Lloyd’s paid its respects to those who have given their lives in conflicts throughout history at the market’s annual remembrance ceremony today.
The service was attended by representatives from the armed forces both past and present at a particularly poignant time for those with comrades still fighting abroad.
Lloyd’s Chairman Lord Levene and the Lord Mayor of London laid wreaths together before the book of Remembrance followed by Mark Drummond Brady from the Lloyd’s branch of the Royal British Legion, Alderman for the Ward of Lime Street, Sir John Stuttard, Rear Admiral Jeremy de Halpert and Major Adam Norris.
The Guard of honour was formed by members of HMS President and the 7th Battalion, The Rifles.
The Lutine Bell was rung to mark two minutes silence.
Lord Levene said:
“Today’s ceremony is not simply an act of remembrance for the fallen of two world wars, it is an expression of respect and of gratitude to the men and women on active duty for our protection and safety.
“Their courage provides our market, in the heart of one of the world’s great financial centres, with the security we need to go about our daily business. I know that we all keenly feel this debt. For this reason, our annual Christmas Appeal will support former servicemen and women.”
Lloyd’s has a long history of supporting servicemen and Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund is the UK’s oldest military charity.
The Patriotic Fund was originally established in 1803 in the Lloyd’s Coffee House to raise a fund for the benefit of sailors, soldiers and families who were suffering during the long war between Britain and France.
Since that time the fund has provided a range of support for the serving and ex-service community including special grants for cases of real need, in particular for those who have chronic ailments or who are living in poverty.
This year, Lloyd’s Christmas Gift Appeal will be collecting gifts for ex-servicemen in conjunction with Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund. The gifts will be distributed at a Veterans Aid hostel which cares for homeless ex-servicemen, based only a few miles away from the Lloyd’s building. 