Dutch Remembrance
Ceremony 2025
The afternoon of Friday 12th September was pleasant if a little chilly. Children from several local schools joined together for the fifth consecutive year to honour the 254 Dutch war dead buried in the Dutch Garden of Remembrance in Westminster Cemetery, Mill Hill, NW7.
Representatives of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission explained to the children why there were Dutch graves in Mill Hill and how the Commission looks after the graves of British and Commonwealth war dead in many parts of the world.
At 2 pm, two pupils lowered the Dutch and British flags to half-mast to the strains of the Last Post played on a trumpet by Henry, a Year 5 pupil at Belmont Preparatory School, who afterwards played Reveille.
Rev Josh Kane of Mill Hill East Free Church led the service in the presence of Captain Rick Ongering, the Defence and Naval Attaché of the Netherlands Embassy, who gave a short and interesting speech. Also from the Embassy was Lt Col Sander van Hees, the Air and Space Attache.
His Worship the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Danny Rich, who was accompanied by the Mayoress, gave a short speech thanking the children for participating and encouraging them to further advance their knowledge and understanding of the ceremony. The Mayor afterwards laid a wreath on behalf of the Borough.
A vote of thanks to all participants and those attending was given by Martin Russell MBE, the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Barnet. Those present included Walpurga Hesper a Dutch lady living in Mill Hill who laid her own tribute to the fallen.
Members of Barnet War Memorials Association, In-Pensioner Trevor Rafferty from the Royal Hospital Chelsea in his scarlet coat, Councillors and members of the public were also in attendance.
As part of the service the children laid an orange carnation against each grave, after which pupils from two schools gave short readings from Jeremiah, in a clear and mature way.
Many wore medals with pride, not least Lt Col Julian Olver MBE TD whose medals (pictured below), from the left are MBE (Military) distinguished from civilian ones by the stripe down the middle of the ribbon, Iraq Medal and Clasp (19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003) indicating service in Iraq during the war fighting phase, Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Territorial Decoration and bar and, finally, Volunteer Reserves Service Medal. The last two were awarded for many years of efficient service. The TD was succeeded by the VRSM in 1999.
Unfortunately, the weather decided to worsen just before the end of the service but, nonetheless, spirits were not dampened by the rain. The service concluded with the playing of both the Dutch and British national anthems.
Since the Second World War, Dutch schoolchildren have laid flowers at the graves of British and Commonwealth war dead in Holland.
For five years. this event in Mill Hill has been organised by former Councillor Sury Khatri to match the compliment paid in the Netherlands.
The service in 2026 will be on Friday 11 Sept 2026 and thereafter on the second Friday of September.
All images courtesy of Gerald Alterman and are Copyright of the BWMA.
