National Remembrance Gardens leads the nation in commemorating Armistice Day

The Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens, in Staffordshire, today led the nation in commemorating Armistice Day. A service on the Armed Forces Memorial was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester alongside hundreds of members of the Armed Forces community and members of the public.

At 11am, those gathered on the Armed Forces Memorial joined people across the country in observing the national two-minute silence, pausing to remember all those who have lost their lives in service and to reflect on the contributions of everyone who has served and continues to serve.

The service was led by Squadron Leader Mandeep Kaur MBE, RAF Sikh Chaplain to the British Armed Forces, and Reverend Clare Callanan, a retired Army Chaplain and Chaplain to the Afghanistan Veterans Community.

Alongside the traditional Act of Remembrance, the service featured contemporary perspectives on service and sacrifice, with performances from the Band of the Coldstream Guards, Black Voices, the Gardens’ Poet in Residence and participants in RBL’s Talent in the Ranks artist development programme.

Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion, said: “Remembrance is deeply personal and each of us has our own way of remembering.  Armistice Day gives us a shared moment to come together as a nation to reflect and remember. At 11am we paused as one to give thanks to all who have served and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Armistice Day has expanded beyond its roots in the First World War. From the Second World War to Iraq and Afghanistan, every generation has its own stories of service and sacrifice that deserve to be remembered on this day.

“Those stories are not limited to those who wear a uniform. When someone serves, their family serves too and their contributions and sacrifices should also be remembered.

“This is why Remembrance matters all year round. Our work at the National Remembrance Gardens ensures that stories of camaraderie, heroism, resilience, selfless bravery and care are preserved and passed on to future generations.”