The Memorial Gates Committee held the third annual wreath laying ceremony on 11 November 2005 at the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill. The ceremony was attended by over 200 people and paid special tribute to the five million men and women from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa and the Caribbean who volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces of Britain during the First and Second World Wars.

The Prince of Wales sent a magnificent wreath, which was laid by Field Marshal Sir John Chapple GCB CBE DL. Rt Hon. Adam Ingram MP, Minister of Services for Armed Forces, also laid a wreath on behalf of the Government, as well as Rt. Hon Don McKinnon, The Commonwealth Secretariat and Sir Ian Blair, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

The Bishop of London delivered a powerful speech about remembering all those who served over the last century. He urged guests to remember their stories and honour their memory.

Baroness Flather JP DL, Patron of the Memorial Gates Committee said: "We started on this Memorial in 1997 and didn't know whether we'd be able to succeed. We didn't know whether it would have a meaning, but now we can all recognise that is has a very powerful significance for people from the Subcontinent, from Africa and from the Caribbean and today for all of you here.

I have to say that I feel very full in my heart and I thank you all for coming and honouring the people who you are connected with. All of you are connected with those people. It's the people we're honouring and not the war."

Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL, Founder and Chief Executive of Cobra Beer and Chairman of the Memorial Gates Committee also said a few words: "In the name of freedom - in the name of our freedom - they made the ultimate and most selfless sacrifice. For that we join today in remembrance and gratitude. The contribution of each and every one of these individuals is priceless, precious and beyond measure.

These men and women gave their today for our tomorrow - for our freedom and for our security. In a world today that is tragically fraught with conflict and once-unimaginable dangers, we must never lose sight of their example: of their courage, their nobility, their imperishable virtue."

Also present were the India High Commissioner, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma; Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Kshenuka Senewirantne; the Royal Nepalese Ambassador, His Excellency Prabal SJP Rana accompanied by Defence Attaché - Colonel Himalaya Thapa; Jamaican High Commissioner Her Excellency, Gail Mathurin; the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner, Abdul Basit accompanied by commodore Khan, Defence and Naval Attaché; and Defence Advisor of Kenya, Colonel Bukhala.

Representation from the Services - Rear Admiral Chris Parry CBE, representing the Army; Major General G. R. Coward OBE, Commander Joint Helicopter Command representing the Navy and Air Vice Marshal Christopher Moran OBE MVO representing the Royal Navy.

The Memorial Gates were officially inaugurated by HM The Queen in November 2002 and erected to serve as a lasting symbol of gratitude to all those who volunteered, as well as a remembrance of their bravery and dedication. It also commemorates the heritage of their descendants, who now form an integral part of modern British society.

Each of the four stone columns of The Gates is carved with the names of the countries that participated in the First and Second World Wars, and the dome of the Pavilion is adorned with the names of those who were awarded the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. Two stone benches on either side of this Pavilion have the names of the campaigns in which the volunteers participated. There is also an important message on the Memorial taken from a poem written by Ben Okri especially for the opening ceremony, reminding us that our future is greater than our past.

ABOUT THE MEMORIAL GATES COMMITTEE

Established in 1998, the Trust is responsible for erecting the Gates and is dedicated to raising community awareness about them and what they represent. The Trust also encourages members from every ethnic group to join together to recognise and revere the bravery and sacrifice of the five million volunteers who played a key role in shaping modern Britain and the world.

The Memorial Gates Committee members are: Chairman - Karan F. Bilimoria CBE, DL, Patrons - Baroness Shreela Flather JP DL; Field Marshal Sir John Chapple GCB, CBE, DL; and Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter KCVO

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