The nation fell silent yesterday at 11am, for two minutes, to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One. The two minute silence was observed on Remembrance Sunday to honour the contribution of the British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women.
Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, the Sunday nearest to 11 November; the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War. Wreaths of remembrance poppies are laid on the memorials and two minutes’ silence is held at 11 a.m. Church bells are usually rung half-muffled, creating a sombre effect.
This year the two-minute silence was observed before the monarch laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in central London. In Afghanistan Prince Harry joined troops in Kandahar and laid a wreath with them. As well as it being the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One it was also 70 years since the D-Day landings, and the year Britain ended its combat role in Afghanistan after 13 years of fighting.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the anniversaries made the commemorations “particularly poignant”.
Across Britain Remembrance Sunday is marked by ceremonies at local war memorials in most cities, towns and villages, attended by civic dignitaries, ex-servicemen and women. Not only in Britain, but people across the globe also celebrated and honoured the civilian servicemen and women, with ceremonies and heartfelt messages.
