Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day in the UK, Armistice Day or Veterans Day in the USA) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty since World War I.
This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on (or as close as possible to) the 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice ("at the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.)
The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance of members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. This was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.
The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.
Services of remembrance in Wimbledon and Merton
Services of remembrance are a time to remember the members of the armed forces who have died on duty since World War I.
They take place each year on Armistice Day (11 November), and on Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday in November).
On Armistice Day a two-minute silence is observed at 11am across the country.
2011 events
The following Services of Remembrance will be taking place in Merton Borough this year:
Sunday 13th November
The Nelson Hospital
The Service of Remembrance will commence at 9.00 a.m.
In attendance will be The Worshipful the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Members of the Council, Civic Representatives and Health Groups. Members of the Morden and District Branch of The Royal British Legion will be in attendance.
Mitcham War Memorial
The Service of Remembrance will take place at 10.40 a.m. at the Mitcham War Memorial, at Lower Green West, Mitcham.
In attendance will be the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Members of the Council, Civic Representatives and members of local organisations. The parade will march off at 10.10 a.m. from The Royal British Legion Club, St. Mark’s Road, Mitcham, to the Mitcham War Memorial. After the Service The Deputy Lieutenant, The Rt Hon Sir John Wheeler, JP, will take the salute with The Worshipful the Mayor of Merton Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender at Lower Green West and the parade will march back to St. Mark’s Road. Members of the Mitcham Branch of The Royal British Legion will be in attendance.
Wimbledon War Memorial
The Service of Remembrance will commence at 10.40 a.m. at the Wimbledon War Memorial, Wimbledon Village.
In attendance will be The Deputy Mayor of Merton, Councillor Chris Edge, Members of the Council, Civic Representatives and members of local organisations. After the Service, the Deputy Mayor will take the salute in Wimbledon High Street. Members of the Wimbledon Branch of The Royal British Legion will be in attendance.
On arrival at the War Memorial, the Civic Party is asked to stand on the artificial turf and face the Memorial, leaving the path clear for representatives to lay their wreaths.
Friday 11th November
