After millions of people were made to return home by Covid rules last year, today’s Armistice Day silence was led by the Duchess Cornwall.
Now that restrictions have been lifted, all citizens can observe the 2-minute silence at 11am.
Every year, the silence of two minutes marks the close of the four-year-old conflict in 1918. It was here that Germany and the Allies reached an agreement ‘on or about the eleventh hour of each day of the eleventh month’.
Camilla visited Westminster Abbey at the 93rd Field of Remembrance as a way to honor her.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visits Westminster’s Field of Remembrance for an Armistice Day Commemoration
Camilla bows at the end of the two minute silence at 11:01 AM to commemorate Armistice Day. This is on the eleventh hour of 11th day.
England’s Harry Maguire and Aaron Ramsdale (left to right) observe silence in honor of Armistice Day
A broader view of the England squad falling silent during training at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent
On Armistice Day in Britain, millions of people across the nation will attend a service at The Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Cop26 President Alok Sharma (front left) and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon observe a two minute silence in the UK Pavilion at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow
Commuters in London come to a halt at Waterloo Station as they pay respects for Armistice Day
Railway workers dressed in high-vis jackets joined them in marking this moment and stopping their work.
LNER commuters and staff at Newcastle Central Station observe silence for one minute at 11am on Armistice Day
People stand before observing a two minute silence at the Armed Forces Memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, Staffordshire
Officers from the police force observe a two-minute silence at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, where the Cop26 summit is taking place.
A single gun from Edinburgh Castle will also be used to fire at local officials before members of Armed Forces join them in laying wreaths at Scott Monument.
In London hundreds of wreaths will be transported from the UK to stations across London as part of The Veterans Charity’s Routes of Remembrance and Poppies To Paddington campaigns.
A wreath from the UK has already been toured and it will continue to make its way along the Thames today before it is carried upboard HMS Belfast, an surviving Second World War Navy warship, and then taken to the Tower of London.
Labour leader Sir Keir starmer paid tribute, ahead of Armistice Day.
Camilla is the patron of Poppy Factory and can be seen at Westminster Abbey, Field of Remembrance. The event is held on Westminster Abbey’s grounds since November 1928.
Camilla was the highest-ranking royal present at the ceremony. Similar events were held in other cities and towns throughout the country.
Chelsea Pensioner inspects tributes outside Westminster Abbey as Veterans and Representatives from the Armed Forces meet.
A ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, where veterans gathered. In this year’s 93rd Field of Remembrance, veterans will gather before a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Len Honey, an 83-year old veteran of military police is wheeled in his wheelchair. Veterans and representatives from Armed Forces are waiting for the commencement.
He stated that in a year when British forces showed remarkable courage to rescue lives during the evacuation of Kabul, it was important to show our gratitude for all you did and continue doing to protect us.
“As each year goes by, we move one step closer to the wars that erupted in the past century, where the armed forces and the people who maintained the fires at home, gave so much.
“Remembrance is always a humble time of year. Because I think, as do all Americans, about how our country and way of living, and our democratic system, were hard won by the UK, and allies through life-altering, life-changing sacrifices, so that we may enjoy every moment of freedom.
“We will always remember them.”
1st Battalion of The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment march through the streets of Liverpool to Our Lady & Saint Nicholas Church before observing a two minute silence to remember the war dead on Armistice Day
A parade was held in Liverpool, England (pictured), as part of an array of events taking place throughout the country to commemorate Armistice Day.
The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment is the Infantry Regiment of the North West of England and has the motto ‘Lions of England’
The Queen is the Duke of Lancaster. It does not change based on the gender of the monarch.
As soldiers marched through Liverpool, the streets were closed for traffic today to make it possible to see their rearview.
Onlookers watched on as members of the 1st Battalion of The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment walked to Our Lady & Saint Nicholas Church in Liverpool
Red for Remembrance – The Duchess and Duke of Cornwall adds one final flower to Prince Charles’ wreath at The Cenotaph when he visits The Poppy Factory.
MailOnline by Harriet Johnston
After complimenting a veteran in a kilt, the Duchess of Cornwall put the final touches to an Armistice Day Remembrance Wreath.
