Berkshire Healthcare Governor lays wreath at The National Service of Remembrance

Our Governor, Baldev Sian, had the privilege of laying a wreath at The Cenotaph in Whitehall during The National Service of Remembrance event on Remembrance Sunday.

Published 15 November 2024

Members of the Royal Family were among those paying tribute at the event alongside Members of the Cabinet, Opposition Party leaders, former Prime Ministers, as well as the Mayor of London and other ministers. Representatives of the Armed Forces, Fishing Fleets and Merchant Air and Navy also attended, as well as faith communities and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries.

Baldev, who was invited to be the official London Transport Old Comrades Association (LTOCA) Wreath Layer, said: “It was a very special day filled with surreal moments. Remembrance for me is being able to recognise those who have sacrificed their lives for a cause and show respect. I believe we must become worthy of the sacrifices made on our behalf. It meant a lot to be able to share this with everyone and take a moment to contemplate our thoughts”.  

Becoming the first turban wearing Sikh to join the Royal Navy in 1970, Baldev served seven years before going on to train as a medic. Following his service, he worked in multiple public and private industries before joining the London Underground as a Commercial and Interface Manager. It was during his time there when he joined the LTOCA, became a marcher at Cenotaph, and has marched every year since. 

As part of their coverage of the commemorations the BBC interviewed Baldev about how Remembrance resonates with him as a Sikh man. He said: “As a Sikh person, defending the freedom and personal choices of people, and seeing humanity as one, has been built into us through our faith leaders for over 500 years. It is embedded into our culture, so serving our country is seen as a duty to protect individual freedom. My family had previously been in the armed forces which inspired me to join”.  

Looking back, Baldev could have never imagined as an 18-year-old joining the Royal Navy that he would get the privilege of laying a wreath at the National Service of Remembrance. He said of the honour: “It was a special moment for many reasons, with memories to cherish forever”.

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