It was a pleasure and honour to be invited to a surprise party at Lambeth Town Hall in honour of Allan Wilmot, a World War 2 veteran who served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Allan was in fine form and announced his firm intention to make it to 100 (currently he’s 93). As Allan likes to point out, he was part of the Windrush generation who came before the Windrush, arriving at Southampton on a ship called the Almanzora in December 1947.
The event was hosted by the Mayor of Lambeth who made the presentation:
The Mayors of Croydon, Westminster and Bromley (and one other, whose borough I didn’t catch!) were also present as was Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood. I can’t remember the last time I was in a room with five mayors – yes I can, never!
Also present was another WW2 veteran, Neil Flanagan. Neil was the man who foolishly gave me his i-pad and asked me if I wouldn’t mind filming while he took the salute at the 2017 Remembrance Day event in Windrush Square. I’d never used an i-pad before and have been worried ever since that I messed up. He reassured me that the pictures had turned out really well – phew! Commenting at the time of that event, Neil said “The Remembrance Day service on Windrush Square is an example of how we are gradually bringing realisation that West Indians were here serving their country, and still do … but it’s taking a long term to have our voices heard. I am proud and honoured that the memorial is there but I am sad that it has taken such a long time and that we have had to fight, step-by-step, for the recognition.” These sentiments were echoed by several speakers at Allan’s event.
Neil is shown in the picture while Allan cuts his special cake.
You can’t help but feel honoured and humbled at being in the presence of such distinguished veterans.