Victory Day in London

Andy Brooks pays tribute to the fallen

In the Morning…

by New Worker correspondent

MILLIONS of Russians took to the streets last week to celebrate Victory Day and the surrender of the Third Reich on 9th May 1945. Every year, the Russian Federation celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany with parades and processions across the country including Moscow, where a massive parade in the capital showcased modern Russia’s military might.

Similar tributes to the millions of Soviet soldiers and citizens who died in the struggle to defeat the Nazis in the Second World War were held in much of the former Soviet Union, western Europe and the rest of the world.

In London, New Communist Party leader Andy Brooks joined veterans, diplomats and local dignitaries at the ceremony that’s held every year at the Soviet War Memorial in the shadow of the Imperial War Museum in south London.

Hundreds of people, including many from the Russian community in London, gathered around the Memorial in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in Southwark on Thursday 9th May to mark the 74^th anniversary of the Allied victory over fascism in 1945.

British, Soviet and Norwegian war veterans marched to the monument to start the act of remembrance that was opened by Catherine Rose, the Mayor of Southwark, and addressed by Philip Matthews from the Soviet Memorial Trust Fund and Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko.

This was followed by the laying of floral tributes by Southwark councillors, diplomats from the countries of the former Soviet Union, British and Soviet veterans, and friendship associations.

Officials from the Marx Memorial Library, the NCP and other communist movements laid their wreaths and flowers at the memorial that was unveiled on 9th May 1999. This was followed by the solemn Soviet lament, The Final Chord, sung by the choir of the Russian Embassy school in London, the Last Post and two minutes silence to remember those who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom during the Second World War.

Finally the Russian ambassador invited everyone to join him in a toast to victory at the nearby marquees where vodka, wine and Russian food awaited them.

…And the Afternoon

at Trafalgar Square

Many then went on to Trafalgar Square to join the ‘Immortal Regiment’ parade, called by the Russian community in Britain to honour those that fell in the fight against fascism that is called the Great Patriotic War in most of the former republics of the USSR.

Londoners, including many members of the Russian ex-pat community, held portraits and Soviet emblems as they remembered those who had died in the Second World War, including veterans, partisans, concentration camp victims and home-front workers.

Starting in Trafalgar Square the parade moved on to Westminster shouting 'Ura!' and singing Russian war-time favourites such as Kalinka and Katyusha. Both young and old joined the rally, complete with signs and banners showing to all Londoners the history of the Great Patriotic War.

RAF veteran Gareth Fearn told the Russian media that he joined the rally to support his girlfriend but also said that it was important to commemorate those who served in the Red Army for their sacrifices.

"I attended to support my girlfriend but also I served in the Royal Air Force.

“I think it's unimportant which country you're from. I think it's important to remember all of those who served in the war regardless of which side they served on.

"I think it's important to celebrate not just on 9 May but on every type of Remembrance Day, and I think it's important to continue that from generation to generation because if we didn't, we'd be living in a very different world. If it wasn't for these people, we'd be living in a different world today.”

Another marcher dressed in Soviet uniform said that Remembrance Day was important to remember and held deep meaning for his family.

"It's our Remembrance Day. My great-grandfather died in this war and it holds a lot of meaning for us. As soon as people forget one war, another will happen after that."