Coventry’s Remembrance Sunday Ceremony. Celebrating Fallen Soldiers.

Coventry City Counci's Remembrance Service went off without any issues yesterday, as the tribute at the War Memorial Park commemorated the contribution of all British and Commonwealth soldiers and civil servicemen and women who died in service during World War One and World War Two, as well as all later conflicts.

Former and current soldiers, servicemen and servicewomen paying their respects

Why do we hold Remembrance Sunday?

In the autumn of 1918, Germany was facing an unavoidable collapse after four years of dogged trench warfare. With gains lost, soldiers deserting and allies crumbling German forces began preparations for an unconditional surrender.

At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the armistice came into effect after a week after being signed, signifying the end of World War One.

The following year, the monarch of the time, King George V, asked the public to observe a two-minute silence beginning at 11 am to honour the lives lost. It became known as Armistice Day, which later evolved into Remembrance Day to include those who died in later conflicts.

The UK holds both Remembrance Day and Sunday (on the second Sunday of November) to ensure everyone has the chance to show their respect for soldiers who have passed away and those in service to the military.

A memorial at the War Memorial Park for a fallen World War One soldier

Conducted by the Bishop of Coventry, Sophie Jelley, the service opened at 10:30 with solemn music played by the City of Coventry Brass Band until the arrival of the parade fifteen minutes later, subsequently followed by the Bishop's introduction and an exhortation recited by ex-serviceman Jim Ramsey. The 11 am 2-minute silence was then held across the nation.

In attendance as well were Coventry MPs Taiwo Owatemi and Zarah Sultana, who began placing wreaths down at the War Memorial tower near the beginning of the ceremony.

Following on from this, hymns were sung, Bible verses were quoted, prayers were held and the memorial began its conclusion with the laying of the wreaths, with the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Rachel Lancaster, laying down the Civic Wreath with other wreaths being laid by volunteers, prior servicemen and women and more, whilst 'O Valiant Hearts' was sung by a choir, which the attendees were invited to participate in singing.

Speaking to Air Cadet Trainer Ben Brooks-Johnson, he had this to say about the ceremony. “I think it’s great”, he said, “I think that remembering everyone, no matter where they were from, who fought for this country is the bare minimum of what we should be doing as a nation to honour those fallen soldiers”

Back in 2021, the commonwealth had to apologise for not previously honouring the hundreds of thousands of Black and Asian troops who fought alongside the British soldiers in the trenches. This was known about in the public consciousness for many years, and there were frequent pushes to get all men who fought for the British Empire recognised for their bravery during World War I.

An investigation by the CWGC, published days before this apology, discovered that between 116,000 and 350,000 predominantly black or Middle Eastern First World War casualties may not be commemorated by name or at all, with an additional 50,000 honoured "unequally".

This year, it seems that the UK has learned from its mistakes and amended its ways with representatives from all nations who fought in the war alongside England to commemorate the brave men who died protecting us.

Written by Joseph Banks