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Service marks lost WWI generation Service marks lost WWI generation
(29 minutes later)
Westminster Abbey has held a special Armistice Day service following the deaths this year of the three remaining World War I veterans living in the UK.Westminster Abbey has held a special Armistice Day service following the deaths this year of the three remaining World War I veterans living in the UK.
The Queen led the country in observing a two-minute silence at 1100 GMT for the "passing of a generation".The Queen led the country in observing a two-minute silence at 1100 GMT for the "passing of a generation".
Bill Stone died at 108 in January followed by Henry Allingham, 113, and Harry Patch, 111, in July.Bill Stone died at 108 in January followed by Henry Allingham, 113, and Harry Patch, 111, in July.
The monarch laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and Mr Stone's daughter gave a reading.The monarch laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and Mr Stone's daughter gave a reading.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said WWI fundamentally shook the roots of society.In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said WWI fundamentally shook the roots of society.
AT THE SCENE Alex Kleiderman, BBC News The congregation consists of a wide cross-section of people and generations. There are the relatives of the three last veterans of WWI in the UK whose deaths inspired the service, and there are the sons and daughters and grandchildren of other servicemen, including those who never returned. Some are wearing their relatives' war medals. Schoolchildren, whose only connection to the Great War is from history books, are also in attendance. A Union Flag that used to be draped on the bodies of the fallen during WWI has been placed hanging over the Abbey's Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, which symbolises all those who died in the war. href="/2/hi/uk_news/8355086.stm">Service honours WWI generation AT THE SCENE Alex Kleiderman, BBC News The congregation consists of a wide cross-section of people and generations. There are the relatives of the three last veterans of WWI in the UK whose deaths inspired the service, and there are the sons and daughters and grandchildren of other servicemen, including those who never returned. Some are wearing their relatives' war medals. Schoolchildren, whose only connection to the Great War is from history books, are also in attendance. A Union Flag that used to be draped on the bodies of the fallen during WWI has been placed hanging over the Abbey's Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, which symbolises all those who died in the war. href="/2/hi/uk_news/8355086.stm">Courage and sacrifice honoured
But he said it was not true that all moral conviction died in the trenches along with the millions of young men.But he said it was not true that all moral conviction died in the trenches along with the millions of young men.
He said the service acknowledged how that generation - often known as the lost generation after entire villages of men were wiped out - refused to let idealism die.He said the service acknowledged how that generation - often known as the lost generation after entire villages of men were wiped out - refused to let idealism die.
"In the midst of that terror and butchery they found that they were still there. Maybe the simple fact of being real kept that generation faithful, creative and brave.""In the midst of that terror and butchery they found that they were still there. Maybe the simple fact of being real kept that generation faithful, creative and brave."
Two Victoria Cross holders, L/Cpl Johnson Beharry and Trooper Mark Donaldson, who is in the Australian Army, handed a wreath to the Queen, who then placed it on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.Two Victoria Cross holders, L/Cpl Johnson Beharry and Trooper Mark Donaldson, who is in the Australian Army, handed a wreath to the Queen, who then placed it on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
The bell of the destroyer HMS Verdun, which served in WWI, was rung twice in honour of the war dead.The bell of the destroyer HMS Verdun, which served in WWI, was rung twice in honour of the war dead.
Meanwhile, millions of people across the UK also held their own Armistice Day commemorations.Meanwhile, millions of people across the UK also held their own Armistice Day commemorations.
Gordon Brown attended the service in London, along with former prime ministers Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher. Tony Blair is in the Middle East in his capacity as a special envoy.Gordon Brown attended the service in London, along with former prime ministers Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher. Tony Blair is in the Middle East in his capacity as a special envoy.
Actor Jeremy Irons read Last Post by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy during the service to recognise military and civilian contributions to the conflict.Actor Jeremy Irons read Last Post by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy during the service to recognise military and civilian contributions to the conflict.
The silence, which is observed around the UK at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marks the moment that four years of war ended with the signing of the Armistice Treaty by Germany and the Allies.The silence, which is observed around the UK at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marks the moment that four years of war ended with the signing of the Armistice Treaty by Germany and the Allies.
Afghanistan troops mark silence Scotland pays tribute to war dead Ceremonies mark world's war dead Relatives' storiesAfghanistan troops mark silence Scotland pays tribute to war dead Ceremonies mark world's war dead Relatives' stories
A two-minute silence has been marked by troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan.A two-minute silence has been marked by troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Prince Edward led the congregation at a service of remembrance at the Armed Forces Memorial near Lichfield in Staffordshire.Prince Edward led the congregation at a service of remembrance at the Armed Forces Memorial near Lichfield in Staffordshire.
