Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Diplomats, soldiers, dignitaries and the media gathered at the Old Christian Cemetery to pay their respects to the brave people who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their countries, writes Charlie Holding.
Armistice Day, which coincides with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of the First World War and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of the First World War, which took effect at eleven o’clock in the morning – the ‘eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month’ of 1918.
Around the world, people observe two consecutive minutes of silence at 11am local time as a sign of respect. The first minute is for the roughly 20 million people who died in the war and the second is dedicated to the living left behind including wives, children and families.
Today, remembrance poppies are used to commemorate servicemen and women who have been killed in all conflicts since 1914.
Poppy wreaths are also laid at war memorials to mark the day. As such, diplomats took turns to lay their wreaths, starting with British Ambassador to Bahrain, Iain Lindsay.
Ambassador Lindsay said: “I am most grateful to all those who participated in the moving Act of Remembrance. The support of our Armed Forces, allied forces, diplomatic colleagues, community groups, schools and churches was phenomenal, as was of course the participation of individual members of the British community who wanted to pay their respects to the fallen.
“We were also immensely honoured and privileged to have with us three Chelsea Pensioners, who have been great ambassadors for the Royal Hospital during their visit to Bahrain, and members of the Red Arrows, the RAF’s Aerobatic Display Team, who performed so magnificently over Manama.
“Bridget and I and the Embassy’s Defence Team were delighted to be able to thank everyone at the traditional post-Remembrance Service curry lunch in the Ambassador’s Residence garden. It was terrific to see the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force out in strength. They do a magnificent job here in Bahrain, for which we are all very grateful.”
Chelsea Pensioners are former members of the British Army who stay at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home and nursing home located in London.
Barry Prior, 66, who served in the Royal Engineers for 25 years, said: “It’s very important to remember the past because if you don’t you’re doomed to repeat it.
“I was thrilled to see ambassadors from so many countries at the service. We all have war dead and it’s fantastic that we can now all sit around the same table.”
Albert Willis, 78, has been a Chelsea Pensioner for three years and said that Armistice Day is a time to reflect on conflict from the past and present.
He said: “The service in Bahrain was touching and seemed like a mini replica of Whitehall, it felt like a touch of home, well, besides the weather.”
