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| Remembering war to promote peace | Remembering war to promote peace |
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| Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the first world war. Far from being a "war to end all wars" or a "victory for democracy", this was a military disaster and a human catastrophe. | Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the first world war. Far from being a "war to end all wars" or a "victory for democracy", this was a military disaster and a human catastrophe. |
| We are disturbed, therefore, that David Cameron plans to spend £55m on a "truly national commemoration" to mark this anniversary. Mr Cameron quite inappropriately compared these events to the "diamond jubilee celebrations" and stated that their aim will be to stress our "national spirit". That they will be run at least in part by former generals and ex-defence secretaries reveals just how misconceived these plans are. | We are disturbed, therefore, that David Cameron plans to spend £55m on a "truly national commemoration" to mark this anniversary. Mr Cameron quite inappropriately compared these events to the "diamond jubilee celebrations" and stated that their aim will be to stress our "national spirit". That they will be run at least in part by former generals and ex-defence secretaries reveals just how misconceived these plans are. |
| Instead we believe it is important to remember that this was a war that was driven by big powers' competition for influence around the globe, and caused a degree of suffering all too clear in the statistical record of 16 million people dead and 20 million wounded. | Instead we believe it is important to remember that this was a war that was driven by big powers' competition for influence around the globe, and caused a degree of suffering all too clear in the statistical record of 16 million people dead and 20 million wounded. |
| In 2014, we and others across the world will be organising cultural, political and educational activities to mark the courage of many involved in the war but also to remember the almost unimaginable devastation caused. In a time of international tension, we call on all those who agree with us to join us – by adding their names to ours at ww1.stopwar.org.uk – to ensure that this anniversary is used to promote peace and international co-operation. Jude Law, Michael Morpurgo, Antony Gormley, Patrick Stewart, Carol Ann Duffy, Vanessa Redgrave, Simon Callow, Brian Eno, Lindsey German, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Tony Benn, Timothy West, Dominic Cooke, AL Kennedy, Janie Dee, Neil Faulkner, Heathcote Williams, Dame Harriet Walter, Tim Pigott-Smith, Roger Lloyd Pack, Alan Rickman, Ken Loach, Ralph Steadman, Ken Livingstone, Rob Montgomery, Duncan Heining, Chris Nineham, Kate Hudson, Jan Woolf, Peter Kennard, Andy de la Tour, Evan Parker, Robert Wyatt, Colin Towns, Chris Searle, Neil Yates, Steve Berry, Leo Aylen, Danny Thompson, Terry Jones, Kika Markham, Susan Wooldridge, Tony Haynes, Mike Dibb, Nic France, Leon Rosselson, Barry Miles, Liane Aukin, Alistair Beaton | In 2014, we and others across the world will be organising cultural, political and educational activities to mark the courage of many involved in the war but also to remember the almost unimaginable devastation caused. In a time of international tension, we call on all those who agree with us to join us – by adding their names to ours at ww1.stopwar.org.uk – to ensure that this anniversary is used to promote peace and international co-operation. Jude Law, Michael Morpurgo, Antony Gormley, Patrick Stewart, Carol Ann Duffy, Vanessa Redgrave, Simon Callow, Brian Eno, Lindsey German, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Tony Benn, Timothy West, Dominic Cooke, AL Kennedy, Janie Dee, Neil Faulkner, Heathcote Williams, Dame Harriet Walter, Tim Pigott-Smith, Roger Lloyd Pack, Alan Rickman, Ken Loach, Ralph Steadman, Ken Livingstone, Rob Montgomery, Duncan Heining, Chris Nineham, Kate Hudson, Jan Woolf, Peter Kennard, Andy de la Tour, Evan Parker, Robert Wyatt, Colin Towns, Chris Searle, Neil Yates, Steve Berry, Leo Aylen, Danny Thompson, Terry Jones, Kika Markham, Susan Wooldridge, Tony Haynes, Mike Dibb, Nic France, Leon Rosselson, Barry Miles, Liane Aukin, Alistair Beaton |
