He was 22 years old.
It was this appearance of proud but grieving parents that turned the Festival of Remembrance from military spectacular to a profound expression of love and loss. When the Wrights led other bereaved family members across the floor of the hall, quiet sniffles turned to sobs and veterans with their chests full of medals dabbed at their eyes.
“When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
NB: in order to gain entry into the Albert Hall, everyone had to show proof of a negative test (no older than 48 hours) and of receiving at least two doses of the vaccine.
This West London Life 
It must have been such a wonderful evening of remembrance to experience first hand. Emotional enough when viewed on the tv, but to actually be there must have been so moving.
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It’s an incredible experience and also extremely humbling.
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What a remembrance service. 22 years of age, too young & yet at that tender age he heard duty call & he answered, said what can I do for the good of all?
You looked lovely.
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James Wright was all that a parent could hope for. Such a heart breaking loss for his family.
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What a moving experience this must have been. Afraid I probably would have been in tears the entire time. I have a soft spot for military families and their warriors. You look especially chic in that lovely black dress. Love the poppy red tint to the hall.
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The Festival of Remembrance is the most moving and humbling experience.
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I can imagine that was a very emotionally moving event. May all those who have served and died rest in eternal peace.
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It’s an incredible event and I feel extremely privileged to have the opportunity to attend.
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