Camilla, who is patron of The Poppy Factory, visited the charity’s new facilities in Richmond-upon-Thames, south-west London, on Tuesday and added a final poppy to the wreath her husband – the Prince of Wales – will lay at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
She wore a Bruce Oldfield crepe dress in red wool crepe. A Remembrance cross she made was also created by her. This will be placed at Westminster Abbey’s Field of Remembrance on Thursday, to commemorate Armistice Day. It is the date in 1918 that the peace treaty to end the First World War.
Before putting finishing touches on a Remembrance wreath, the Duchess Of Cornwall complimented an armistice day veteran wearing a kilt.
Camilla, who is patron of The Poppy Factory, visited the charity’s new facilities in Richmond-upon-Thames, south-west London, on Tuesday
The royal added a final poppy to the wreath her husband – the Prince of Wales – will lay at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday
Camilla stood in front of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and talked to Kris Darling who wore a navy kilt while serving with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards of Afghanistan in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
According to the 43-year-old, Ravens Halls is a veteran group in Gosport.
The duchess of Cambridge was welcomed by George Forbes, 62, who worked all year to create 120,000 regimental and royal wreaths. Forbes is The Poppy Factory’s longest-serving employee.
Camilla commented: It is your 43rd anniversary my goodness me. You know everything about the area.
The Poppy Factory’s longest-serving employee, George Forbes (62 years old), worked year-round to produce 120,000 wreaths for royal and regimental occasions. Forbes was the guest of honor.
As she arrived for the engagement, The Duchess chose a bright red dress that she had chosen. She teamed it with black leather gloves as well as a cape.
She also had a conversation with the royal wreathmakers during her outing to London today, ahead of Remembrance Sunday
She shook hands with Mr Forbes, whose father was a member of the RAF during the Second World War, and told her he could make five wreaths in an hour from 28 poppies.
The duchess spoke with Peter Wills and Paul Hammerton, deaf specialists in royal wreath making – and had an interpreter. She said that they made a beautiful wreath before adding the last poppy. They were applauded.
Andrew Jones, a 44-year old RAF veteran who served 14 years, shook hands with The Duchess. He described how he found himself in a very dark place’ prior to receiving support from The Poppy Factory.
A petal was added to the custom made cross by the duchess, adorned in her royal crest. This will be laid at the opening of 93rd Field of Remembrance with the other 70,000.
Camilla revealed a plaque made of stone to mark the centenary of The Poppy Factory in 2022.
A petal was added to the custom-made poppy cross by the Duchess of Cornwall adorned in her royal crest. This will be laid at the opening of 93rd Field of Remembrance with the other 70,000.
Andrew Jones, a 44-year old RAF veteran who served 14 years, shook hands with The Duchess. He described how he found himself in a very dark place’ prior to receiving support from The Poppy Factory.
The Duchess chose to dress her brunette locks with a soft low hairstyle for this occasion. She also opted for a shimmering red poppy pin.
She seemed to be in good spirits throughout the earlier visit to the organization, and was willing to talk to wreath-makers.
She continued, “I think you do such a great job and we should take good care of our veterans after they have served this country.”
Camilla will lay her cross in front of the Last Post at Thursday’s service. This will precede a two minute silence.
As a tribute to tradition, and in keeping with the steps of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s footsteps, the Duchess of Cornwall will then place flowers at Grave of Unknown Warrior.
It comes amid a busy period for the Duchess, who yesterday posed with care home residents and children at the Royal Geographical Society in London today.
Paul Hammerton and Peter Wills, both deaf-skilled royal wreath maker specialists, were joined by the Duchess of Cambridge. Peter Wills was accompanied with an interpreter.
Camilla, along with the other royal wreath-makers, added the last poppy to wreath. She was applauded for her efforts.
Camilla will cross her body before the Last Post, which will be sounded moments before a silence of two minutes at the service.
As a tribute to tradition and following the lead of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s footsteps, the Duchess of Cornwall will then place flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior
Camilla chatted with the staff today while she was out shopping for poppies
Camilla, accompanied by her two children chefs for the ‘Poetry Together’ recital and tea party, was seen cutting Victoria Sponge cakes.
Camilla took a page from the Queen and wore a brooch in gold on her checked blue blazer. She paired it with a maxi black skirt that was pleated.
This comes just weeks after the Duchess visited West Sussex’s set of ITV Grace earlier in the month.
