We are the custodians of Remembrance

Remembrance

Two Minute Silence

Boy and a poppy fountain At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The Two Minute Silence is observed on Armistice Day, the day which marks the end of the First World War.

The Royal British Legion has always supported the traditional Remembrance Sunday services and the customary Two Minute Silence on that day. As the national custodian of Remembrance, the Legion also believes that when 11 November (Armistice Day) falls on days other than Sundays - on working days - Remembrance should be brought into the everyday life of the nation on those days as well.

The revival of support for observance of this demonstrates that, despite the passing of the years and the declining number of veterans, the nation still feels strongly about Remembrance.

Remembrance transcends all boundaries. The Legion seeks a small yet important individual and collective act, a rare moment when the nation can stand together and reflect on the price of freedom. That price is still being paid. More than 12,000 British Servicemen and women have been killed or injured on active service since 1945.

"If we are to maintain our peace and freedom, we must always remember."

When 11 November falls on a weekday before Remembrance Sunday, the Legion hosts "Silence in the Square" in Trafalgar Square. This event culminates in members of the public placing poppy petals into the famous fountains. Visit our Photo Gallery to see pictures of this moving event from previous years.

Two Minute Silence video

The Legion has been produced a Two Minute Silence DVD for use over the Remembrance period. It features The Last Post played over a selection of Remembrance images, followed by 2 minutes of silence for reflection and concludes with The Reveille.  

The DVD has been produced to provide a visual focal point at Remembrance services and also to show the different ways people across the country remember those who have fought in wars around the world. It can be viewed on our YouTube channel below. To order a copy, please use this link to email our order service.

Two Minute Silence single

RBLAlbumFinalFor the 2010 Poppy Appeal, The Royal British Legion released a single into the UK charts. All of the proceeds from the single went towards furthering our work in supporting serving and ex-Service personnel and their families.

The Prime Minister, Thom Yorke, Andy Murray, David Tennant and Mark Ronson are amongst a host of celebrities and sports stars featured in the video.

Thanks to your support we made chart history by reaching number 20 on Remembrance Sunday in 2010. You can view the video and behind the scenes footage at: www.youtube.com/user/royalbritishlegion.