Remembrance Day 2024 across the Commission

Each November, people around the world gather to pay tribute to those who fell in conflict. We are honoured that many of these events are held in CWGC cemeteries and at our memorials.

The Remembrance Service at Westduin Cemetery, The Hague.

As usual, CWGC staff and representatives took part in the traditional remembrance events in London.

Our Director General, Claire Horton CBE, was present at the Service of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, where she read from the Book of Isaiah. During the service, our Torch of Commemoration was lit and placed at the foot of the grave of the Unknown Soldier, who represents the fallen of all wars, and those who lie within our care.

Our staff also represented us during the traditional Cenotaph Parade in London. We are honoured to send a contingent to the parade each year, and for those of our team who take part their reasons are personal as well as professional.

CWGC Director of Commemorations, Rich Hills said:
“It is an immense privilege to take part in this national event and it makes me feel very proud to represent the CWGC - and I also take the opportunity to remember two colleagues who were killed on operations.”

Andy Murray, one of our Regional Managers from our UK team, said:
“Having served for 30 years in the Army, I have never had the opportunity to do this, not only to pay my respects to the fallen of both World Wars and other conflicts, but as a mark of respect to a few mates and colleagues who gave their all in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Remembrance services large and small were held at our cemeteries and memorials around the world.

Visitors and guests gathered at the Abuja Memorial in Nigeria where more than 2,100 fallen of both world wars are commemorated.

The ceremony at Yaba Cemetery, Lagos, Nigeria.

600 visitors and guests gathered in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand. More than 6,800 casualties are commemorated here, many of whom died as Prisoners of War during the construction of the infamous Burma-Siam railway...

...and at the nearby Chungkai War Cemetery where 1,692 casualties are commemorated.

A service was held at Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia where more than 2,900 Second World War casualties are buried. Another 2,000 men are commemorated on the Medjez-el-Bab Memorial which stands within the cemetery.

In Egypt, visitors and guests gathered at the Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay tribute to the 1,700 Commonwealth war dead who are commemorated there.

In Miami, Florida, the British Consul General, staff and family honoured the 13 Commonwealth air cadets who died their during training in the Second World War and are buried at Caballero Rivero Cemetery.

The Zomba 1914-18 (KAR Tower) Memorial, unveiled on 15 Jan 1924 commemorates 1,249 Malawi and other African casualties who died during the First World War. The Remembrance service was presided over by the President of the Republic of Malawi and top military officials.

Dignitaries from the Diplomatic Corps lay wreaths at the Kampala (Nakawa Road) Cemetery, Uganda, in honour of fallen Commonwealth casualties.

The Service at Calcutta (Bhowanipore) War Cemetery was organized by the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, and successfully coordinated by our head gardener, Mr. Rabi Singh, along with gardener Rajendra.

A big turnout at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire.

The Remembrance Service at Oslo Western Civil Cemetery, Norway where wreaths were laid by the British Ambassador and diplomatic representatives of the Commonwealth countries, as well as by representatives of the Norwegian Armed Forces and State Secretary Kjølseth of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.

The Friday Remembrance Service held in Krakow War Cemetery, Poland (photos: Alexander Gucwa).

The Rome War Cemetery Service was attended by the British Ambassador to Italy, the Rt Hon Edward Llewellyn OBE, and other ambassadors to Italy, senior officers of the Italian Army and of the Arma dei Carabinieri. For the CWGC, The Country Manager Claudia Scimonelli laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance.

At Florence War Cemetery, Italy, a wreath was laid at the headstone of Lieutenant Hugh Mortain Snell, the first Allied casualty in the battle for the Liberation of Florence on 4 August 1944.

Ceremonies were also held at Moro river Canadian war cemetery: the largest and most important Canadian war cemetery in Italy.

The CWGC wreath was laid on our behalf by Antonio Razionale, Group Head Gardener for Moro River and Sangro River cemeteries, in the presence of the Canadian Ambassador to Italy, Elissa Goldberg, and other assorted dignitaries.

In Malta, three different ceremonies were held at three different sites, starting on 8 November with a Remembrance Ceremony at Malta Capuccini Naval Cemetery attended by Mme President of Malta, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono and CWGC Representative Charles Garrett OBE.

Who did you commemorate this Remembrance Day?

Have you got a story to tell about a relative or loved one that you paid tribute to on Remembrance Day? Why not tell us their story on For Evermore, our story archive.