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Veterans Issues
Remembrance
Remembrance
Introduction
Cenotaph
Remembrance
Unknown Warrior
The Royal British Legion
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The two minutes silence I The early years I The national ceremony I The laying of wreaths I The service I The march past
Remembrance - The march past
The massed bands strike up Trumpet Voluntary and the National President
of the Royal British Legion marches forward and lays his wreath against the
bottom step of the Cenotaph. The mood lightens as the massed bands commence
a medley of well-remembered popular tunes from both World Wars, which signals
the beginning of the March Past of the veterans in columns of approximately
1,300 each. They march in contingents of their Ship's Class, Regiment, Corps
or Royal Air Force Association. Legion standards are not carried.
The March Past is organised by the Royal British Legion and includes such
diverse contingents as the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association (BLESMA),
the War Widows Association of Great Britain, the Ton Class Association (a
Royal Navy Association), the London Transport Old Comrades Association, the
West Indian Ex-Servicemen's/Ex Servicewomen's Association (UK) and Bomber
Command (an Royal Air Force Association). Each contingent lays a wreath of
poppies at the foot of the Cenotaph.
The March Past is supervised by the Garrison Sergeant Major London District with the assistance of stewards provided by the Royal British Legion. It takes over an hour, during the course of which over 175 wreaths are laid at the base of the Cenotaph. The national ceremony is broadcast live on national television and radio. Broadcasts are carried in the evening. The ceremony concludes with a member of the Royal Family taking the salute on Horse Guards Parade Ground, accompanied by the Minister for Veterans.
