BRITISH ARMY SUPPORTING EDUCATION
WHY DO WE REMEMBER THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER? BRITISH ARMY SUPPORTING WHY DO WE REMEMBER EDUCATION THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER?
HOW DO WE REMEMBER THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER?
REMEMBRANCE PARADES TWO MINUTE SILENCE POPPIES
But what is the meaning behind remembrance and how has this changed over the years?
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WHY WAS THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER WHY WAS THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IN 1918? IN THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WAR?
WHY DO WE REMEMBER THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER? What is the significance and importance of the day? How has the meaning of the day changed over time?
WHY IS THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POPPY? IMPORTANT TODAY?
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PART 1: WHAT WAS THE ARMISTICE?
OBJECTIVE DISCUSSION POINT To explore the reaction to What does the word the Armistice in 1918. Armistice mean?
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The 11th of November 1918 marked the final day of fighting during the First World War. The war had begun in 1914 – four long years before.
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Soldiers from Britain and the British Empire had persevered in their fight against German forces. By 1918 the Germans were in retreat on the battlefields of France and Belgium.
© IWM (Q 3365)
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At 5.10 on the morning of 11th of November 1918, the Armistice between the Allies (essentially Britain, France and America) and Germany was signed in a railway carriage just outside Paris. For the soldiers on the frontline it came into effect at 11am.
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(SOLDIERS IN FRANCE HOW DID PEOPLE RESPOND TO THE ARMISTICE?: FIGHTING FRONT AND BELGIUM)
1. For each of these descriptions describe how that person may be ‘As far as the Armistice itself was ‘The Armistice came – the day we had ‘When it came, the Armistice was more concerned, it was kind of an anti-climax. dreamed of. The guns stopped, the fighting than a surprise – we heard about it in feeling and why. We were too far gone, too exhausted really, stopped. Four years of noise and bangs shock and disbelief. We wouldn’t believe it to enjoy it. There was no cheering – no ended in silence. We were stunned. I had until we marched into a farmyard and our 2. Extend your thinking by explaining singing. We celebrated the Armistice in been out since 1914. I should have been officer said, ‘now you and I can breathe the reasons why there would be silence and thankfulness that it was all happy – I was sad. I thought of the friends again – the war is over.’ Beyond that there different reactions. over. We were drained of all emotion.’ I had lost.’ was no emotion whatsoever. We simply went into the village and lay down. I don’t Corporal Clifford Lane, 1st Battalion, Sergeant Major Richard Tobin, think we quite got it.’ Hertfordshire Regiment Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division Private James Hewitt, Leicestershire Regiment
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HOW DID PEOPLE RESPOND TO THE ARMISTICE?: HOME FRONT (CIVILIANS BACK IN BRITAIN)
‘November 11! A day never to be forgotten! ‘We came to school this morning hardly ‘Everywhere was closed down and no more The reactions on the fighting front and Practically all work was suspended, and realising what a great day this was going work was done that day. Then the town home front were so different because... the streets became packed with people. In to be. We cheered until we were hoarse. thronged with thousands of people giving front of Buckingham Palace was one vast At 11am the guns were fired, the church vent to their feelings. It was a wonderful flock of people. When the King and Queen bells were rung. We went out into the road sight. Towards night it rained – and even appeared from time to time on the balcony and cheered. Our homework was excused that did not disperse the crowds. It was of the Palace, the enthusiasm knew no for a week.’ carried on for a week, with fireworks and bounds.’ bonfires in the Square.’ Olive Wells, aged 13, Frederick Robinson, Attending Streatham High School, Marie Pankhurst, A civilian in London London Civilian
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PART 2: WHO WAS THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR?
OBJECTIVE DISCUSSION POINT To understand the Have you ever heard meaning behind the of the Tomb of the burial of the Unknown Unknown Warrior? Warrior. Does anyone know where he is buried?
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Westminster Abbey is probably the most famous church in Britain. It is located right next to the Houses of Parliament in the centre of London.
It contains the tombs of many famous kings and queens from English history.
