Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is a day to commemorate those who gave their lives in combat in the two World Wars.
Remembrance Day takes place on the 11th day of the 11th month every year, to mark the 11th hour of November 1918 when the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare during the First World War. This anniversary is used to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in wars, including World War Two, the Falklands War, the Gulf War and conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq – paying respect to Armed Forces past and present.
We also remember all those who supported them, those who worked in munitions factories, women who took on jobs to keep their country running, the men and women of the resistance. Today, a number of professions support and work alongside the Armed Forces such as paramedics and the fire services.
Did you know, a number of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians from India (including those from modern day Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh) served in the Great Wars? 1.3 million Indian soldiers fought in World War I and 2.5 million Indian soldiers in World War II, including 600,000 Muslims. Muslim soldiers accounted for up to 40% of the British Indian Army during the war.
The West Midlands marked the event by unveiling a 10ft high ‘Lions of the Great War’ statue in Smethwick in 2018, in honour of the millions of men and women from the British Indian Army who served in the two World Wars.
Soon after the First World War started, soldiers from West Indian colonies, Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia and other African colonies joined the British Army to help support the war. The helped to defend the borders of their countries.
University of Birmingham School held a pupil led remembrance service to mark the date – a special reading by Xena, James and Patience, with Harry playing ‘The Last Post.’
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 Fallen, by Laurence Binyon.
