Waterloo remembers

On 21st March 1922 Waterloo station was officially reopened by Queen Mary, following rebuilding to consolidate and expand on development since the station’s original opening in 1848. As well as being the station’s main entrance, the Victory Arch (pictured left) is one of the largest war memorials on the railway, dedicated to the 585 members of the London and South Western Railway who lost their lives in service during the Great War. The centenary of the reopening was marked with a ceremony on the steps of the Victory Arch, exactly 100 years later on 21st March 2022, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. The ceremony was led by the Railway Mission Chaplain Christopher Henley (pictured, right), who was also joined by colleagues from Network Rail, South Western Railway, the Railway Heritage Trust and the British Transport Police, along with representatives serving in the Armed Forces and Armed Forces Veterans. Christopher led tributes of remembrance to those lost in the war, whilst also praying for those affected by war and conflict saying: “We have gathered at this memorial today to remember all those from our railway community who were caught up in the courageous but tragic events of the First World War. We remember those who were killed in action, or by disease, the bereaved, the lost, the families which were shattered, the wounded, maimed and injured, and those who held in silence unspeakable memories of warfare. We also remember and hold in our hearts, those affected by the conflicts that have marred the past one hundred years. We remember those who fought and those who remained anxiously at home; those who did not return home; and those who live with the scars of war, both physical and emotional.” “Let us pray: Our Lord and Father, we come before you with hearts heavy with the memory of wars and conflicts. Yet we also remember that the freedoms we have today were secured by the sacrifice of those who fought for their country.” “We pray for all those bereaved and touched by grief; for the families and loved ones, touched by the pain of loss. Help us to remember the sacrifice of those who did not return, and help us to build a society that holds peace and understanding, compassion and love as the highest of ideals. Amen.”