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Lloyd's Remembrance Day ceremony

Lloyd’s today observed a two-minute silence as 5,000 poppy petals fell onto the underwriting floor to mark the anniversary of the World War One armistice.

Tue 11 Nov 2014

As part of its annual Remembrance Day ceremony, an underwriting room full of ex-servicemen, brokers, underwriters and Lloyd’s staff fell silent as the Lutine Bell was struck at 11am.

Members of F Company from 7 Rifles infantry regiment entered the Room bearing their regimental standard. Their uniformed delegation formed one side of a guard of honour, with Royal Naval Reserves from HMS President on the other.

The 7 Rifles regiment has a long standing connection with Lloyd’s. The regiment is the descendant of the Lloyd’s Platoon London Rifles that many Lloyd’s men joined in 1914-18.

Lloyd’s Chairman John Nelson led the wreath laying ceremony alongside The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alan Yarrow. They were followed by Mark Drummond Brady, the Chairman of the Lloyd’s Branch of the Royal British Legion, Alderman Charles Bowman of the Lime Street Ward, Major Laurie Gomes of F Company, 7 Rifles regiment and Captain Ian McNaught, Deputy Master of Trinity House.

Also in attendance were representatives of Chelsea Pensioners; War Widows Association and Frimley Park Military Hospital. The City of London Army Cadet Force was present to provide assistance to guests.

The Lloyd’s Choir opened the ceremony with the "Ode of Remembrance”, set to music specially composed by choir member Ian Brentnall, who works for Lloyd’s broker, United Insurance Brokers. Taken from the poem For the Fallen, written by Robert Laurence Binyon in 1914, the Ode forms a central part of Remembrance services held across Britain every year.

Lloyd's Remembrance Book

Underwriter John Hamblin has written a book about the Lloyd’s men who did not return from the First World War.

Like every organisation in Britain, Lloyd’s was deeply affected by World War One. The market’s strong connections with the Territorial Army led to hundreds of underwriters, brokers, members and staff being mobilised within weeks of war being declared on 4 August 1914.

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