Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in London is a poignant time of reflection and solemnity, commemorating years of worldwide suffering. But this year, against the backdrop of ongoing atrocities in the Middle East, Ukraine, Yemen, and Syria, the true meaning of remembrance is brought into question. Will this year’s Armistice Day play a greater part than ever in preventing a revision of history?
The Cenotaph at Whitehall stands proudly as a cornerstone for London’s Acts of Remembrance each year, the first of which took place on Saturday, 11th November, attracting thousands of onlookers, including some more controversial attendees. Amid disruptions due to Pro-Palestinian marches, many questioned the propriety of the march’s timing, with others struck by the irony of holding an anti-war march on a day dedicated to condemning violence.
Nevertheless, the commemorative proceedings and rendition of The Last Post did not fail to move the masses, with a selection of readings, the London Scottish Pipes and Drums, and laying of wreaths. One group of fortunate attendees were a selection of pupils from St. John’s School, Leatherhead, who joined the Western Front Association in their procession to the Cenotaph, with Upper Sixth pupil, Freddie Lamy, laying a wreath on behalf of the school. The honor in their attendance was not understated by the pupils; one fellow Upper Sixth student, William Bennet, shares his thoughts: ‘It was surreal to be at such a poignant and meaningful occasion,’ with Tallulah Thompson, an Upper Fifth student at St. John’s, describing the day as a ‘profound yet somber reminder of the privileges we hold,’ with Bennet agreeing that the occasion was ‘moving and unforgettable.’
The opportunity for the students and their parents to take part in the procession arose after St. John’s pupils took part in the Western Front Association’s Article Competition. With the help of the school’s archivist, Sally Todd, the students investigated various sources to piece together an article on an old St. John’s student who nobly fought in WWI. One article, written by William Bennet and others, focused on the life of Rear-Admiral J E V Morton, who remarkably survived the entirety of the war. The article uncovers that the eponymous Morton was a ‘great lover of nature in all her forms,’ hence discovering the Medinilla Mortonii plant upon the HMS Penguin in the early to mid-1890s.
The process of producing these articles helped enhance the solemnity of Saturday’s remembrance for the students, as the atrocities of war and its effects were felt even deeper due to the research that had brought the students closer to those being remembered - on a personal level.
However, during the routine silence, the presence of the English Defence League sparked outrage among many attendees and protestors alike. Bennet recounts that the ‘actions of a few demonstrated the fragility of these moments,’ with Emma Swaisland, the parent of a St. John’s pupil attendee, remarking similarly that ‘it was almost ironic hearing and seeing the far-right there when that is whom Britain struggled against for so long.’ William Bennet describes the moment of solemnity as being ‘hijacked,’ with many agreeing, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who issued a statement on the day expressing his view that ‘The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.’
Despite the condemnable actions of the EDL during the procession, there were more mixed views regarding the presence of pro-Palestinian activists, with people debating whether it was the ‘right thing to do’ to protest on a day of national mourning for Britain. However, there are strong arguments made by many that the 11th could not have been a better time to call for peace, being a day that celebrates peace. Natasha Khan attended the National March for Palestine and pointed out its peaceful, positive, and respectful nature, as alluded to by Sunak’s statement. She described the coming together of children and families ‘despite race or religion,’ as well as the ‘Jews against Genocide’ bloc.
When asked why she chose to march, Natasha said that she was marching...
‘...for the people of Gaza, the innocent children who have died, the children that could’ve had an education and who could’ve gone to university… parents who have lost their children, children who have lost their parents, their siblings.’
Before the protest, when signs were being put up, Natasha recalls that the Palestinian protesters observed a two-minute silence for Armistice Day, whereas the EDL representatives at the cenotaph were described as ‘disruptive and disrespectful’ during the silence by Thompson. Natasha also shared that the Met Police handled the Palestine march admirably: ‘They deserve a huge well done,’ describing them as ‘helpful and mindful.’
From the perspective of those interviewed, the Palestinian march did not detract from the experience of commemorating the fallen British soldiers but rather stood as a reminder to extend the meaning of Armistice Day beyond the remembrance weekend and to use its important message to influence the actions and decisions of our government and indeed ourselves during one of the most trying times we’ve seen in many of our lifetimes.
