Our nation is united in silent vigils
BRITAIN was united yesterday as the nation fell silent on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.
Prince Charles led the remembrance for a second year in a row, laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on the Queen’s behalf.
The monarch watched from a Foreign Office balcony, looking solemn as she reflected on the historic occasion.
Wearing five poppies, she was joined on the balconies by Kate, Meghan and Camilla, who were all dressed in black.
Princes Harry and William also proudly attended the ceremony to honour the fallen, wearing full military attire. Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laid wreaths at the foot of the Whitehall memorial.
They were joined by former prime ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and John Major for the poignant ceremony.
A host of other political heavyweights paid their respects, including Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made history by being the first person from his country to take part in the Armistice Day ceremony.
Chimed
The occasion was further marked by Big Ben, which chimed at 11 o’clock despite currently being renovated.
Thousands of marchers then left the Mall in central London in a “people’s procession”, passing the Cenotaph.
More than 10,000 people from across the country are said to have attended the sombre event.
Its end was marked by cannon fire and The Last Post played by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.
More than 16 million people lost their lives as a direct result of the Great War, while millions of others died from after-effects.
In total, there are believed to have been about 40m casualties.
Services were also held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, Glasgow Cathedral and St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
In Northampton, art teacher Sam Bailey paid tribute to those who fought in more recent conflicts.
She was so concerned about students not wearing poppies she drew all 637 British service personnel who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The teacher hopes the work will encourage her students, explaining “these soldiers need to be remembered”.
Elsewhere, a mission was launched to trace a memorial stone to the unluckiest victim of World War One.
Private Aneurin Owen Roberts is believed to have been killed by friendly fire just hours before peace was declared.
Retired mental-health worker Elfryn Jones is now trying to track down a plaque dedicated to him.
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