Remembrance services across Three Rivers 2021

Special ‘Poppy Match’ marks tenth anniversary of soldier’s death in Afghanistan

The tenth anniversary of the death of a soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan will be marked with a special memorial football match.

Private Thomas Lake, from Northwood, was killed in action while patrolling the Jamal Kowi area of the Nahr-e Saraj district of central Helmand in November 2011. The former Oxhey Jets player has been remembered annually at the team’s poppy matches, which raise money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Each year the Jets play a military side, and this year will be playing the Coldstream Guards football team.

Club founder and general manager, John Elliott, said: “I think we are the only club in the country that has got permission not to play a league match on Poppy Saturday – that was a massive milestone for us, the FA agreeing that we can always play a military side on that Saturday. “It’s very big for us, because clearly we had our own player lost in action and it is very significant that we honour him. This year is his tenth anniversary, and his mum Carol is really moved that the club do keep his name going.”

A new covered enclosure for disabled supporters will also be formally named the Tom Lake Memorial Stand at the event.

A Remembrance service is due to take place from 2.30pm prior to the 3pm kick off on Saturday 13 November at the Boundary Stadium off Little Oxhey Lane, Altham Way, South Oxhey. Match entry programmes are £5.

Remembrance services across the district

Poppy wreaths will be laid at war memorials across Three Rivers district on Armistice Day (11 November) and Remembrance Sunday (14 November) to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all military personal involved in conflicts since the First World War.

Councillors from all political groups will be representing Three Rivers District Council at services of remembrance across the district, including Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the council Leader, who will attend St Peter the Apostle Church, Mill End and the council Chair, Cllr Keith Martin, who will attend the South Oxhey Baptist Church.

Here is a comprehensive list of remembrance events across district:

Thursday 11 November:

Holy Cross Church, Sarratt

Act of Remembrance at the war memorial on the green at 11am.

Sunday 14 November:

St Lawrence Church, Abbots Langley

Parade from Garston TV & Radio along High Street to St Lawrence Church.  Meet at 10.50am at the war memorial in the churchyard followed by a service in St Lawrence Church at 11.15am.

Church of Ascension, Bedmond

Wreath laying at 3pm.

St Meryl's JMI School, Carpenders Park

Service held at 11am.

Christ Church, Chorleywood

Service at 3pm.

St Thomas of Canterbury Church, West Hyde

Communion service at 9.30am with separate Act of Remembrance at 10.45am (Expected timings).

St John the Evangelist Church, Heronsgate

Act of Remembrance at 10.45am.

Croxley Green War Memorial, Croxley Green

Assemble at Croxley Green War Memorial at 1.30pm for a service at 2pm.

St Paul's Church, Langleybury

Service, including Holy Communion, will start in church at 10am, moving outside just before 11am for the laying of wreaths at the war memorial.

Leavesden War Memorial, High Road

Meet at 10.30am to 10.40am for a small community service and wreath laying at the memorial. Two minutes’ silence at 11am.

Eastbury Farm Primary School, Northwood

There will be a service held at 10am, with two minutes’ silence at 11am followed by wreath-laying.

South Oxhey Baptist Church

Chair of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Keith Martin, will attend a Service of Remembrance at 10.30am.

St Peter the Apostle Church, Mill End

Act of Remembrance at 10:45. Wreath to be laid at a private ceremony at 11am (on Thursday 11 November) by Leader of Three Rivers District Coucil, Cllr Sarah Nelmes.

Reach Free School, Mill End, Rickmansworth

The Community Act of Remembrance will be held outdoors at 2pm following procession from various points within the Mill End and Maple Cross communities.

St Mary's Church, Rickmansworth

The parade will begin at 2pm from RC Church of Our Lady (assemble at 1.30pm) followed by a Remembrance Service at 2.30pm in the Churchyard by the war Memorial.

All Saints Church, South Oxhey

The Remembrance Service will be held at 10.30am.