British, German, US diplomats honour war veterans

The British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Brain Olley, recently led a delegation made up of the German Ambassador, Klaus Luding and the US Ambassador, Michael Hoza, to Bamenda to honour victims of the First World War.

The diplomatic delegation visited the graves of WW I victims, who died some 100 years ago, below the Governor’s Office in Bamenda.

The solemn event, started with a brief church service to remember and dedicate the souls of the brave soldiers and others who died fighting for the freedom the world is enjoying today.

Rev. Father George Ngalim who led the service, said the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God and in peace.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things have passed away,” Rev. Ngalim prayed.

Talking about the soldiers who gave their lives for the peace and freedom in Cameroon and other countries, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Olley, said, on this day; “People across the world pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women.

This year marks the centenary of the First World War. So, it is particularly appropriate that we reflect on the consequences of War, not just deaths, but also those who live on with life changing injuries. That is why each year, we should stop and pause, even just for two minutes, to think about those who struggle on, and their families,” the High Commissioner remarked.

Olley said he is often asked if this is a uniquely British ceremony. “It is not. We shall share on this commemoration,” he said. According to the British High Commissioner, during WW I (1914-1918), much of the fighting took place in Western Europe.

Previously beautiful countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over, again and again. The landscape swiftly turned to fields of mud, where little or nothing could grow. The British High Commissioner said millions of FCFA earned from the sale of poppies are given to injured servicemen and women to assist their families.

The Mayor of Bamenda I, Caroline B. Bongwa, whose municipality is hosting the graves of the fallen soldiers, described the event as historic and memorable. She expressed gratitude to the British High Commissioner and the Ambassadors of Germany and America for immortalising the event.