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In 1920 an unknown soldier from the First World THE INSCRIPTION ON HIS GRAVE READS: War was buried at Westminster Abbey. BENEATH THIS STONE RESTS THE BODY OF A BRITISH WARRIOR UNKNOWN BY NAME OR RANK BROUGHT FROM FRANCE TO LIE AMONG THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS OF THE LAND AND BURIED HERE ON ARMISTICE DAY 11 NOV: 1920, IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V HIS MINISTERS OF STATE THE CHIEFS OF HIS FORCES AND A VAST CONCOURSE OF THE NATION
THUS ARE COMMEMORATED THE MANY MULTITUDES WHO DURING THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1918 GAVE THE MOST THAT MAN CAN GIVE LIFE ITSELF FOR GOD FOR KING AND COUNTRY FOR LOVED ONES HOME AND EMPIRE FOR THE SACRED CAUSE OF JUSTICE AND THE FREEDOM OF THE WORLD THEY BURIED HIM AMONG THE KINGS BECAUSE HE HAD DONE GOOD TOWARD GOD AND TOWARD HIS HOUSE
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Unknown soldiers were soldiers buried without anyone knowing who they were. Unfortunately this happened a lot during the First World War as much fighting took place on the same battlefields and temporary grave markers were often lost. There are many graves in France and Belgium today which still hold unknown soldiers.
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A huge amount of thought and detail went into the burial of the Unknown Warrior. The story itself can reveal a lot about his significance to people at the time of his burial in 1920.
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WHAT WAS THE STORY OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR?
For each part of the Unknown Warrior story explain the meaning behind that aspect of the journey.
7th November 1920: Choosing the Soldier 8th November 1920: Journey Through France Morning, 9th November Six bodies of unknown soldiers were exhumed (removed from The Unknown Warrior was escorted by soldiers to Boulogne in The Unknown Warrior was transferred to a coffin made from the ground). They had been taken from six different battlefields the North of France. French soldiers lined the streets throughout oak timber from the trees of Hampton Court Palace. A medieval in France. They were all brought to the same chapel near Arras the journey. The Warrior then remained overnight at the sword, chosen by the King personally from the royal collection, in France. medieval castle in Boulogne with a guard of French soldiers was placed in the coffin with him. keeping vigil through the night. The remains were then placed in six plain coffins each covered WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COFFIN AND THE SWORD? by Union Flags. Two officers (senior soldiers) entered the chapel. They had no knowledge of where the bodies were from. WHY WERE THE FRENCH INVOLVED?
One of the officers, Brigadier Wyatt, closed eyes rested his hand on one of the coffins. This soldier became the Unknown Warrior. The other soldiers were taken away for reburial.
WHY GO TO SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE BODIES?
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WHAT WAS THE STORY OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR?
For each part of the Unknown Warrior story explain the meaning behind that aspect of the journey.
Afternoon, 9th November 1920: Depart From France 10th November 1920: Journey Across England 11th November 1920: The Burial 1000 local schoolchildren and over 10,000 French soldiers led The Unknown Warrior landed in Dover. He was loaded on to a On the morning of 11th November 1920, the casket (coffin) a procession to the docks at Boulogne. At noon the Unknown single railway carriage at Dover. The train made its way up to was placed onto a gun carriage of the Royal Horse Artillery and Warrior was then loaded on to a British battleship called HMS Victoria Station in London. The train arrived that evening and drawn by six horses through immense and silent crowds. Verdun for the journey to England. Six battleships provided an the body lay there overnight. When the coffin arrived at Westminster Abbey one hundred escort to Dover. recipients of the Victoria Cross (Britain’s highest award for military bravery) formed an escort for the coffin.
WHY DID THEY NOT USE AN ORDINARY SHIP? WHY A SINGLE RAILWAY CARRIAGE? The guests of honour at the Abbey were one hundred women who had lost their husbands or sons in the war. The coffin was buried in the Abbey. Over the next days tens of thousand of mourners silently walked past to pay their respects.
WHAT SORT OF FUNERAL DOES THIS REMIND YOU OF?
WHY DID THEY INVITE THE MOTHERS AND WIVES?
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PART 3: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE CENOTAPH?
OBJECTIVE DISCUSSION POINT To understand the links Have you ever heard between the Cenotaph of the Cenotaph? and the reasons behind remembrance
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Every year on the Sunday closest to the 11th of November, the Remembrance Sunday parade is held in London.
