The Royal British Legion is recognised as the national custodian of Remembrance.
The words from Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen,” have become the focal expression of national grief and remembrance. It’s central quatrain (above) has been carved on cenotaphs and tombstones worldwide. It is recited at annual Remembrance Day commemorations and at the opening of our Royal British Legion meetings. The full poem is available HERE
The red poppy is the symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. They are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The poppy carries a wealth of history and meaning with it. Wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories. It is never compulsory but is greatly appreciated by those who it is intended to support.
But, why is the poppy the symbol of Remembrance? In the midst of the bleak and barren battlefields of Europe the bright red Flanders poppies grew. These resilient flowers flourished in the middle of so much chaos and destruction, growing in the thousands upon thousands. The Poppy inspired the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915 which, in turn, inspired the use of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance. The poem can be read HERE
Armistice Day is the 11th November. There is a short service at the Basingstoke War Memorial where the National two minutes silence is observed at 11am. The service is usually attended by civic dignitaries, Service and Branch representatives but, is open to anyone who wishes to pay their respects to the fallen.
Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside for the Nation to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. Local residents, civic chiefs and councillors join veterans and military personnel on Remembrance Sunday, at a service of Remembrance at the Basingstoke War Memorial. A parade, led by the Basingstoke & Overton Branch Standard Bearer marches from Market Place, through the Top of the Town to the War Memorial prior to the service.
People tend to associate Remembrance Sunday with the two World Wars but nothing could be further from the truth. Since the end of WW2, members of our Armed Forces have been continuously involved in conflicts or operations. There has been 32 theatres of operation for which campaign medals were awarded and, over 7000 UK armed forces personnel have died as a result of those operations. There has only been two years - 1968 & 2016 - when a member of the Armed Forces did not lose their life whilst serving on one of those operations.
