The President of Wiesa, Neil Flanagan MBE introduced the Mayor of Lambeth. "Lambeth Borough Council received and sheltered the migrants on the SS Empire Windrush."  Many on that vessel were ex-service personnel, coming to work in the UK during post-war reconstruction.

The Worshipful Mayor of Lambeth, Cllr Liz Atkinson. "A third of the forces in the Great War came from the Empire, and they must have their rightful place in history."

Cllr Lorna Campbell, Deputy Cabinet Member of Community Liaison with Lambeth Council. "We must honour the memory of our War Veterans."

Commander David Coffey from the Canadian High Commission for Mr James Wright. "What we have in common, men and women who put the service of their country and the Commonwealth before all else. That is why we are here today, to thank them."

Mr Jonathan Iremonger, Director of the Veterans Policy Unit, bearing greetings form Veterans Minister Derek Twigg,. "The government is committed to Veterans and to the care of those who served; a key part in this are the ex-service organisations who have the local support, enthusiasm, commitment and passion.  

The High Commissioner of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr Cerio Lewis. "I believe in peace but we must sometimes defend that peace, and war may be necessary to defend democracy and freedom." He added that 500 people from the Grenadines were on active service, and emphasised that "whether black, white or yellow we are of one single race, the human race."

Major Jim MacLoud, representing the Irish Rifles. "Irish guards are on active service now." He added that "men from Irish regiments were buried at Seaford", and revealed that the 19th century Inniskillings named their barracks "St Lucia barracks" after the West Indian island.

Phil Vasili, who researched Walter Tull. "He obtained respect from a quiet inner strength". He added that  there has been an early days motion supporting a statue on the White Cliffs to commemorate Walter Tull, and that it would be good if the Military Cross, for which Walter Tull had been recommended, could now be awarded, "for his family and as a symbolic award for all black people in the British army". 

Laurent Philpot introduced Cy Grant.  "There were 7000 volunteers from the Caribbean for the RAF alone, and 400 who became air crew." ... "before 1941 there was a bar on men of colour joining the RAF." After this date many became navigators as they were still unlikely to be accepted as pilots.

Cy Grant, entertainer, spoke of being shot down over Holland, and becoming a prisoner of war. The last camp he was in, before liberation, he described as "hell". An especial photograph was taken of him and published in an enemy newspaper with the caption "a member of the RAF of indeterminate race".

Constance Mark, WWII Veteran, who had joined the army in 1941. "When I'm asked what nationality I am, I say I am British and proud of it. English is the only language I speak"

Eddie Capone the WIESA Chairman. "The Military never sleep." He announced a national fund-raising appeal for ex-service people, explaining that "8 out of 10 rough sleepers are ex-service." He added that it is "the only profession where we sign to give our very lives" and underlined the great debt they are owed. He added that in Greek philosophy if a name is spoken that person lives on, and welcomed the Dover War Memorial Project and its work of remembrance.