Remberance

Armistice Day has been observed every year since 1919 with a two-minute silence to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

Held each year at 11am on 11 November, the silence coincides with the time in 1918 at which the First World War came to an end and is observed at war memorials and in public places throughout the UK and Commonwealth. There were approximately 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 10 million civilians. The Entente Powers (the Allies, being the UK, Empire/Commonwealth, France, Italy, Russia, USA etc) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers (Germany, Austria, Turkey, etc) lost about 4 million.

The United Kingdom lost 744,000 and another 219,000 Empire/Commonwealth soldiers (Canada, Australasia, India, Caribbean & West Indies, South Africa) killed in action. Of all races and beliefs.

The WW2 caused the deaths of around 60 million soldiers and civilians. 60 million is just under the entire population of the UK today

Every death devastates the family left behind

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”

British casualties only, not including French, American, Russian, Italian or German

Starting in 1921, the Royal British Legion began selling Remembrance Poppies to raise funds for ex-servicemen. While for some, Armistice Day was a day for recognising the horrors of war, never to be repeated; for others the day symbolised the honour of military service (and the sacrifices made)