London Remembers - The Tower of London & Imperial War Museum Tributes To The Armistice Centenary

November 11th of 2018 marks 100 years since the Armistice of 1918 finally brought fighting during World War One to an end. London has been paying tribute to commemorate this significant anniversary and to ensure we continue to remember those who died at this time. Over the lead up to Remembrance Day on November 11th the Imperial War Museum and the Tower of London offers visitors incredible free displays of colours, lights and sounds to ensure that as a city, London remembers.

To appreciate these spectacles and to take time on a personal level to give thanks and remembrance I visited both the Imperial War Museum and the Tower of London. The displays of remembrance I found were not only visually and artistically impressive but also incredibly moving.

For those unable to visit or who want to know more about how London remembers our fallen heroes on this Centenary anniversary of the Armistice, I will tell you a little about each of the displays and what I found.

What is Remembrance Day?

Each year British Commonwealth countries mark Remembrance Day on 11th November. This was the date upon which the Armistice agreement brought an end to the fighting during World War One... on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The first remembrance day was marked in 1919 when King George V called for 2 minutes silence at 11 am to remember the lives lost in the 'Great War'.

Today, this act of remembrance each year is to remember lives lost in both World Wars and all conflicts since then.

Each year we remember the dead through ceremonies of remembrance and we wear poppies as a sign of respect.

Poppies are used to represent the flowers which grew on the battlefields after the end of WW1. These fields of poppies are also described in the famous poem, 'In Flanders Fields', written by Canadian, John McCrae.

Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers

The Tower of London

Beyond The Deepening Shadows

To mark this centenary anniversary of the Armistice, the Tower of London are lighting 10,000 torches in the moat surrounding the Tower. The lighting ceremony is to be held every evening of the 4th to 11th November, between 5pm and 9pm.

The lit torches are accompanied with carefully selected music and poems. Each torch lit is to represent a life lost in the First World War.

Every evening of the display begins with a procession led by the Yeoman warders of the Tower.

The Yeoman warders, all former servicemen and women light the first torches each evening, with a team of volunteers then lighting the remaining torches by hand.

Attending this display was a memorable and moving experience.

As might be expected the event attracted large volumes of people all wishing to pay their own tributes and be part of this spectacle.

The crowds were, however, well controlled and streamed down to the Tower to take in the display. It was a 90 minute queue to reach the moat and fully appreciate the spectacular lights within but this was more than worthwhile.

The visual and sound effects were powerful and draw a true emotional response. The lit torches flickering against the dramatic background of the Tower itself, while harrowing music and song is playing are a fitting tribute to the true extent of devastation the First World War caused to so many.

Weeping Window:

Imperial War Museum, London

Weeping Window

At the Imperial War Museum in London, another artistic and meaningful tribute is being made to the Armistice Centenary.

The front of the museum has been altered with a stunning poppy display which will remain in place between 5th October and 18th November.

Several thousand ceramic hand made and painted poppies cascade from an upper window of the Imperial War Museum in a visual creation called, 'Weeping Window'. This dramatic display is the creation of artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper.

These same poppies were originally a part of the installation at the Tower of London from August to November 2014 for the event, 'Poppies: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red'.

During this display 888,246 poppies were placed around the Tower, one for every British or Colonial life lost at the front during the First World War. The poppies were each planted by volunteers and following the display the majority were sold individually to members of the public. These sales raised £9.5 million in proceeds which was split between 6 military charities.

Following the 2014 display the poppies now at the Imperial War Museum have been undertaking a 4 year tour of the UK. 'Weeping Window' is a final fitting tribute that will bring the tour of these poppies to an end.

Taking in the display at the Imperial War Museum was another powerful means to pay tribute to the war dead. The creativity in the display and the impact of the red poppies flowing down from the top of the museum building are astounding. On seeing the display up close, it is also evident how carefully designed and placed each poppy is within the complete spectacle.

Overall, these two displays in London do not only hold visual and emotional impact but also serve as a demonstration of how well London remembers during our Remembrance day anniversaries.