Matt Turmaine placed a wooden cross for Watford's war dead in Parliament's Garden of Remembrance. On Sunday he gives a reading at St Mary's and lays a wreath.

Watford’s MP, Matt Turmaine, placed a wooden cross for the town’s war dead in the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster on Monday 2 November. His office says he was one of the first MPs to do so, after a service at New Palace Yard in Parliament organised with the Royal British Legion. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was the first to pay his respects.

Each of the 650 MPs is invited to the garden, in the shadow of Big Ben, to honour those from their constituency who lost their lives in war. Mr Turmaine’s cross has “Watford” written across the top in his own hand, “Lest we forget” on one arm and “We will remember them” on the other.

“It is important to ensure Watford is represented properly,” he said. “This year marks 110 years since the terrible Battle of the Somme in the First World War. Lives have been lost in many wars and conflicts and equally sadly for Watford since 1945 too.”

Matt Turmaine standing with his head bowed on the edge of a lawn dotted with small wooden crosses, with the Palace of Westminster behind himA small wooden cross with a red poppy in the grass, handwritten with Watford, Lest we forget, We will remember them and Matt Turmaine, above a black marker reading Watford

2 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: supplied by Matt Turmaine MP

What he is doing in Watford this Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is on 8 November. Mr Turmaine’s office says he will attend the morning Remembrance service at St Mary’s Church and give a Bible reading from the Old Testament. It has not given a time for that service, and the council’s list of services still shows St Mary’s as to be confirmed.

In the afternoon he will lay a wreath at the Peace Memorial. The council says the ceremony starts at 3pm outside the Town Hall, after veterans, service personnel and cadets muster on the Parade by the pond at 2.30pm. Times for every service in the town are on our Remembrance Sunday in Watford page.

Updated 10 November: Mr Turmaine laid a wreath at the Peace Memorial on Sunday afternoon, at the town’s service outside the Town Hall. Our report and pictures from the day.

Matt Turmaine in a dark overcoat, poppy on his lapel, stepping forward with a poppy wreath towards the steps of the Peace Memorial, with veterans, standard bearers and a crowd behind him
Matt Turmaine laying a wreath at the Peace Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. Photo: Simon Jacobs

Poppies in West Watford

Mr Turmaine has also helped to put up poppies on lampposts in West Watford, alongside borough councillors Asif Khan, Nigel Bell and Jagtar Singh Dhindsa. His office staff are invited to observe a two-minute silence at 11am on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November.

Matt Turmaine on a small stepladder beside a lamppost with a large poppy fixed to it, with three men holding large poppies around him on a shopping street
Matt Turmaine on the steps with councillors Asif Khan, Nigel Bell and Jagtar Singh Dhindsa, putting up poppies in West Watford. Photo: supplied by Matt Turmaine MP

At Westminster Underground Station he also gave to the Poppy Appeal at the Royal British Legion’s stand.

Matt Turmaine at a Royal British Legion table of poppy merchandise in a station hall, facing a man in a suit behind the table
Matt Turmaine at the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal stand in Westminster Underground Station. Photo: supplied by Matt Turmaine MP