Camilla was at Shoreham-by-Sea to meet the cast and star crew. John Simm plays the troubled Brighton Policeman. Peter James is the author of the popular Roy Grace series.
Last week, she was joined by Prince Charles in Glasgow for the Cop26 summit. At which Prince Charles demanded that a military-style campaign be launched to mobilize billions of dollars from the private sector to save our planet.
The Duke of Cornwall stated that the pandemic showed the world how ‘timelines could be sped-up dramatically’ if everyone agrees on the urgent and specific direction.
First time revealed: British Tommies’ deeply felt letters from home to the Trenches during WWI include requests for food and supplies… as well as a poignant last farewell.
Harry Howard is the History Correspondent at MailOnline
The letters cover everything from heartbreaking goodbyes to sweet requests from home to request food or sweet treats, and show the terrible and horrifying conditions that the Trenches faced during World War I.
Written by British soldiers during the 1914-18 conflict, the previously unpublished communications, as well as images of the men who wrote them, feature in Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, which is published by Pen & Sword.
The letter is by Charles Alderton (second lieutenant) from Clerkenwell in London. He wrote it to his sisters, mother and father in March 1917, to inform them that he was being called to the ‘greatest price’.
After exhorting them not to be grieving or show signs of loss, he offered to lift their spirits and said that they could “rest assured” that he’s “always happy until the last”.
Alderton survived another eight months. However, Second Lieutenant Alderton died leading his men in the Battle of Cambrai. He was 21,
Private Philip Luxton wrote in June 1915 his loving wife to inform her that he could’t take his children and him out of her sight.
He said, movingly: “I wish that this horrible war would be over.” Private Luxton died in machine gun fire the same year, and his remains were never discovered.
Private Tom Fake also wrote another letter in which he described how the men were struggling to eat their boring army rations and asked that comfort food be shipped from home.
He told his wife that the “cake and biscuits” he sent had become “a lot of crumbs”, while the “chocolate had been crushed” and the French nougat had tasted like “some sausages.”
New book Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, reveals the words which British soldiers sent home from the trenches during the First World War. Above: Among the letters is one by Second Lieutenant Charles Alderton, from Clerkenwell, London, who wrote to his mother, father and sisters in March 1917 to tell them that he had been called to make the ‘greatest sacrifice’
Ms Wadsworth describes in her book Second Lieutenant Alderton’s excitement at the prospect of fighting and how he, just like so many young men before him, “couldn’t delay” getting to the Front.
However, Second Lieutenant Alderton wrote to his family March 6 to express his belief that his life would soon end.
He stated, “By the time that you read this, I will have been called to make the greatest sacrifice with many other people and taken my final long leave.”
“I do not want you to feel pain or grieve, but I did what others did.
My only wish is for this war for the British Troops to succeed for my safety and wellbeing.
‘I can never tell you how thankful I am for the happy home and the comforts I have received from you all … You can rest assured that even up to the very last Charlie was always cheerful.
“I’m sorry it is hard, but try to be positive and joyful about the end. I then go out and search for a new home that will provide comfort and support to those who have lost their breadwinners.
Private Philip Luxton was a loving father who wrote his beloved wife in June 1915 to inform her that he could not ‘put your and the children out my sight’. He said, “I wish this terrible war was over” with a moving statement. Private Luxton, who was also killed in machine gun fire, was shot that year. His body was not found.
“With love to everyone and don’t grieve Charlie.”
Alderton, Second Lieutenant was killed as he led his troops in an attack behind tanks that were being used for the first-time in large numbers.
A captain from the Royal Army Medical Corps sent his parents a touching letter in December. It was a few weeks later that his family received his news of his death.
Arthur Youell, a soldier asked about flea killer
‘Two stretcher bearers of ‘C’ company carried your son back … One of them Pte Easton told me that Mr Alderton had no pain, was very quiet and complained only of his hands being cold.
“The bearers lower the stretcher several more times so that he could rub his hands. He said nothing more, as far as I know.
Pte Alex Easton C Coy (both very well-known men) and Pte H Murray C Coy are the names of their bearers.
“Your son was a remarkable soldier who is eager to do the right thing. Personally, I was proud to have been a part of this friendship and I am sorry for your loss.
I can just imagine the joy you’ll feel when you lose his warm, cheerful presence. His death was so that other people might live.
