Remembrance Sunday

What is Remembrance Sunday?

It is held in the UK as a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two world wars and later conflicts.

When is Remembrance Sunday?

It is held at 11am on the second Sunday of November. This is the Sunday which is closest to the 11th of November, known as Armistice Day, which is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War in 1918. This year Remembrance Sunday falls on the 14th November 2021.

What takes place on Remembrance Sunday?

In most places across the UK, people take the opportunity to hold ceremonies at local war memorials. These ceremonies are often attended by civic dignitaries, ex-service men and women, many of which are part of the Royal British Legion. Also in attendance are often members of the local armed forces, military cadet forces, and youth organisations such as individuals from The Scout Association and The Guide Association.

What happens at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony?

Wreaths of remembrance poppies are often laid on the war memorials and a two-minutes’ silence is held at 11am to allow people to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict.

A two-minute silence is also observed on Remembrance Day (Armistice Day – 11th November) as the silence conincides with the time in 1918 when the hostilities of the First World War ended.

How do I observe the silence?

The Royal British Legion recommends this order of observance:

  1. At 11am, the Last Post is played*
  2. The exhortation is then read**
  3. The Two Minute Silence then begins
  4. The end of the silence is signalled by playing The Rouse***

*The Last Post is a bugle call which is used to commemmerate those who have lost their lives in war – it can be heard here.

**The exhortation is an excerpt from the Ode of Remembrance – “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. “Response: “We will remember them.”

***The Rouse is a bugal call which gives implied hope that there will be a day when the living and the dead arise together.

What is the meaning of the Remembrance Poppy?

The poppy is often worn to commemorate military personnel who died in the war.

The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope, including hope for a positive future and peaceful world.

The Royal British Legion

The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, during the period of Remembrance. Poppies are sold in different styles online, and can be found out and about in shops and little stalls in public places – the proceeds go towards funding the Royal British Legion’s ongoing work in supporting the Armed Forces community, serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.

The poppy is used as a symbol due to its growth in the badly damaged land during the war – the poem by John McCrae “In Flanders Fields” inspired the use of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance. The poem can be found here.

Where can I attend Remembrance Sunday in Lincoln?

A Service of Remembrance will take place at Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 14th November, starting at 10:40am – the annual service is in remembrance of those who have given their lives or suffered in the course of human conflict.

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