Images of falling poppies were projected onto the Big Ben clocktower at the Houses of Parliament in London to mark Remembrance Sunday on November 9th 2014.
The cascading poppies drew crowds of spectators onto Westminster Bridge, at the end of a day of events around the UK remembering the fallen of both world wars and conflicts since 1945.
This was the UK’s first Remembrance Sunday to be held during the Centenary of the First World War.
John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “Like many national institutions, Parliament was radically altered by the war, and it is appropriate that the centenary should be prominently remembered in this manner.”
Queen Elizabeth led the nation in the traditional tribute at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. Two minutes silence was observed at 11am, the hour when the Armistice came into effect on November 11th 1918.
Ireland’s laurel wreath at the Cenotaph (Photo: Centenary News)
The Irish Government, represented by its ambassador in London, Daniel Mulhall, took part in the wreath-laying ceremony for the first time in almost 70 years.
The UK Government said the invitation had been made in the Centenary year of the First World War “in recognition of the immense contribution and shared sacrifice made by many thousands of Irish men and women who have served in the British Armed Forces.”
Ireland’s remembrance was complicated by the fight for independence. The Easter Rising against British rule broke out in 1916, the same year as Irishmen fought in the Battle of the Somme. Partition followed in 1922.
Sources: UK Parliament, UK Government
Images: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News