On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month this year, the country will stop for one minute to remember the soldiers who died to protect our freedom, in the First World War and all the conflicts since.
| When you actually see those thousands of white crosses going on and on... then you understand the full horror of history |
Most people young and old seem to know this, but how much does the day actually mean to them? I'm aware that many people my age wear the poppy to say, hey, I care, when really, I would guess that they've never really thought about it. They buy a poppy because it's the 'right thing to do.'
Several years ago I visited the battlefield cemeteries of Northern France and Belgium on a school trip. Before that visit, Remembrance Day was an oddity, a few minutes of disruption in the school day. I knew what it was for, but far from thinking about the men and women who had been killed at war during those minutes of silence, I was more likely to be found considering what to have for lunch. But the cemeteries… they're incredible. They have to be seen to be understood.
We visited Thiepval Memorial, the largest British war memorial in the world. It was built to commemorate 74,000 Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Battle of the Somme and have no known graves. It's those numbers that really get you.
Someone can tell you that more than 57,000 British soldiers were killed in a single day on the Somme battlefields, but you can't imagine that sort of volume, those numbers as a pile of bodies, a row of men waiting in line. When you actually see those thousands of white crosses going on and on until they meet the towering white wall, also covered end to end in the names of the lost men, then you understand the full horror of history.
We went to a German cemetery too. I'd never even thought of that - that German soldiers died too, that German families were left without fathers, brother, sons. This cemetery is different to the bright white graves and bowling-green-smooth grass of the British remembrance garden. It's dark; the whole place is chilling, eerie almost. The graves are black rectangles with around ten names on each, not upright in the ground, but laid flat on the grass. Trees hang over the fence round the edge of the field, and at one end is a statue. The statue consists of three soldiers with their helmets on, but they are silhouetted against the setting sun, and seem to exude blackness…
As you can probably tell, the trip affected me. I no longer think about sausage rolls verses burger and chips during those two minutes. I try to imagine the conditions those men suffered, and I try to understand why they were fighting, what they felt they were fighting for. I imagine how they felt leaving their homes and families, if they knew they were going to die. And I remember them.
Jonathan Burt, 20, Beighton
If I see someone selling a poppy for Remembrance Day, I will buy one, but I don't generally go out of my way to find one. To me, they're a sign of respect for people who have died in the wars, all the wars right up to present day. I believe we should still commemorate Remembrance Day because wars are still being fought, and people are still dying.
Vicky Gledhill, 18, Swallownest
I always buy a poppy for Remembrance Day because it is a symbol of what we should be remembering. Remembrance Day is definitely still relevant to me because I still know that if it wasn't for what they did, our lives would be totally different. We live in freedom because of them. The poppy is for everyone who has lost their lives in war since the First World War. Several of my relatives fought in the wars, and to totally dismiss them because they are no longer here is wrong.
You can tell the day is still important within society because newsreaders, interviews and everyone on T.V wear them, although I wonder if they understand what it really means.
Jonathan Kettle, 15, Crosspool
Remembrance Day is to remember those who died in World Wars One and Two and should be for silent praise for those who gave their lives. My great grandfather fought in the First World War, and my grandparents lived through the Second, so I always buy a poppy and show that I care.
The Day should have even more importance these days because of recent conflicts around the world. A fair majority of young people know what the day should be and many of my friends have bought poppies. I think everyone is united at this time, and the wearing of poppies signifies this.
Saima Nazir, 15, Fir Vale
Remembrance Day is very significant as it shows that war is not the answer. Many innocent people die during wars. The day should be a time to pay respect to all those who have lost their lives in conflict because, whether young, old, black or white, they deserve to be remembered.
Young people today do care about Remembrance Day but do not always know enough about the history behind it. As a history student, I think the day should teach people to resolve conflicts by dialogue not warfare.
Sama Qasim, Page Hall, and Ashleigh Wall, 11, Shiregreen
For us the day is important because you should remember the people who fought for us and our country, and those people who gave up their lives for us.
Because of this we have sold poppies in school so that other children get the feeling that they're lucky when they wear a poppy. It's especially important because nowadays people don't always risk their lives unless they've been paid to do it.
Young people are bothered about Remembrance Day. Our friend bought one every day last week and we know there are loads of people like her.
Keith Scherewode, Barnsley
For me Remembrance Day is not about the mistakes made by politicians or generals but it is about people, ordinary people who fought for what they believed in.
I personally don't believe that the Day has more importance nowadays because wars of today don't have nearly the amount of soldier mortality compared to past wars, particularly the First World War.
Should we sell poppies in school? Yes, yes, yes. The importance of symbolism for the youth of today is paramount, and what better way to think about war than to have a symbol ?
For me as an historian, lessons can be learned from the past.
About the team
This story was produced by Jennifer Matthews, 17, a member of the Children's Express Sheffield bureau. A version of this story was published in the Sheffield Star.
