Freetown Mayor Joins Tribute to Sierra Leone’s Forgotten World War Heroes
Aminata Koroma Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has joined members of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at a graveside memorial in Wilberforce to honour service members who lost their lives during the two World Wars, including more than 900 members of the Sierra Leone Carrier Corps.
In a statement, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said the fallen men had previously been commemorated at the Kingtom Memorial. However, the discovery that some of them were buried in Wilberforce made the memorial an important opportunity to honour them at the very place where they were laid to rest.
She emphasised the importance of preserving the sanctity of life and recognising the sacrifices of those who came before, noting that every life matters and every name deserves to be remembered.
The Mayor described the graveside memorial as the beginning of a series of commemorative activities, which will continue on Friday with the lighting and commissioning of the Commonwealth War Graves Monument.
She reaffirmed the importance of remembering and honouring those who lost their lives in service, stressing that their contributions and sacrifices must never be forgotten.