Helsinki Remembers
The British Embassy in Helsinki and the Anglican Chaplaincy of St Nicholas in Finland held the annual Remembrance Service.
Sgt Russell RAF lays a wreath on behalf of HM Armed Forces.
At 11am on 11 November, the British Embassy in Helsinki and the Anglican Chaplaincy of St Nicholas in Finland remembered those from Britain, the Commonwealth and Allies who died during conflict at the annual Remembrance Service at St Henry’s Church in Helsinki. Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Sarah Price gave the address, noting 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, which ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
The congregation was made up of veterans, members of the British and Commonwealth community in Finland, members of the diplomatic corps, dignitaries from the Finnish Defence Forces, and staff members of the British Embassy and their families.
The exhortation was given by Sergeant Linda Russell RAF of the Defence Section of the British Embassy. A trumpeter from the Finnish Defence Forces sounded the Last Post.
Following a dignified 2 minutes’ silence, wreaths to The Fallen were laid by Her Majesty’s Ambassador, by the Ambassadors of Ireland and Canada, by Sgt Russell on behalf of HM Armed Forces, and on behalf of veterans by Mr Tony Falzon, a former serviceman and long serving member of the British Embassy staff.
Reveille was sounded. The Kohima Epitaph was read by Maddy Wells, a Grade 7 pupil at the International School of Helsinki. The Choir of the International School, under the direction of Mr Kendall Allen, performed a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace”.
A Poppy Collection was taken and the service was followed by a light lunch hosted jointly by Her Majesty’s Ambassador and the Ambassador of Canada, who noted the sacrifice of members of the Canadian Armed Forces in conflict, and the recent victims of terrorism in Canada.
To see more photos of our Remembrance Service, please visit our Facebook page.