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* Remembrance Sunday 2020 & the amazing “Poppy Cabs”

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Geoff Clements Posted in Military, Streets, WW1, WW2 .

On Remembrance Sunday 2020 – London Shoes experienced a ‘first’, when my London cabbie mate Lee, asked me if I wanted to accompany him into London to ‘be there’ for the occasion.

This year’s Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph was a unique occasion, for 2 reasons:-

1. 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of London’s symbolic and much revered Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

2. Because of the Covid19 virus, it is the first year ever that veterans of the armed forces have not been allowed to participate and attend, to pay their respects and honour their fallen comrades – nor conduct their customary march past the Cenotaph memorial.

The Remembrance Day Service in Whitehall usually sees up to 1,000 military personnel plus 10,000 service veterans and members of public in attendance – but due to the Governments Covid19 restrictions on non-essential journey’s, in an effort to quell the spread of the virus and to protect the health of attendees – only 150 military personnel and 26 former service men & women were allowed to attend the event and be included in the march-past parade.

My mate Lee has been a fully-fledged London cabbie for the past 6 years – having spent just over 4 years prior to that, studying and eventually passing the prestigious and grueling exam that is ‘The Knowledge’.

For the past 6 years  Lee has also been a proud member of the much respected ‘Poppy Cabs’ organisation – an initiative that started in 2009 and was set-up by London cabbie ‘Mike Hughes’ – who still organises this support service every year.

Poppy Cabs are a group of licenced London cabbies who give up their time to provide a free service to make it easier for ex service personnel to travel to, from and across London – so that they can attend the Remembrance Day parades at the Cenotaph.

It is estimated that for the 10 years that the ‘Poppy Cabs’ have been in existence, they have probably provided over 10,000 free journeys for veterans.

Whilst the laying of the commemorative wreaths and the march-pasts is taking place at the Cenotaph, the Poppy Cabs line-up along Westminster Bridge.

When the parades are finished Poppy Cab Marshals escort the veterans, some of whom may be disabled, back to their cabs to transport them back to their required destinations, that could be anything from main-line stations – or military personnel accommodations such as the Union Jack Club & the Victory Services Club – or quite simply back to their homes – all free of charge.

Remembrance Sunday is a day when quite simply hundreds of London cabbies and their Poppy Cabs come together to support the country’s veterans – because without the services of the Poppy Cabs, a vast majority of the veterans would simply not be able to attend the Cenotaph event.

London cabbies see their Poppy Cabs as their way in paying back a small part of the debt they feel they owe the service personnel veterans.

However –this year, the Covid19 virus has posed the biggest challenge since Remembrance Day parades began 100 years ago.

This year, the 100th Anniversary of the Cenotaph – the services of the Poppy Cabs was not required as it would be in previous years.

However, out of respect and tradition, my good friend Lee and some of his fellow London cabbies, still wanted to be present for this year’s unique occasion in the history of Remembrance Days – not only to be there for the chiming of Big Ben at the 11th Hour and then observe the 2 Minute Silence – but to also be on hand should any of the ex-service personnel in the area require assistance and transportation.

Although not ‘essential travel’ for me personally – I felt the opportunity to travel up to Westminster to pay my respects and to be part of the, albeit extensively reduced, ‘Poppy Cab’ tradition – especially for this year’s unique Remembrance Day experience – was just too good an opportunity to turn down.

Despite the extraordinarily and extremely visible high volume of Police presence, and the closing of all approach roads and side streets leading into a barricaded and boarded-up Whitehall – to stand in the middle of a cordoned off and almost deserted Westminster Bridge – to hear the chimes of Big Ben at the 11th Hour – to observe the following 2 Minute Silence – to witness all the Thames emergency services paying their respects on the River – to witness the total respect shown by everyone around me, particularly the small number of Poppy Cab drivers who had still ventured up there, knowing full well the uniqueness of the situation –  is something that I shall never forget, and I’m so pleased that I am able to capture the experience, via my London Shoes social media portals.

Like everything else in life these days, Covid19 has had a massive impact on the life & times of a London cabbie, as it has with many other jobs, professions and the people behind them – and I really do fear, as do all cabbies – for the future of this iconic, globally recognised, historic 350 year old London profession.

I truly hope that life will return to some kind of normality at some stage soon, and that people wherever they may be from – will get the opportunity to return to see the sights, sounds and people, of this wonderful capital city – and hopefully next year’s Remembrance Day Service, will see the Poppy Cabs back out there in full force.

Hope you enjoy the photos accompanying this blog, and that they help tell-the-tale.

_____________________________________________________

See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this blog

 

Me & Lee and his ‘Poppy Cab’ – set-off for our journey up to Westminster for Remembrance Sunday 2020

 

A ‘Poppy Cab’ lapel badge that my London cabbie mate Lee very kindly gave me for our 2020 Remembrance Sunday commemoration

 

Lee – pointing out some of the many historic landmarks on route to Westminster

 

Lee’s ‘Poppy Cab’ parking up on a rank, prior to the Remembrance Sunday parade.