| • "When should these commemorations end?" you ask (Unthinkable? Putting the second world war to rest, 18 May). Should Remembrance Day's services and parades be axed? After all, you advocate that we should "move on". What is so obnoxious about second world war (or first world war) commemorations? Is our "deep official collective need to remember" really such a bad thing? Does it do any harm to the country, the economy, the lives of ordinary people? Why shouldn't we remember and honour those millions who gave their lives – or, more accurately, had their lives taken away – in the service of their country? And as for memorials, plaques and statues, we happily erect these for politicians, sportsmen and other worthies. Are these decided on "maturely and respectfully"? Continuing to commemorate doesn't prevent us from "moving on". Dr John Fenney Chichester, West Sussex | • "When should these commemorations end?" you ask (Unthinkable? Putting the second world war to rest, 18 May). Should Remembrance Day's services and parades be axed? After all, you advocate that we should "move on". What is so obnoxious about second world war (or first world war) commemorations? Is our "deep official collective need to remember" really such a bad thing? Does it do any harm to the country, the economy, the lives of ordinary people? Why shouldn't we remember and honour those millions who gave their lives – or, more accurately, had their lives taken away – in the service of their country? And as for memorials, plaques and statues, we happily erect these for politicians, sportsmen and other worthies. Are these decided on "maturely and respectfully"? Continuing to commemorate doesn't prevent us from "moving on". Dr John Fenney Chichester, West Sussex |
| • Britain's achievements during the second world war were remarkable. A sustained and brave effort by the whole nation helped defeat a terrible tyranny. There were incredible acts of bravery that helped ensure that this and other nations were not enslaved. Many will see the second world war as the country's greatest moment in history, and very many others will know of relatives who fought in the war. So no – it isn't time to stop remembering these events. It's time for pride, fond remembrance and reflection. Martin Adams Much Hadham, Hertfordshire | • Britain's achievements during the second world war were remarkable. A sustained and brave effort by the whole nation helped defeat a terrible tyranny. There were incredible acts of bravery that helped ensure that this and other nations were not enslaved. Many will see the second world war as the country's greatest moment in history, and very many others will know of relatives who fought in the war. So no – it isn't time to stop remembering these events. It's time for pride, fond remembrance and reflection. Martin Adams Much Hadham, Hertfordshire |
| • Your third leader makes a good point badly. Of course the heroics, as well as the hostilities of old wars, are best laid to rest, and the sooner the better. But the debts of war have to be paid, and this country owes a debt of honour to the Bevin boys which will not be repaid (and ought not to be written off) until they are held in equal esteem with airmen and sailors. Simon Weller Cupar, Fife | • Your third leader makes a good point badly. Of course the heroics, as well as the hostilities of old wars, are best laid to rest, and the sooner the better. But the debts of war have to be paid, and this country owes a debt of honour to the Bevin boys which will not be repaid (and ought not to be written off) until they are held in equal esteem with airmen and sailors. Simon Weller Cupar, Fife |
| • Your editorial would like to put the endless commemorations of the war to rest. Spare a thought, then, for those of us who live on the island of Ireland, where we have embarked on a decade of centenaries, starting last year with the Ulster Covenant; last month it was the foundation of the UVF (the flags still hang from our lamp-posts while various public agencies pass the buck on who should take them down), the 1916 Easter Rising lies ahead, and so on. And come 12 July the annual celebration of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne will once again raise tensions and use up huge police resources in Northern Ireland. It would be wonderful if we too could "move on". Professor Emeritus Bob Osborne University of Ulster | • Your editorial would like to put the endless commemorations of the war to rest. Spare a thought, then, for those of us who live on the island of Ireland, where we have embarked on a decade of centenaries, starting last year with the Ulster Covenant; last month it was the foundation of the UVF (the flags still hang from our lamp-posts while various public agencies pass the buck on who should take them down), the 1916 Easter Rising lies ahead, and so on. And come 12 July the annual celebration of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne will once again raise tensions and use up huge police resources in Northern Ireland. It would be wonderful if we too could "move on". Professor Emeritus Bob Osborne University of Ulster |
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