Remembrance Sunday

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Remembrance Sunday

 

 

The Two Minute Silence

 

 

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of the most bitter and devastating fighting, The Great War was finally over. The Armistice was signed at 5am in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Six hours later, at 11am, the war ended.

 

The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout Britain and the Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of hostilities the previous year. It came to symbolise the end of the war and provide an opportunity to remember those who had died.

 

After the end of the Second World War in 1945 Armistice Day became Remembrance Day to include all those who had fallen in the two World Wars and later conflicts.

 

In a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919, an Australian journalist, Edward George Honey, proposed a respectful silence to remember those who had given their lives in the First World War. This was brought to the attention of King George V and on 7 November 1919, the King issued a proclamation which called for a two minute silence:

 

All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.

 

The second Sunday of November is Remembrance Sunday. At 11am a two minute silence is observed at war memorials, cenotaphs, religious services and shopping centres throughout the country. The Royal Family, along with leading politicians and religious leaders gather at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London for a service and all branches of the civilian and military services are represented in ceremonies throughout Britain and the Commonwealth.

 

Why The Poppy?

 

 

Scarlet poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century, transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

 

In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as the First World War raged through Europe's heart.

 

The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in the First World War and later conflicts.

 

The History of the Cenotaph

 

 

Originally intended as a small part of the Peace Day events of July 1919, the Cenotaph was designed and built by Edwin Lutyens at the request of the then British Prime Minister Lloyd George.

 

Literally meaning 'Empty Tomb' in Greek, The Cenotaph was initially a wood and plaster construction intended for the first anniversary of the Armistice in 1919. At its unveiling the base of the monument was spontaneously covered in wreaths to the dead and missing from The Great War. Such was the extent of public enthusiasm for the construction it was decided that The Cenotaph should become a permanent and lasting memorial.

 

The Cenotaph, made from Portland stone, was unveiled in 1920. The inscription reads simply "The Glorious Dead".

 

On the Sunday nearest to 11th November at 11am each year, a Remembrance Service is held at the Cenotaph to commemorate British and Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the two World Wars and later conflicts. The monarch, religious leaders, politicians, representatives of state and the armed and auxiliary forces, gather to pay respect to those who gave their lives defending others.

 

The service has changed little since it was first introduced in 1921, hymns are sung, prayers are said and a two minute silence is observed. Official wreaths are laid on the steps of The Cenotaph. The ceremony ends with a march past of war veterans; a poignant gesture of respect for their fallen comrades.

 

Services of Remembrance are held at war memorials and cenotaphs throughout Britain and the Commonwealth nations. While the style and size of these memorials vary considerably from place to place, an exact replica of Lutyens' Cenotaph stands proudly in London, Canada.

 

[Takara_Soong 4]

On November 11 at 11:00 a.m. Canadians observe a moment of silence to honour the brave men and women who fought for our freedom. Services will be held throughout the country to honour these individuals.

 

This is a picture of the National War Memorial in Ottawa where a service will be held.

 

 

From Government of Canada Capital Region website:

 

This large memorial arch is a tribute to all Canadians who have served Canada in war. The National War Memorial stands majestically in Confederation Square in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

 

The Memorial, 21 metres high, is made of a granite arch featuring bronze figures representing Peace and Freedom. Advancing through the archway are 22 bronze figures, representing the "Great Response" of hundreds of thousands of Canadians who answered the call to serve during the First World War. The National War Memorial was unveiled by his Majesty King George VI in May 1939. The structure was designed by Vernon March of England, whose design was chosen in a world-wide competition in 1925. Over the years, the Memorial has come to symbolize the sacrifice of all Canadians who served Canada in times of war.

 

The Memorial was rededicated to their honour in May 1982, with the dates 1939-1945 to represent the Second World War and 1950-1953 to represent the Korean War added to the structure. A nationally televised Remembrance Day ceremony is held at the Memorial each November 11, and other commemorative ceremonies are held here throughout the year to honour the many Canadian men and women who gave their lives for this country.

 

On May 28, 2000, in a solemn ceremony, the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier were laid to rest in a sarcophagus on the upper plaza on the south side of Canada's National War Memorial. The solder died in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge, France, sometime during the First World War. The Tomb consists of a sarcophagus made of granite from the Beauce region of Quebec, with a bronze cover designed by sculptor Mary-Ann Liu of Mission, British Columbia. The casting of the bronze cover was done at the Harman Foundry of Roberts Creek, B.C. The casket in which the Unknown Soldier lies was provided by the Funeral Service Association of Canada. It is made of Canadian silver maple, and was produced by the Victoriaville Group in Victoriaville, Quebec.

