Lions Led by Donkeys

WWI

The last soldiers went over the top at 4:20 am on the 11th of November 1918. The armistice was signed at 5 am in a railway carriage in the forest of companion in France. Then, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns of Europe fell silent. The great war was over. On that morning alone there were 10,944 casualties and 2,738 deaths on the Western Front. The following year, King George V issued a proclamation which called for two minute silence. “All locomotion should cease so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on the referent remembrance of the glorious dead.” Each year since then at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month the two minute silence is observed by the Royal British Legion and in Commonwealth countries remembering the end of the First World War. A million from Britain, 6 million worldwide. 

Pals battalions were recruited in World War I so men could fight alongside their friends, work colleagues and neighbours. The impact of heavy losses from these battalions can still be seen on memorials in workplaces and schools today. Whole communities lost their sons and fathers.

The body of an unknown British soldier was buried at Westminster Abbey on the 11th of November 1920. His grave commemorates the multitudes of unknown soldiers who died in the great war of 1914 to 1918. The inscription reads “they buried him among the kings because he had done good towards God and towards his house”. Around the tomb of the unknown soldier there are four Bible texts almost hidden by the way this of puppies they say “the Lord know it’s them that are his”. “Unknown and yet known well, dying and behold we live.” “In Christ all shall all be made alive”. “Greater love hath no man than this”.

Today let us remember those who have died for their country in war, those we knew, and all those who have given their lives for freedom, justice and the hope of peace. As we look forward and seek the way of peace and reconciliation, you might like to say this prayer which has been specially written for remembrance services: Strengthen our hearts, hands, and minds, to work together for peace. To see deity in one another, and to seek kindness above all else. 

The Kohima Epitaph: When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today.

Ode of Remembrance: They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. I shall not wear them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them.