“You’ll always remember this touching, but still comforting thought about dreary Xmastide.”
From the French trenches, Private Luxton wrote to Hannah several times. His words gave an indication of the harsh conditions in which the men lived. He said to his wife Hannah: ‘I wish you could see now, for it would be something you will never forget.
“We’re like rabbits in the ground. Fry and I are in one. They can only hold two or three men. We must stay out of daylight to avoid being shelled.”
Some letters revealed his love for his wife. One of his letters stated that he loved his wife even when he wasn’t there.
He added: ‘…when I return to you I hope I will prove it because no man loves his wife and children better than I do.’
A diary entry written in July 1919 by Archibald Dunn, a soldier, is also revealed. It reveals how war-related traumas caused men to become desensitized. The shocking sight of four men being “blown high” was what Dunn described, then he added that he “bathed in evening”. Pictured left: Dunn seen before departing for Russia, right in his helmet as an infantryman.
Youell asked his mother for some flea treatment to get rid of the “disturbers to peace”.
Alf Dowling was a German PoW prisoner for most of World War II. After his mother had written him a letter, Dowling wrote to her (right), saying: “It was great consolation getting word from home.”
He concluded the letter with the words: “I wish I were home to share one true kiss from an old Dutchman who loves you deeply.”
He wrote to Hannah again in June 1915. He stated that he could not leave Hannah and her children behind at night.
“For now, I feel very alone, as he was such a great guy. I was so shocked to hear that he had been killed.
Hannah received a letter in autumn from the Army Pay Office, describing it as a “brutal” message. It stated that Hannah’s husband was likely to have died and would not return home for Christmas.
The letter said: ‘I regret to state that information has reached this office that Pte P Luxton of the Welsh Regiment has been reported missing.
William Cole, a Soldier in the British Expeditionary Force was known for sending his children embroidered postcards. Pictured above is his wife Rosie, their children William Sidney and Rosie (right), and Ivy
Cole’s son sent one card. It depicted a British pilot flying a grey plane, while a French soldier walked brightly colored holly through the skies. The back of the card read, “Best Love and kisses to my dead Siddy from Daddy.”
“The separation allowance, allotment and pay currently being issued will continue to be available to you for a duration of 30 weeks.”
Ms Wadsworth doesn’t know the date but tells us that Private Luxton died from machine gun fire. Then, an exploding shell dug his grave, and it was not found.
The letters of Canadian medical officer Harold McGill – who served in the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance Corps – to his love interest Emma Griffis also feature in Ms Wadsworth’s book.
McGill, writing from the Western Front in October 1916, described the horrendous injuries suffered by some soldiers.
He stated that ‘My stretcher-bearer sergeant (the finest little guy in the battalion) had his leg ripped off by a bomb shell and was killed in an accident in F.Ambulance. [field ambulance]Station for dressing. He was struck. I met him afterwards.
Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, by historian Jacqueline Wadsworth, is published by Pen & Sword
“He said good-bye to me and thanked me for his efforts to finish the job.
“It was like listening to him speak like this. I felt like a child and could have easily made a fool out of myself.
“He was the last of the Calgary stretcher bearers that I took and was loved and known throughout the battalion.
His letters to Ms Griffis revealed that he was still in England and they were starting to fall for each other.
After she agreed to marry him in July 1917, he said to her, “The knowledge that I love you is very sweet, and soon we will be able start our lives together.”
“In the interim we both must ‘Carry On’.
He added, “Can you tell us what size ring you would like to wear?” I would like to get one for you as soon as possible.
“When I take my next leave, I’ll ask you for one month. We can then be quiet married and enjoy it together.
McGill survived World War II and married Ms Griffis, in England, in December 1917.
Following the war they came back to Canada, where they had two beautiful daughters. They then went on to have the rest their lives together.
Arthur Youell wrote another letter in which he revealed the severity of the unsanitary conditions found within the trenches.
Youell wrote to his mom to request that she send him more fleakillers so that he could rid the house of these ‘disturbers to peace.
Another diary entry by Archibald Dunn from July 1919 is revealed. This document explains how soldiers became deafened to war’s horrors.
After describing the horrifying sight of the four men being blown up, he said in the next paragraph that he had ‘bathed in an evening’.
Letters From The Trenches – The First World War By Those Who Were There, was published in paperback on November 8.