Silence in the Square 2011
11 November 2011
This year the event was once again streamed live via the web to a global audience - over 5,000 registrations were received for the transmission including many from schools planning to watch the event in Remembrance assemblies.
Sky Sports presenter Ben Shephard did a great job presenting the morning's programme, which included readings by Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens, musical performances by singing trio The Soldiers, soprano starlet band children's Spitfire Choir with the Central Band of the RAF, the first public viewing of Dame Vera Lynn and Alesha Dixon's new version of "We'll Meet Again", and a glamorous foxtrot by Strictly Come Dancing's Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace.
Prime Minister David Cameron delivered a special Remembrance message via video transmission in which he praised "those putting their lives on the line for us".
London fell still to mark the Two Minute Silence as the traffic was paused around Trafalgar Square in the moments leading up to the silence. Drivers were respectfully asked to join those gathered in Trafalgar Square.
Then the Legion's National Chairman John Farmer spoke the words of the Exhortation before bugler LCpl Joe Matthews of the Scots Guard sounded the Last Post.
Widow Christina Schmid, who poignantly spoke the words of the Kohima, said afterwards: "It has been an honour to take part today and represent those who have lost loved ones in conflict. There's a new generation that needs the help of The Royal British Legion as much today as 90 years ago."
Laura Wright then gave a haunting rendition of "Amazing Grace" as eleven 11-year-olds placed 11 wreaths and the public threw poppy petals into the fountains in the Square.
You can watch a replay of the webcast at www.britishlegion.org.uk/sits for a short time and then highlights of the event will be available.
