Remembrance Day - Written by Katie Akers
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month an armistice was signed between the allies and Germany. This armistice bought an end to one of the bloodiest wars Europe and indeed the world had ever seen – there were over 38 million military and civilian casualties and deaths world-wide. The “Great War” as it was dubbed was meant to be the war that ended all wars, sadly we now know this was untrue. It is customary to hold a two-minute silence on the anniversary of this date, in remembrance of all those who died in battle fighting for our freedom, specifically but not limited to World War I.
In the weeks leading up to this date the people of Britain and of the Commonwealth countries, from the Queen of England to students like me, don a poppy as a mark of not only respect but of remembrance. Flanders Fields is an area of land on the border of France and Belgium and it was one of the main battlefields in the Great War and the site where many young men died. Once the war ended thousands of poppies grew hence the tradition of wearing a poppy. In Britain, the proceeds from the sale of poppies are used by the Royal British Legion, a charity which aims to care and campaign for the Armed Forces and their families.
At Bromsgrove, remembrance is no different to anywhere else in Britain and the Commonwealth. At 11 o’clock on the 11th day of November, which was a Friday this year, there was a two-minute and a small CCF parade. The headmaster and the Reverend each said a few words and then a two-minute silence was held, the “Last Post” was played to mark the beginning of the silence and it was ended with the sounding of the “Reveille.”
On the Sunday after the 11th there are remembrance services across the U.K. in churches and at cenotaphs alike, to mark the occasion. This Sunday there were two services in order to accommodate the whole school and some of their parents who also attended. During the service there was a larger CCF parade, hymns of remembrance were sung, poppy wreaths were laid at the alter and there was another two-minute silence, which like the silence on Friday was preceded by the sounding of the “Last Post” and proceeded by the playing of the “Reveille.” Prior to the silence the headmaster quoted from “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon (this is normally quoted in remembrance services.) I think these sentiments sum up the war and are extremely profound:
“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.”
The Headmaster spoke of the immense fear and sadness the young men must have felt going into battle, World War I was a war of attrition – it was essentially a stalemate, call to battle almost certainly meant no return. Many of the young men were just leaving school, thus they were similar in age as present 6th form students at 老王射区– too young to be faced with the prospect of death. The headmaster also spoke of the despair the mothers of the soldiers must have felt knowing their sons were in battle. World War I affected everyone, not only the men going into battle but their families and friends who stayed behind and made up the home front.
Whether you are religious or agree with the political situation in today’s world it should not matter when it comes to remembrance. We should all reflect upon the sacrifices that were made by the brave people of the past that have enabled us to lead the that lives we do. We should all also be very grateful for the privilege lives we lead and the fact that most of us do not go to bed every night worrying about our fathers, brothers, sons and friends going to war. It is so easy to complain and take things for granted – I myself am guilty of this – but it is important to remember just exactly what we have and how lucky we are. Similarly, the events of World War I and II should inspire us to strive for a better and brighter future.
- Katie Akers