The majestic Baggage Hall of the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury provided a unique setting for the annual Service of Remembrance on Monday evening organised by the Port of Tilbury in conjunction with the Port of London Authority and Mission for Seafarers.
PLA and Port of Tilbury’s senior management and employees gathered in the passenger lounge for an informal reception prior to the service, where they had the opportunity of chatting to PLA pensioners, maritime war veterans and members of the Tilbury Community. The clergy and standard bearers then paraded into the Baggage Hall where the formal service of remembrance was held against a backdrop of the illuminated stainless glass window designed by Christopher Webb in the early 1950’s and dedicated to members of the PLA who lost their lives during the Second World War. Poppy wreaths were laid before the restored marble Memorial Tablets commemorating those who died in the Great War, as well as the Book of Remembrance.
Port of Tilbury’s Managing Director, Perry Glading and PLA’s Chief Executive, Richard Everett, read the lessons and Rev Ray Trudgett, Mission for Seafarers, who has conducted the service at the Terminal for many years, gave his final address as he will be retiring early next year.
Perry Glading said: “The marine setting demonstrated the importance of this time of the year for remembrance and the cross section of the community that attended reflected the current times we live in, as well as the past”.