The Royal British Legion also held two events, in London's Trafalgar Square and Swansea's Castle Square, for people who wanted to observe the two-minute silence with others.The Royal British Legion also held two events, in London's Trafalgar Square and Swansea's Castle Square, for people who wanted to observe the two-minute silence with others.
Meanwhile, members of the public gathered at Edinburgh's Garden of Remembrance for the silence, marked by a gun from Edinburgh Castle, while Glasgow's Lord Provost led a remembrance service at the George Square war memorial.Meanwhile, members of the public gathered at Edinburgh's Garden of Remembrance for the silence, marked by a gun from Edinburgh Castle, while Glasgow's Lord Provost led a remembrance service at the George Square war memorial.
In Wales, the parents of the 200th soldier to be killed in Afghanistan used the Armistice commemorations to announce they were setting up a foundation in his memory.In Wales, the parents of the 200th soldier to be killed in Afghanistan used the Armistice commemorations to announce they were setting up a foundation in his memory.
Richard Hunt, 21, who lived near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, died in hospital in August, two days after an explosion in Helmand province.Richard Hunt, 21, who lived near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, died in hospital in August, two days after an explosion in Helmand province.
Pte Hunt's parents Hazel and Philip plan to launch the Richard Hunt Foundation at the end of the month, to work with other charities to help and support injured Welsh soldiers and those who have served in Welsh regiments.Pte Hunt's parents Hazel and Philip plan to launch the Richard Hunt Foundation at the end of the month, to work with other charities to help and support injured Welsh soldiers and those who have served in Welsh regiments.
'Great man''Great man'
Relatives of Mr Allingham from Sussex, who was the world's oldest man when he died, attended the Westminster Abbey service along with the president of St Dunstan's, a charity for blind and visually impaired ex-service personnel.Relatives of Mr Allingham from Sussex, who was the world's oldest man when he died, attended the Westminster Abbey service along with the president of St Dunstan's, a charity for blind and visually impaired ex-service personnel.
Ray Hazan, 64, a former captain in the Royal Anglian Regiment, was blinded in 1973 by an IRA parcel bomb in Northern Ireland and became a friend of Mr Allingham's after his organisation started helping the centenarian in 2005.Ray Hazan, 64, a former captain in the Royal Anglian Regiment, was blinded in 1973 by an IRA parcel bomb in Northern Ireland and became a friend of Mr Allingham's after his organisation started helping the centenarian in 2005.
We hope that men like Henry... can be an inspiration to the troops currently putting their lives on the line Ray Hazan Send us your commentsWe hope that men like Henry... can be an inspiration to the troops currently putting their lives on the line Ray Hazan Send us your comments
He told the BBC: "He was a great inspiration, a great man for going around schools and telling them what it had been like in the hope that people didn't do that sort of the thing again."He told the BBC: "He was a great inspiration, a great man for going around schools and telling them what it had been like in the hope that people didn't do that sort of the thing again."
Mr Hazan said he brought history alive for children and had a "whale of a time" doing it.Mr Hazan said he brought history alive for children and had a "whale of a time" doing it.
"Henry was active right up until his final months, celebrating his 113th birthday on board HMS President and although he was starting to show his age, he was jubilant about being a teenager again."Henry was active right up until his final months, celebrating his 113th birthday on board HMS President and although he was starting to show his age, he was jubilant about being a teenager again.
"We hope that men like Henry... can be an inspiration to the troops currently putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan.""We hope that men like Henry... can be an inspiration to the troops currently putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan."
Mr Patch, the last surviving Tommy, died aged 111 at his care home in Wells, Somerset, in July.Mr Patch, the last surviving Tommy, died aged 111 at his care home in Wells, Somerset, in July.
William Stone, originally from Watlington in Oxfordshire, was the last British serviceman to have seen active duty in both world wars. He died at a care home in Sindlesham near Wokingham, Berkshire, on 10 January.William Stone, originally from Watlington in Oxfordshire, was the last British serviceman to have seen active duty in both world wars. He died at a care home in Sindlesham near Wokingham, Berkshire, on 10 January.
Representatives from every county with links to the war attended the service along with various members of the armed forces, government, ambassadors and high commissioners.Representatives from every county with links to the war attended the service along with various members of the armed forces, government, ambassadors and high commissioners.