DOZENS gathered in Ealing Broadway on Thursday to begin commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

A vigil was held by the apricot tree in Bond Street, which stands as a memorial to victims of the massacres perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.

Ealing Central and Acton MP in the last Parliament, Angie Bray, was present as the high priest of Britain’s Armenian Church led a prayer and gave a speech.

The head of Homentmen London – a charity devoted to preserving Armenian culture – Armand Abramian said: “It [the commemoration] raises awareness among people about the truth and it reaffirms our nation’s resolve to achieve justice.

“Acceptance of responsibility and an unreserved apology by the current government of Turkey is not only important for us but will be a deterrent for anyone contemplating similar acts of atrocities in future.”

The tree was planted in April 2009 and was specially chosen for Armenia’s link with apricots, called ‘prunus armeniaca’ by the Romans.

Ealing and the surrounding area is home to a large section of the Armenian community in England.

Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire, although Turkey claims these numbers are exaggerated.

Turkey continues to deny a genocide took place, arguing that a high number of Turks and Armenians died during the Ottoman Empire’s collapse.