Remembrance Day

What is Remembrance Day?

The guns and the killing of the First World War (1914-1918) ended on 11th November at 11 o'clock 1918.

It was named ‘Armistice Day’.

And since then the 11th November has become a time of ‘remembrance’ for soldiers and civilians who have died in wars across the world.

Every year at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month we remember the end of the First World War.

We also remember soldiers and civilians who have died since the First World War and are still dying in wars today.

As an act of remembrance and respect a two minute silence is held at 11am.

Remembrance Day is also known as Poppy

Day

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 the First

World War.

King George said, “The thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead."

The week before 11th November, you'll see lots of people wearing a poppy. Poppies are red flowers which are worn to show others that you are: ‘remembering’ those who died for their country.

The reason poppies are worn is because they are the flowers which grew on the battlefields during and after the First World War ended.

Poppies have become a symbol of: ‘remembrance’ peace and a representation of fallen soldiers, especially for the First World War.

Poppies still grow there today.

Each year, volunteers will sell poppies all over Britain.

These volunteers belong to an organisation called the Royal British Legion.

Many soldiers were killed on the battlefield. Their bodies were not always brought home.

These soldiers are buried in Commonwealth war grave cemeteries.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cares for war graves all over the world.

Somme, France

‘Y’ Ravine Cemetery,France

Somme, France

Somme France,

During and after a war, some soldiers’ bodies are never found. They have no grave.

They are not forgotten; their names are written on stone memorials within war cemeteries.

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, France

Somme, France

‘Their name liveth for evermore’.

Remember the fallen