 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established to remind all Canadians of the human cost of our country's commitment to the cause of peace and freedom in the past, in the present and in the future.

Edited November 10, 2005 by Takara_Soong

[Bananas_The_Hutt 0]

That's really cool,Takara.

I don't think we observe Rememberance Day in the States.We've got,like Memorial Day and Veterans Day.But I'm going to observe a moment of silence for the Canadian dead,anyway.We were all in the world wars together,and your army was fighting for us,too.Its only right,I think.

 

Edited November 9, 2003 by Bananas_The_Hutt

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Here are some links for further reading:

 

1. An excellent site focusing on both World Wars along with more recent conflicts, includes detailed accounts of major battles, timelines, maps and essays: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/

 

2. Both of the following sites focus extensively on the First World War:

 

- http://www.worldwar1.com/

- http://www.firstworldwar.com/

 

3. This site hosts over 1000 photographs from WW1: http://www.ku.edu/~kansite/ww_one/photos/greatwar.htm

 

4. Another BBC site including personal stories from people who lived though the World Wars: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/

 

5. Spartacus is largely a site set up for schools however don’t let that put you off as it covers all the basics and gives a good overview: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWW.htm

[LadyNarana 0]

That Cenotaph is majestic. I love the inscription - nothing grandiose, nothing flowery. Just a simple statement of fact.

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Queen lays wreath for war dead

 

 

The Queen and prime minister have led tributes at the annual Remembrance Day service in London in honour of the servicemen and women who died for their country.

A shot fired by the Queen's cavalry at 1100 GMT marked the start of the two-minute silence to remember the nation's war dead, including more than 50 British soldiers who died in Iraq.

 

Royal Marine buglers sounded the Last Post before the Queen laid the first of a carpet of wreaths at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

 

Three World War I veterans, all aged over 100, rode in an open top car to lead the 10,000 ex-servicemen and women and some 1,600 civilians in a march past the country's main war memorial.

 

Services were also held across the UK and by British soldiers in Iraq.

 

'Not forgotten'

 

The Queen was followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent in laying wreaths.

 

Tony Blair led senior politicians in paying tribute to the war dead.

 

He was joined by Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the Conservative Party leader Michael Howard.

 

A government spokesman said: "The service at the Cenotaph is framed to ensure that no-one is forgotten.

 

"Tributes placed on the Cenotaph are dedicated to all who have suffered and died in war."

 

The ceremony first held in 1921 to remember those who gave their lives during World War I was later expanded to include all who have died in conflict in the service of their country.

 

Ahead of the two minute silence the Royal British Legion said it hoped three-quarters of the country would pause to mark the moment the guns fell silent at the end of World War I.

 

In Iraq, the lives of seven servicemen - six British and one American - killed in a collision between two Sea King helicopters in the Gulf were marked with a wreath at the accident site.

 

The Commander of the British Maritime Forces Rear Admiral David Snelson placed the wreath.

 

 

Oman ceremony

 

In a separate ceremony, about 500 troops paraded past the old war memorial in Basra, southern Iraq.

 

Earlier on Sunday the Prince of Wales, on a visit to Oman, attended a Remembrance Day service and laid a wreath at the Ras Al Hamra Christian cemetery.

 

Among those marching in the parade in London were families of soldiers who have died in unexplained circumstances in UK barracks, such as Deepcut in Surrey.

 

On Saturday night the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, attended a Remembrance Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

 

Tony Blair was also at the event, organised by the Royal British Legion.

[Takara_Soong 4]

I'm bumping this thread in honour of all those who sacrificed themselves so we can live in freedom.

[Jim Phaserman 0]

Here in America, we tend to forget sometimes that in most of the major conflicts within the past century, the Canadians, British, and Australians have been fighting with us. I think the only major war that we were involved in that didn't involve major contributions by Britain and Canada was Vietnam (Australia also participated in the "Indochina War" as it is sometimes known).

 

I've served alongside British and Australian servicemen in a combat situation (Well, the naval elements, anyways) and I admire the bravery and skill they possess. I have even had an opportunity once to share a drink with a few Royal Navy boys, and they are all grand fellows. History remembers the Generals and Admirals, but forgets Privates and Seamen. We, the people, though, should never forget them, for they are the ones who truely do fight the fights.

[Yillara Skye 1]

History remembers the Generals and Admirals, but forgets Privates and Seamen. We, the people, though, should never forget them, for they are the ones who truely do fight the fights.

Well said, Jim.