Remembrance Sunday Parade

Chiswick friends lay wreath for marine killed last May

The annual Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying ceremony in Chiswick recalled the death of a young Marine in Afghanistan six months ago.

Friends of Sam Alexander (pictured right) laid a wreath in honour of their friend who died last May following an explosion in the Nad Ali district of Helmand. The 28-year old former pupil of St. Paul's School, Barnes, was married with a young son and had been based in Plymouth.

Sam Alexander was awarded the Military Cross for Gallantry two years ago for saving the life of a wounded colleague. He joined the Royal Marines in 2006.

Members of the Royal British Legion gathered outside the Memorial Club, Bourne Place at 10.15a.m. Sunday for the annual procession to the War Memorial. Chiswick High Road was closed to traffic for a short time while the procession made its way to Turnham Green for the wreath-laying ceremony at 11.am.

This year two well-known British Legion veterans were absent. Honorary Vice Presidents of the Chiswick British Legion, Tul Bahadur Pun VC and Lachhiman Gurung VC, both Gurkha Rifles veterans of WWII, have passed away . The Chairman of the Chiswick British Legion , Councillor Paul Lynch, laid a wreath on Lachhiman Gurung's grave on Friday, and will visit Nepal to lay a wreath on Mr. Bahadur's grave in early December- the veteran died while visiting his homeland last April.

November 14, 2011