Nation observes two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 18:14 · Archive

The nation fell silent at 11am to mark Armistice Day, commemorating those who died in military conflicts including the First World War.

The nation fell silent at 11am to mark Armistice Day, honouring those who have died in military conflicts. Ceremonies took place across the UK, with the two-minute silence observed at locations including London's Cenotaph, the Houses of Parliament, the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, Portsmouth and Dover.

Armistice Day marks the agreement that brought an end to fighting on the Western Front in the First World War, taking effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, concluding four years of devastating conflict. This year also marked the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, a particularly brutal offensive that lasted 141 days and killed approximately one million people. The first day, 1 July, was the bloodiest, with more than 19,000 British soldiers killed—a record that remains the single bloodiest day in British military history.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord Forsyth of Drumlean led tributes at the Angel Memorial in Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament, laying wreaths alongside Massachusetts senate president Karen Spilka, who read a poem. Sir Lindsay then took part in a Turning the Page ceremony remembering Alan Scott Balfour, who died in 1918.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting attended the Western Front Association's annual ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London, joined by UK government and senior international military representatives, schoolchildren, cadets and members of the public. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester laid a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum and observed the silence. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley paid his respects at the National Police Memorial in central London.

According to outlets reporting on the events, wreaths lined the streets at the Cenotaph, and thousands gathered at various locations across the country despite rainy weather to pay their respects to the fallen.

How it is being reported

• Nation falls silent in remembrance on Armistice DayDefence Secretary Wes Streeting attended the Western Front Association’s annual ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London.Evening Standard · 11 Nov, 12:28
• Speaker and Lord Speaker lay Armistice Day wreaths as nation pays silent tributeDefence Secretary Wes Streeting attended the Western Front Association’s annual ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London.Evening Standard · 11 Nov, 11:46
• Nation falls silent for Armistice Day as royalty and commons speaker lay wreathsPoignant services took place across the nation on the anniversary of the end of the First World WarThe Independent · 11 Nov, 11:41
• London falls silent to mark Armistice Day on 110th anniversary of Battle of the SommeMillions across London and beyond pause to observe two-minute silence on Armistice DayEvening Standard · 11 Nov, 11:38
• Poignant images show the nation falling silent to mark Armistice DayArmistice Day marks the end of fighting on the Western Front in the First World WarThe Mirror · 11 Nov, 11:11
• Armistice Day: Nation falls silent to remember Britain's heroes who lost their lives to protect our freedomsThe nation has fallen silent to mark 108 years since the gunshots stopped and the World War I came to an end. November 11 marks not only a commemoration of those who gave their lives for Britain in World War I, but also the hundreds of thousands in the World War II, along with those who have served and dedicated their lives to their country since. At the Cenotaph, thousands of commemorative poppies lined the streets. Speaking to The People's Channel from Whitehall, Lady Lucy French, great granddaughter of John French, said: "Today is so fundammentally important to all of us to really…GB News · 11 Nov, 10:57

In this story: Wes Streeting · Sir Lindsay Hoyle · Lord Forsyth of Drumlean · Duke and Duchess of Gloucester · Western Front Association · Battle of the Somme · Cenotaph · National Memorial Arboretum

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