Dozens of people gathered for a wreath-laying ceremony at Enfield War Memorial this morning

Enfield has marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a well-attended ceremonial wreath-laying event.

The event at Enfield War Memorial in Chase Green was attended by local dignitaries and members of the armed forces with dozens taking part in a minute’s silence as Last Post was played and a prayer was read, before several wreaths were laid.

Among those laying wreaths were Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam, Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London Ann Cable and two local MPs, Feryal Clark and Bambos Charalambos.

Although no local veterans from the war itself were able to attend, with so few survivors still around and most now aged in their late 90s or early 100s, Enfield resident Lawrence Taylor laid a wreath on behalf of his father Henry Taylor, who served from 1941 to 1945 and died in 2011.

Lawrence told the Dispatch: “My dad was 18 when he went into the army as a conscript; he fought in the Second Battle of El Alamein [in Egypt in 1942], in Tunis in 1942/43, he was in the Italian campaign, and in Austria in 1945. Henry was born in Enfield in Southbury Road.

“But the real heroes were the men who never came back, as my father would say […] we must never forget them.”

Ann Cable MBE, the representative deputy lieutenant for Enfield, explained why continuing to remember the war was still so important.

“It is vitally important that we remember the sacrifice that happened 80 years ago,” she said. “VE Day is not just a date, it is about people who gave their lives for us to live in peace and freedom.

“The turnout today was excellent, the support of the community in Enfield is really good. Local people always come out to show their support.”

A further ceremonial event for VE Day is planned this evening (Thursday 8th) with a ‘beacon of light’ service at Enfield Civic Centre from 8.45pm. Other celebratory events are also planned across the borough.

Council leader Ergin Erbil lays a wreath

“The legion of the living salutes the legion of the dead”

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