The History and Tradition Behind Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is a special day held in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in World War 1 and World War 2.

It also now includes later conflicts. It is held on the 2nd Sunday in November as it is the nearest Sunday to the 11th November which is Armistice Day This is the anniversary of the end of the fighting in the World War 1 at 11.00 hours in 1918. It is on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. The U.K. marks this day by holding ceremonies at local war memorials in cities towns and villages which are attended by the mayors, local councillors, serving and ex serving military personnel of which many are members of the Royal British Legion who organise this main event in London at Whitehall where the Cenotaph is.

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Junior groups like the Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides and cadets from the sea and Airforce all attend in their uniforms and all wearing their Poppy. Wreaths made from Poppies are laid on the memorials after a two minute silence is held at 11.00am Church bells ring out after this silence which creates a momentous effect. In London Big Ben strikes 11.00 hours and everybody is silent until a lone Bugler plays. The first two minute silence in Britain was held on 11th November 1919 when King George V asked the public to observe a silence at 11am. This was one year after the end of World War 1. He made the request so that “the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on the reverent  remembrance of the glorious dead”

The Queen is the first to lay her Wreath at the Cenotaph then is followed by other Royals, Government Officials, and senior members of the Forces. After a short service a march by happens and thousands of people march past the Cenotaph and a wreath is laid by each Regiment and Organisations helping military personnel both ex and serving. It is a very solemn occasion which is watch and taken part in my millions of people. The Cenotaph which means “an empty tomb” is a symbol which pays tribute to all those who died in conflict and are buried elsewhere

In the smaller towns and cities this takes place on a smaller scale but still has a solemn effect. The Poppy was chosen as a symbol of this event because poppies grew prominently in Flanders battlefields in 1921 Poppies are made solely by The Royal British Legion by ex service men and women and their families. In the month preceding this day they are sold everywhere and also by collectors who stand in stations, supermarkets and any other public place The funds go to the assistance of both serving and Ex Service military personnel.

Contributed by Denise Coleman Chairman of the British Legion Woman's Section Croxley Green