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It is the 11the hour, 11th day, 11th month
I questioned an "net" friend. who had served with the British SAS for years, what the term 11-11-11 was that he had used.
So he sent me the following explanation which I felt some of you may find interesting.
(The only thing he would tell about, other than training missions, was the war in Falklands.)
The Armistice which ended the Great War (or World War 1) was signed in France at 11:00 am on the 11th November 1918 - hence the 11th hour, 11th day,11th month.
The 11th of November in the UK is officially Armistice Day. So at 11:00 am on 11th of November, traditionally 2 minutes of silent remembrance is observed.
However, the requirements of modern business have meant, for as long as I can remember, the formal observance has been held on the nearest Sunday and is called "Remembrance Day".
In London, at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Her Majesty the Queen lays a wreath for the nation in a formal ceremony that includes wreath-laying by other members of the Royal Family, the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and leaders of the other political parties, representatives from the civilian services, and the High Commissioners of the Commonwealth countries.
This being Britain, there is a Guard of Honour representing all three Services and the Boy Scouts. Music is by the Massed Bands of the Brigade of Guards and the Royal Marines Bugle Corps.
There is a two-minute silence, wreaths are laid and the Bishop of London conducts a short service.
The final part of the ceremony is a march past the Cenotaph by veterans. This was led off on Sunday by a veteran car containing three WW1 vets, the youngest of whom was 102 years old.
Naturally, all the Regimental associations are included, there are veterans from WW2, Korea, Aden, Ulster, Malaysia, Suez, the Falklands and Desert Storm.
There are also blind & disabled ex-servicemen, the Chelsea Pensioners in their scarlet greatcoats and tricorne hats, the War Widows Association, the Far East Prisoners of War, the Burma Star, the Chindits and, bringing up the rear, the Home Guard, the Fire Brigade, the Special Constabulary, ARP wardens, London Transport, the Bevin Boys and the Land Army girls!
The massed bands played 'Tipperary', 'Pack up your troubles', 'There'll always be an England' and other old favourites.
They marched past the Cenotaph, down Whitehall onto Horse Guards Parade, where HRH the Duke of York took the salute.
Meanwhile, at civic War Memorials in cities, towns and villages all over the UK, wreaths are laid by the local officials, vicars, veterans and young children.
At a Church down the road from us, Rik (his son) carried the flag for the 13th Coventry Scouts (He was not seeking honour, it is simply because he is the strongest in the troop). at a tiny ceremony that echoed the London one.
Thus, we hope, the memory is passed from generation to generation
It is the 11the hour, 11th day, 11th month
I questioned an "net" friend. who had served with the British SAS for years, what the term 11-11-11 was that he had used.
So he sent me the following explanation which I felt some of you may find interesting.
(The only thing he would tell about, other than training missions, was the war in Falklands.)
The Armistice which ended the Great War (or World War 1) was signed in France at 11:00 am on the 11th November 1918 - hence the 11th hour, 11th day,11th month.
The 11th of November in the UK is officially Armistice Day. So at 11:00 am on 11th of November, traditionally 2 minutes of silent remembrance is observed.
However, the requirements of modern business have meant, for as long as I can remember, the formal observance has been held on the nearest Sunday and is called "Remembrance Day".
In London, at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Her Majesty the Queen lays a wreath for the nation in a formal ceremony that includes wreath-laying by other members of the Royal Family, the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and leaders of the other political parties, representatives from the civilian services, and the High Commissioners of the Commonwealth countries.
This being Britain, there is a Guard of Honour representing all three Services and the Boy Scouts. Music is by the Massed Bands of the Brigade of Guards and the Royal Marines Bugle Corps.
There is a two-minute silence, wreaths are laid and the Bishop of London conducts a short service.
The final part of the ceremony is a march past the Cenotaph by veterans. This was led off on Sunday by a veteran car containing three WW1 vets, the youngest of whom was 102 years old.
Naturally, all the Regimental associations are included, there are veterans from WW2, Korea, Aden, Ulster, Malaysia, Suez, the Falklands and Desert Storm.
There are also blind & disabled ex-servicemen, the Chelsea Pensioners in their scarlet greatcoats and tricorne hats, the War Widows Association, the Far East Prisoners of War, the Burma Star, the Chindits and, bringing up the rear, the Home Guard, the Fire Brigade, the Special Constabulary, ARP wardens, London Transport, the Bevin Boys and the Land Army girls!
The massed bands played 'Tipperary', 'Pack up your troubles', 'There'll always be an England' and other old favourites.
They marched past the Cenotaph, down Whitehall onto Horse Guards Parade, where HRH the Duke of York took the salute.
Meanwhile, at civic War Memorials in cities, towns and villages all over the UK, wreaths are laid by the local officials, vicars, veterans and young children.
At a Church down the road from us, Rik (his son) carried the flag for the 13th Coventry Scouts (He was not seeking honour, it is simply because he is the strongest in the troop). at a tiny ceremony that echoed the London one.
Thus, we hope, the memory is passed from generation to generation
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