This event sees politicians, members of the Royal Family, the armed forces and the public come together to commemorate the loyalty of soldiers lost in conflict.
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The entire ceremony is focused around a large white memorial known as the Cenotaph.
It was built in 1920 to commemorate the First World War and was unveiled on the 11th of November.
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WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE CENOTAPH?
Pick two different coloured pencils, use one for each theme and shade the eleven different text boxes below, according to the theme you think they most closely relate to. Each box details a different aspect of the Cenotaph’s design and story.
THEME 1: COMMEMORATING THEME 2: MOURNING THE The architect Edward Lutyens designed the Cenotaph. VICTORY AND THANKING DEAD AND REMEMBERING On the 11th of November every year since 1920 a two SOLDIERS FOR THEIR LOYALTY THOSE LOST He also designed many cemeteries in France and minute silence has been held at the Cenotaph. Belgium and memorials in the UK.
The Cenotaph is at the heart of central London outside the Prime Minister’s home at 10 Downing Street. Cenotaph literally means ‘empty tomb’ in Greek. If the Prime Minister ever has to declare war they have to walk past the Cenotaph as a reminder of the importance of their decision.
The Cenotaph had originally been a wooden structure built for the London Victory Parade of 1919. Hundreds The flags of the British Army, Royal Navy and the of people left flowers at the memorial in the weeks Royal Air Force continuously fly at the Cenotaph. after the unveiling. The memorial was so popular it was decided to make it permanent in 1920. The words on the Cenotaph read ‘The Glorious Dead’.
The monument was saluted by the victorious allied The Cenotaph is built from Portland stone. This white commanders of Foch, Haig and Pershing at the coloured stone is exactly the same type of stone used unveiling in 1919. for creating headstones in the war cemeteries of France and Belgium.
On the 11th of November every year since 1920 People place poppy wreaths at the Cenotaph in soldiers parade at the Cenotaph. memory of the dead.
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PART 4: HOW DO WE REMEMBER NOW?
OBJECTIVE DISCUSSION POINT To understand the What ways do people meaning of remembrance commemorate the in the modern age. 11th of November today?
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Today remembrance has moved on from some of the more traditional forms from after the First World War.
The 11th of November has also become an opportunity to remember the British soldiers lost in all conflicts since 1918.
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HOW DO WE REMEMBER? 1. On the 1st of July 2016 actors 2. On the 4th of August 2014 lights 3. In 2016 an art display was set 1. Match the images with the written dressed as soldiers appeared were turned off across Britain to up showing ‘weeping poppies’ descriptions of the different forms in public spaces to mark the mark the start of the First World cascading down the sides of of remembrance detailed here by placing a number next to each Battle of the Somme. The art War 100 years before. important buildings. It toured image. project was known as ‘We’re here various locations around the because we’re here’. country. 2. Once you’ve done this place the numbers in the table according to whether you think they are traditional, modern forms of 4. Local communities and schools 5. A two minute silence is held in 6. In 2017 the film Journey’s End remembrance, or both. often run trips to the battlefields workplaces, schools and public was released. This film was based of France and Belgium to visit places at 11am on the 11th of on the 1928 play written by R.C. the cemeteries of soldiers who November. This provides time to Sherriff. It tells the story of soldiers never returned home. reflect on the losses. waiting for an attack in 1917.
7. The Imperial War Museum in 8. In 2018 the English National 9. On Remembrance Sunday a major London opened a new gallery Ballet put on a performance of a parade takes place in London at dedicated to the First World War. piece called ‘Lest We Forget’. To the Cenotaph. This televised live The museum was originally mark the centenary of the First on the BBC and involves members opened in 1917 to mark the war. World War. of the Royal Family.
10. Between 2014 and 2018 a number 11. In towns and villages across the 12. Extension – can you think of of ships from the time of the First United Kingdom parades are another way? World War were painted in ‘dazzle’ held on the Sunday closest to patterns inspired by the camouflage Remembrance Sunday. used during the war.
Traditional – forms of remembrance Modern – forms of remembrance Both – forms of modern which have continued since around which use modern techniques to remembrance which reimagine the time the First World War ended remember the loyalty and sacrifice of traditional forms of remembrance. in 1918. the soldiers who fought.
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DISCUSSION Out of all the examples on the list what do you think is the most powerful means of remembering the First World War and why?
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