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Silence honours nation's war dead Silence honours nation's war dead
(about 2 hours later)
People across the UK have observed a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day, the start of a weekend of events honouring Britain's war dead.People across the UK have observed a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day, the start of a weekend of events honouring Britain's war dead.
In Trafalgar Square crowds paid tribute to the fallen by scattering poppies into the square's fountains.In Trafalgar Square crowds paid tribute to the fallen by scattering poppies into the square's fountains.
At the London service, people of all ages fell silent as members of the Royal British Legion encouraged them to remember those killed in all conflicts.At the London service, people of all ages fell silent as members of the Royal British Legion encouraged them to remember those killed in all conflicts.
Later, the Queen will dedicate a memorial for New Zealand's war dead.Later, the Queen will dedicate a memorial for New Zealand's war dead.
The Trafalgar Square event, called Silence in the Square, was hosted by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, with live performances by the All-Angels and Charterhouse School Choir.The Trafalgar Square event, called Silence in the Square, was hosted by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, with live performances by the All-Angels and Charterhouse School Choir.
HAVE YOUR SAY A huge number of people endured unspeakable suffering. Two minutes is the least we can give them. Colin, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY A huge number of people endured unspeakable suffering. Two minutes is the least we can give them. Colin, UK Send us your comments
Rebecca Sullivan, 13, from Enfield, north London, recited a poem, There Lie Forgotten Men, which she wrote for a homework assignment and which was chosen by the Legion to be read during the commemoration.Rebecca Sullivan, 13, from Enfield, north London, recited a poem, There Lie Forgotten Men, which she wrote for a homework assignment and which was chosen by the Legion to be read during the commemoration.
The two-minute silence was followed by the traditional Reveille from a lone bugler and an RAF fly-past by four Typhoon aircraft.The two-minute silence was followed by the traditional Reveille from a lone bugler and an RAF fly-past by four Typhoon aircraft.
Later, the Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which takes place at London's Royal Albert Hall at 1900 GMT on Saturday.Later, the Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which takes place at London's Royal Albert Hall at 1900 GMT on Saturday.
On Remembrance Sunday, she will lay the first wreath at the Cenotaph in London.On Remembrance Sunday, she will lay the first wreath at the Cenotaph in London.
At the Cenotaph on Saturday afternoon, a piper was due to accompany relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq to a memorial service organised by the National Military Families Against the War Campaign.At the Cenotaph on Saturday afternoon, a piper was due to accompany relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq to a memorial service organised by the National Military Families Against the War Campaign.
Lone buglerLone bugler
The names of British service personnel and Iraqi civilians who have died in the conflict will be read out at the Whitehall memorial.The names of British service personnel and Iraqi civilians who have died in the conflict will be read out at the Whitehall memorial.
Meanwhile, British troops stationed around the world, including Basra and Baghdad, have also been paying tribute to the war dead.
Being out here, it's quite a tough job to do - it brings it all home to you Andy Mason Royal Marine
In Baghdad, coalition troops gathered in the heavily fortified American Embassy.
Lieutenant Mike Marley, of the Royal Australian Army, said it was a day to recall their fellow servicemen and women who have given their lives in Iraq, as well as those who died in previous conflicts.
In Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where the majority of British forces are based, some 1,200 servicemen and women turned out to pay their respects.
Among them was Andy Mason, a Royal Marine, who said: "It's good to commemorate our dead, past and present. And being out here, it's quite a tough job to do - it brings it all home to you."
I hope it will serve as a focal point Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand High Commissioner 'Special bond' marked I hope it will serve as a focal point Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand High Commissioner 'Special bond' marked
The nationwide two-minute silence has been observed since the end of World War I, at 11 o'clock on 11 November 1918, to remember those who lost their lives then and in conflicts since.The nationwide two-minute silence has been observed since the end of World War I, at 11 o'clock on 11 November 1918, to remember those who lost their lives then and in conflicts since.
The dedication of the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner will begin with a royal guard of honour formed by the largest contingent of New Zealand forces to be seen in the UK since World War II.The dedication of the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner will begin with a royal guard of honour formed by the largest contingent of New Zealand forces to be seen in the UK since World War II.
Dignitaries from both countries, war veterans and more than 1,500 New Zealanders living and working in Britain will watch a fly-past by New Zealand and UK aircraft and performances by New Zealand and London-based Maori cultural groups.Dignitaries from both countries, war veterans and more than 1,500 New Zealanders living and working in Britain will watch a fly-past by New Zealand and UK aircraft and performances by New Zealand and London-based Maori cultural groups.
Painted whitePainted white
Among the New Zealand celebrities expected to attend are former national rugby captain Sean Fitzpatrick, ex-international cricketer Chris Cairns and pop singer Daniel Bedingfield.Among the New Zealand celebrities expected to attend are former national rugby captain Sean Fitzpatrick, ex-international cricketer Chris Cairns and pop singer Daniel Bedingfield.
Singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn and soprano Hayley Westenra will perform during the ceremony.Singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn and soprano Hayley Westenra will perform during the ceremony.
Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand's high commissioner to the UK, said a shared heritage with the UK was "extremely vital".
About 25,000 New Zealanders, from a population of one million, lost their lives in the war, he said.
"There was a huge sacrifice, larger per head of population than any other country in the world."
The £1m memorial funded by the New Zealand government is called Southern Stand.The £1m memorial funded by the New Zealand government is called Southern Stand.
The tops of the 16 bronze cross-shaped sculptures have been painted white so from a distance the site resembles a field of remembrance.The tops of the 16 bronze cross-shaped sculptures have been painted white so from a distance the site resembles a field of remembrance.