Every year without fail, the Legion calls upon the nation to unite in order to commemorate Remembrance Day or Armistice Day as its commonly referred to. What is it all about really and why do we take two minutes for a moment of silence?
This year it will mark 105 years since the Armistice that ended the first world war. In homes, businesses, workplaces, towns and even simply on the street people will stop, stand still and fall silent for two minutes. It is this act of silence that actually is a mark of sincere respect and to remember the soldiers who gave their lives to protect the queen and the country. They laid down their lives in not just the first world war but other conflicts too and they fought for our country, our children and the future.
It originates from Cape Town, a daily three-minute silence took place, initiated by the then Mayor, Sir Harry Hands, on May 14 1918, after he received the news that his son had died in the First World War. The Last Post would be played to start the silence and then Reveille to signal the end of the silence – trams and taxis were stopped, pedestrians stopped and men would bow their heads.
Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, writing to Lord Milner in November 1919, described the silence that fell on the city during this daily ritual, and proposed that this become an official part of the annual service on Armistice Day. The first ever two minute silence took place on the first anniversary of the Armistice on November 11th in 1919.
When is the two-minute silence? - The two-minute silence is always on Remembrance Day. The country will fall silent for 120 seconds at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month to mark the moment the armistice began. The silence will be observed at services around our area and the country, as well as in homes and on the streets of Britain.
We would like to express our sincere condolences to the families of those who have fallen fighting for our country. On this date we will be observing the two minute silence and we hope many will join us in doing so.
If you are looking to purchase a Remembrance Day Bench then get in touch with our friendly team at Memorial Benches UK 01580 201518