 

Lee – on a rank in his ‘Poppy Cab’

 

Our totally unique bespoke ‘Poppy’ facemasks – which we used specifically for our Remembrance Sunday up in Westminster

 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of London’s symbolic and much revered Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall – which first took place in November 1920 two years following the end of WW1

 

For the 2020 Remembrance Sunday – the whole of the Whitehall area surrounding the Cenotaph memorial, were ‘no-go’ areas and were boarded-up by the authorities for this years 100 Anniversary event.

 

A photo showing the extent that the authorities had gone to, to restrict any public access to Whitehall and the Cenotaph

 

Just one of the many military related statues displayed in Whitehall, close to the Cenotaph

 

Another photo showing the extent that the authorities had gone to, to restrict any public access to Whitehall and the Cenotaph

 

Another of the many military related statues displayed in Whitehall, close to the Cenotaph

 

A completely cordoned-off to traffic Westminster Bridge – shortly before Big Ben rang out to signal the 11th Hour of the 11th Month – followed by the 2 Minute Silence

 

The emergency services of the River Thames ( the River Police / Thames Lifeboat / Fire Services ) all paying their respects on the River

 

A deserted Westminster Bridge prior to observing the ‘2 Minute Silence’ – under normal circumstances the Bridge would be lined with ‘Poppy Cabs’ parked-up and waiting to transport the thousands of ex-veterans to their required destinations following the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph

 

Me & Lee – on Westminster Bridge – looking towards Westminster – wearing our bespoke Poppy Masks – having just observed the traditional “2 Minute Silence” at the 11th Hour on the 11th Month

 

Westminster Bridge – looking towards Westminster – immediately following the traditional “2 Minute Silence” at the 11th Hour on the 11th Month

 

Me & Lee – on Westminster Bridge – looking towards the South Bank – wearing our bespoke Poppy Masks – having just observed the traditional “2 Minute Silence” at the 11th Hour on the 11th Month

 

The River Thames emergency services( River Police / Lifeboat / Fire Services ) after paying their respects on the River

 

Mike Hughes – the originator of the amazing ‘Poppy Cab’ initiative back in 2009 – making his way back across Westminster Bridge following the “2 Minute Silence”. Mike still organises this amazing supportive service for veterans every year.

 

Some of the ‘Poppy Cab’ boys up on Westminster Bridge for this years Remembrance Sunday event – The founder of the ‘Poppy Cab’ initiative, Mike Hughes is in the yellow hi-vis jacket with my mate Lee to his left.

 

Me & Lee grabbing a quick cuppa up in Whitehall – before heading off back home to Romford

 

Some of the Mets Mounted Police – making their way back to the Scotland Yard Stables

 

 

Me & Lee – setting off for home, following our morning up in the Westminster area to pay our personal respects to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday 2020 – Covid19 virus or not – “WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM”

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10 Comments
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10 Responses

  1. Lee says
    November 10, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Brilliant

    Reply
  2. Tim says
    November 10, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Very poignant Geoff

    Reply
  3. Di says
    November 10, 2020 at 8:27 am

    Difficult circumstances but a great tribute.

    Reply
  4. Karen says
    November 10, 2020 at 8:27 am

    Oh that looks like a great experience Geoff.

    Reply
  5. Gill says
    November 10, 2020 at 8:27 am

    Brilliant Geoff

    Reply
  6. David says
    November 10, 2020 at 8:28 am

    Very interesting

    Reply
  7. Joanna says
    November 10, 2020 at 9:18 am

    Thank you. I really enjoyed reading this tribute to our soldiers and those great cabbies who honour them this way. I live near Victoria Street and it was a very eerie, quiet Remembrance Day in the area this year.

    Reply
  8. Peter Lemon says
    November 12, 2020 at 10:44 am

    Thank you yet again for a brilliant posting. All be it I am a true Londoner I do learn more from your London Shoes articles.

    Reply
    • Geoff Clements says
      November 12, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you Peter – glad you’re enjoying my blogs
      stay safe – Geoff (London Shoes)

      Reply
  9. Bob Robinson says
    January 7, 2021 at 4:50 am

    I have only just seen your delightful Poppy Cab blog.

    Although a retired London Cabbie ( 28 years) I was not aware of the Poppy Cabs involvement in Remembrance Sunday, and as I read it all, I could think of was how I would have loved to have been involved in it.

    Recently I learned that because of Covid and the lack of work, some London Cabbies were doing tours of the London’s Christmas Lights – so, as a Christmas present to two of my grandchildren, I did a taxi Xmas Lights tour which, although not a ‘free’ ride, it was certainly good value for money, and my grandchildren were absolutely thrilled with the experience.

    Like your wonderful Poppy Cabs tour, as we toured the London Christmas Lights, all I could think of was I would have loved to have been involved in this, when I was a cabbie.

    Well done again Geoff.👍

    Reply

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