Sunday 9 November 2008

Remembrance Sunday

Today is Remembrance Sunday. The day the Country stops at 11am, for two minutes, to remember all those who have given their lives in battle. Originally called Armistice Day, to mark the end of the First World War at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918, it was renamed Remembrance Sunday at the end of the Second World War. In the UK, and other countries around the world, Poppies are used to mark this day. The photo is part of the Field of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Cheltenham.

On the 11th of November 1918, 90 years ago, the Armistice was signed at 5.00am in a train carriage in the Forest of Compiegne in France, and came into effect at 11.00am. At 10.57am Canadian Private George Lawrence Price was killed with a single bullet to the chest while on patrol in Canal du Centre. He was the last soldier to die in action on the Western front.

The number of First World War casualties was over 40 million - 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. This huge number includes civilian and military casualties. The UK lost 885,138 Service men and women. Our Service men and women are still killed today during Service for their country. There has only been one year (1968) since the end of the Second World War when a British Service person hasn't been killed on active duty.

We owe these brave men and women our freedom and gratitude. Lest We Forget.
_

20 comments:

Mame said...

Lovely post. I'm sorry to hear of the continued loss of life (except for 1968). Hope to see an end to that in my lifetime.

magiceye said...

beautiful post to remind us what hatred can do...

Unknown said...

Very suitable post! My congratulations.

Virginia said...

Lest we forget indeed. We all have heroes to thank. YOur post is lovely today. I appreciate your visits so very much, Marley.
V

Troop 1309 said...

Wonderful post.

Janet said...

I like those 2 minutes of remembrance. A nice way to pay tribute.

Hilda said...

Oops, the explanation's here. Ignore my question in the other blog then.

I'm glad you posted this, Marley. I have just learned something new. And I'm honored to share in that remembrance and thankfulness.

I hope we all live to see the end of fighting and killing for politics, control, and beliefs…

Kate said...

At first I couldn't identify your photo when I saw it in the portal, but then remembrance!! I distinctly recall stopping at 11 am during school to pause and reflect upon the Armistice. I also remember wearing poppies. In our country those same traditions are no longer maintained or at leasst it's not widespread. Too bad, altho we still have the day honoured in other ways.

Anonymous said...

That is a fine tribute Marley. I wanted to take a picture of the young cadet I bought my poppy from, but she said they are really wary of that "in case the pictures end up on websites". Which is fair enough, though very sad that they have to be so careful.

Tash said...

This is indeed a lovely, moving photo. As a stamp collector, I have a beautiful UK stamp block of Passchendaele 1917-2007 with LEST WE FORGET. Your photo with the simplicity of the cross & the bright red poppies would make a fine stamp.

Tash said...

P.S. I posted a response to your Bud q. on my Saturday post comments.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Very moving Marley. I too have posted poppies and was at the war memorial in Tewkesbury today at 11.00 am.

Jilly said...

Lest we forget indeed, Marley. A moving image and beautiful words.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ditto what Mame said. Bless Britain.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Perfect for today narrative ans image. Lest we forget, never.

brian stout said...

wonderful post today marley. it is most important to remember...

Christina S said...

Beatiful - both the photo and the post.

Anonymous said...

As I travel around Europe and look at all the war memorials, the thing that stands out so vividly for me, is the lists of names that show entire families being killed. How defastating that must have been for those at home.

Ming the Merciless said...

Great job! The image is sad, solemn but yet hopeful and bright.

Thanks for sharing the photo with us.

Chuck Pefley said...

Those numbers are absolutely staggering.

Tomorrow is our Vetran's Day here in the US. I suspect it is the counterpart to your Remembrance Day.

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