Remembrance Sunday
The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. The poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour being an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled during the war.
The poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, was written in 1915 by Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae. This poem is considered as one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is considered that Major John McCrae began the draft for his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ on the evening of 2nd May 1915, in the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres.
Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives, during all conflicts, for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. And for the living left behind and deeply affected by the conflict.
North Tawton community members gathered in The Square, at 10.30am, on Sunday 10th November 2013, to take part in the Remembrance Parade – led with standards by the North Tawton Branch of The Royal British Legion, and various uniformed organisations. The parade made its way to St Peter’s Church for a memorial service led by Reverend Nick Weldon and Reverend Philip Wagstaff. The commemoration concluded with the laying of wreaths in North Tawton Cemetery.
Armistice Day
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One.
The First Official Armistice Day commemoration was held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace on the morning of November 11th 1919.
The anniversary of the World War One armistice, signed 95 years ago, was duly marked in the UK with a two-minute silence held on Monday 11th November 2013.
In North Tawton, the community gathered in The Square whilst members of North Tawton Branch of The Royal British Legion solemnly prepared to set the boom for 11.00am when The Last Post resounded followed by 2 minutes of silence for respectful reflection, concluding with The Reveille.