We will remember them: Britain falls silent to honour the millions of war dead this Armistice Day

  • Services are being held across the country for the yearly commemoration of the end of the First World War
  • Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are attending the National Memorial Arboretum Armistice Day Service 
  • In Edinburgh, the city’s depute lord provost, councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, gathered with veterans

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Britain fell silent today to mark Armistice Day – a moment made especially poignant by the sacrifices still being made by Ukrainians battling Vladimir Putin‘s bloody invasion. 

Services are being held across the country for the anniversary of the end of the First World War, and a two-minute silence was observed at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts.

In London, Big Ben rang 11 times to mark the occasion after being largely silent for five years due to repairs. 

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are attending the National Memorial Arboretum Armistice Day Service in Staffordshire and services are also being held in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Portsmouth.

In Edinburgh, the city’s depute lord provost, councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, gathered with veterans, serving personnel and the public to pay tribute at the city’s Garden of Remembrance.

Veterans, dignitaries and members of the public fall silence for two minutes at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London to mark Armistice Day

Veterans, dignitaries and members of the public fall silence for two minutes at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London to mark Armistice Day 

Flag bearers, veterans and members of the public observe a two minute silence in Guildhall Square, Portsmouth

Flag bearers, veterans and members of the public observe a two minute silence in Guildhall Square, Portsmouth

Veterans and members of the public gather at Guildhall Square in Portsmouth to mark Armistice Day

Veterans and members of the public gather at Guildhall Square in Portsmouth to mark Armistice Day 

Army veteran Tony Matthews reads names on the Armed Forces Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire

Army veteran Tony Matthews reads names on the Armed Forces Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire

The Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey yesterday. The country fell silent at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts

The Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey yesterday. The country fell silent at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts 

Hundreds of wooden crosses bearing poppies have been set up on the green outside Westminster Abbey, as seen in this photo taken yesterday

Hundreds of wooden crosses bearing poppies have been set up on the green outside Westminster Abbey, as seen in this photo taken yesterday 

Farmers Fay and Abigail Johnson, from Great Easton, Leicestershire, have painted a poppy design on 11 of their ewes to mark Armistice Day

Farmers Fay and Abigail Johnson, from Great Easton, Leicestershire, have painted a poppy design on 11 of their ewes to mark Armistice Day 

The sheep are due to stay in their field this weekend, so they can be seen by people attending church services

The sheep are due to stay in their field this weekend, so they can be seen by people attending church services

The short open-air service led by Legion Scotland National Padre Rev Dr Karen Campbell will be followed by the laying of wreaths before the One O’Clock Gun fires at 11am from Edinburgh Castle.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is attending a remembrance service hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer marked the moment at Euston Station, in central London. 

Mr Cleverly said: ‘Since 1918 we have marked Armistice Day and paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served to give us peace.

‘Yet as we salute our troops this year, this peace has been shattered by a Russian aggressor. As we honour the war dead of the past, we also remember Ukraine’s fight for freedom today.

‘The UK stands steadfast with our friends and allies in defence of freedom and democracy in Ukraine and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with an historic ally in Paris today.’

Mr Cleverly will also meet with French foreign minister Catherine Colonna.

They are expected to discuss the two countries’ support for Ukraine, joint work to improve energy security and illegal migration, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.

They will also discuss preparations for next year’s UK-France summit, it added.

The Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne to end the First World War in 1918.

Services will be held across the country for the anniversary of the end of the First World War and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts

Services will be held across the country for the anniversary of the end of the First World War and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts

The Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne to end the First World War in 1918

The Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne to end the First World War in 1918



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