British Cemetery honours fallen at Remembrance Service

Community leaders ensured Covid-19 didn’t prevent annual Remembrance Day service last weekend, as a group gathered to remember the fallen.

Last Sunday, November 8, the British Cemetery in Buenos Aires played host to a slimmed down group of just 20 attendees in order to comply with health restrictions imposed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Although no event had been scheduled due to the measures, the British Embassy requested permission to hold an abridged event at the Chacarita cemetery’s Memorial Wall.

Deputy Defence Attaché Major Ben Watson coordinated the event, which is always well attended. More than 200 people paid tribute at last year’s event.

Archbishop Greg Venables directed this year’s service, accompanied by the recently elected Anglican Bishop Reverend Brian Williams.

British Embassy Defense Attaché Gp. Capt Mike Lavender OBE RAF and German Embassy Defense Attaché Colonel Frank de Waele presented wreaths, as did Major Ben Watson, Tim Lough, John Hunter and World War II veteran Ronnie Scott, now aged 103.

Buenos Aires Scottish Guards and the Salvation Army bugler also took part in the brief but moving ceremony, which underlined that annual traditions can carry on regardless in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

– TIMES (with thanks to John Hunter)