Remembering London Bridge one year on
Tributes paid to victims at memorial service to mark anniversary of London Bridge terrorist attack
It was a day of high emotion yesterday when a minute’s silence and commemoration service at Southwark Cathedral were held to mark the first anniversary of the London Bridge terror attack, which killed eight people and injured dozens more
As the minute’s silence fell over London Bridge yesterday afternoon, a solemn group dressed in bright clothing and holding bouquets of flowers gathered by the doorway of The Barrowboy and Banker pub. A year ago, James Mcmullan, their nephew, cousin and friend, had been happily drinking on a Saturday evening when he left the pub and walked into a terrorist attack that would take his life.
The 32-year-old IT worker’s parents stood on the other side of the bridge for the moment of reflection, accompanied by family members of the other seven victims and those injured in the attacks, as well as Theresa May, the Prime Minister, and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.
In a display of love for their son, Simon and Mila Mcmullan wore T-shirts designed for his funeral, which pictured James dressed in the shell of a washing machine, a photo taken when he won a prize for best costume at the Bestival music festival.
On the back, in large letters, was James’s motto: “Play hard, work harder.” Next to them, James’s sister, Melissa, wore sunglasses to hide her tears. Eight people were killed on June 3 last year when three attackers drove a van into pedestrians on the bridge before lashing out indiscriminately with knives, including three people from France, two from Australia, one from Canada, one from Spain, and James, from London. A further 48 were injured. “During the minute’s silence, all of us will be thinking about James and I will be mourning my son and the other people whose lives were pointlessly taken,” Mr Mcmullan' told
The Daily Telegraph shortly before a private service at Southwark Cathedral. “I will be thanking the services for the outstanding work they did under very difficult conditions.
“I’ll also think about the terrible waste of the whole event. It was such a negative thing, nobody gained, everybody lost.”
He added: “Today for us it is not about remembering the bad things, it’s about remembering the good things. It’s about celebrating these people, who were enjoying themselves in London, and their love for life.”
At the service for family members of the victims, people who were injured, first responders and members of the local community, a friend or relation lit a candle for each person who lost their life. An olive tree, or “tree of healing”, was planted in the cathedral grounds in compost made from the flowers left at the bridge in tribute last year. After, the cathedral’s bells rang as the congregation joined a procession to the Southwark Needle, hundreds united in a spirit of communal strength in defiance of terror.
“Last June was one of the darkest days in our borough’s history,” said Peter John, leader of Southwark council, who led the “moment of silent unity” at 4.30pm. “Time can help us all to heal better, but so can the strength and friendship we find in our community in times of adversity. Today, we come together to remember the damage and show we’re strong and united in the face of evil.”
During the silence, families of the victims quietly sobbed, held one another’s hands and stoically gazed at the wreaths they had laid with shaking hands for their loves ones at the end of the bridge.
They were joined by Mrs May, Mr Khan, Savid Javid, the Home Secretary, Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Members of the public thronged the streets, waving union flags. “We’re here to show solidarity with the victims and their families,” said Julia Smith, 58. “It’s a show of defiance and that we will stand together.”
Following the silence, people injured in the attack, service members, and religious and community leaders were invited to leave flowers under the Needle.
The crowd was reverent when Wayne Marques, the police officer who was stabbed in the head and temporarily blinded in one eye by the attackers, laid his flowers. Ms May laid a wreath of coloured flowers with a note that said: “We will never forget those who died, and will never surrender to hatred and division.”
Next to it, Mr Khan’s message said: “Our city will never forget you. We stand united against terrorism and together in remembering the innocent lives lost.” The sentiment was echoed by people who travelled to the bridge for the ceremony. One group held placards that said “#Turntolove”.
“We’re a group of concerned citizens who want to stand up for what’s right, for joy and for love,” said Qayum Monnan, 27.
Throughout the day the words #Londonunited were projected on to the bridge as a symbol of defiance.
Another attendee was Ella Northover, 17, whose stepfather, Grant Mills, was stabbed twice during the attack when he was passing through London after a day at the races. She said: “He recovered pretty quickly, thankfully, and was out of hospital within two weeks.”
Her mother and Grant were invited to the private ceremony, during which
‘It is not about remembering the bad things, it’s about celebrating these people, who were enjoying themselves in London, and their love for life’
members of the cathedral and local community paid tribute with readings.
After the minute’s silence, James’s family and friends decamped to a nearby bar. At 10pm, they planned to release 200 white balloons from the bridge attached with messages for James. Joined by family members of four of the other victims, Mr Mcmullan said the unofficial commemoration on a quiet bridge at night would let the families celebrate the departed at the time of the attack.
“It’s not about being miserable: James was a very sociable and gregarious person.
“There were over 200 people at his funeral and there will be about 50 to 60 there tonight,” he said “This evening isn’t a wake, it’s a celebration of those people’s lives.”