A huge memorial service for Sir Stirling Moss OBE brought central London to a standstill
Words Robert Coucher
‘BY KIND PERMISSION of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, the Moss family invites you to celebrate the life of Sir Stirling Moss OBE; remembering the friend, the father, the racer, the gentleman, the joker, and the world-renowned hero who was admired by so many.’
Four years after his death on Easter Sunday 2020, at the age of 90, the motoring world gathered at the spectacular Westminster Abbey to celebrate the life of Stirling Moss. Delayed because of Covid restrictions, more than 2000 people joined his son Stirling Elliot Moss and daughter-in law Helen Jane Moss on 8 May.
The huge service was attended by Prince Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon as well as racing drivers Sir Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, John Watson and Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony. F1 team principles Christian Horner and Ross Brawn were sitting alongside actor Rowan Atkinson and musician Nick Mason, and the Moss family had made 722 tickets available to the general public, in reference to the famous Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes-Benz SLR that took pride of place outside the Abbey.
At 11am precisely, amid the imposing stained glass windows and the gold and scarlet finery of Westminster Abbey, the magnificently attired clergy strode the length of the construct holding large gold crucifixes aloft, followed by Stirling Moss’s white helmet on a presentation cushion, a case containing ten British Racing Drivers’ Club Gold Stars, and Damon Hill bearing the silver Monaco GP trophy. The choristers and organist went for maximum revs and raised the ceiling with the first hymn as the enormity of the event began to ring home to those fortunate enough to be attending.
The Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, then gave the Bidding: ‘We recall his rare talent and courage; that compelling ability that made him excel on the race rack. “Movement is tranquillity”, he said, and lived out a long life with eager urgency.’
Next, Stirling Elliot Moss read out a letter from his father: ‘The stars, to me, symbolise all I ever wanted to achieve. Look at the stars, my son, and know you can do it, too.’
Journalist Simon Taylor took to the pulpit to deliver a moving tribute. ‘Stirling was very modest and I think he’d be astonished by so many people gathering here in this great place in his honour. He was one of the greatest racin
