Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Shubman Gill: A big honour for me to lead such legends
    • Forest-Chelsea, Bayern-Dortmund
    • TV host cut off after claiming Jennifer Aniston used to be much better looking
    • Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal
    • Everything we know about Prince Andrew’s titles decision
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - News Briefing - Cenotaph: What is the history and significance of the Whitehall monument on Remembrance Day?
    News Briefing Updated:November 11, 2024

    Cenotaph: What is the history and significance of the Whitehall monument on Remembrance Day?

    By David Pike4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Cenotaph: What is the history and significance of the Whitehall monument on Remembrance Day?

    Cenotaph: What is the history and significance of the Whitehall monument on Remembrance Day?

    Remembrance Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of November every year and provides a moment for the British public to reflect on the supreme sacrifice made by its soldiers in the First World War and in all conflicts since.

    The centrepiece of the National Service of Remembrance is the Cenotaph, the stone war memorial that stands in the heart of Whitehall in central London, at the base of which members of the royal family, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, their ministers, Commonwealth high commissioners and military personnel all gather to lay wreaths of poppies and pay their respects to the fallen.

    The monument takes its name from the Greek word for “empty tomb” and reflects the absence of the dead, many of whom were buried close to the battlefields of France and Flanders where they were killed in the Great War of 1914-18 because the repatriation of dead bodies was forbidden at the time, a policy that meant their grief-stricken loved ones had no local gravesite at which to mourn their loss.

    The Cenotaph was designed by the famed Edwardian architect Sir Edward Lutyens, then an adviser to the newly-founded Imperial War Graves Commission.

    Lutyens had originally been tasked with erecting a temporary, wood-and-plaster memorial for the belated Victory Parade that was held on 19 July 1919 to honour the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

    When huge crowds gathered to watch that 15,000-strong procession of Allied soldiers and returned on 11 November to lay their tributes on the one-year anniversary of the signing of the armistice, it was decided a permanent successor was needed, given its obviously immense popularity with the British public.

    Construction of Sir Edward’s design for a more lasting version of the Cenotaph commenced in May 1920, the monument this time built from Portland stone and intended as a simple pedestal supporting a lone coffin, standing solemnly for all of the nation’s “Glorious Dead”, with no overt reference to events on the battlefield and only a laurel wreath by way of decoration.

    His design received some criticism from Christian groups over its lack of explicit Christian symbolism – a decision that came at the direction of prime minister David Lloyd George, on the basis that the Cenotaph was for people “from all parts of the empire, irrespective of their religious creeds” – but its secular nature has arguably proved to be a strength, the memorial encouraging quiet contemplation no matter what the faith of the observer.

    It was duly unveiled by King George V and the Archbishop of Canterbury on 11 November 1920 on the same day that the burial service for the “Unknown Warrior” was held at nearby Westminster Abbey, the second anniversary of the armistice.

    The Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London (Aaron Chown/PA)

    The Cenotaph was shrouded in Union Jacks that day before the king pulled them free at the exact stroke of 11am, the preise moment the ceasefire had come into effect two years earlier. A two-minute silence was then observed, ending with the “Last Post” ringing out across Whitehall.

    The memorial was met with instant acclaim from the public, who so admired it that men customarily tipped their hats to it in tribute when they passed, prompting replicas to spring up in towns and cities across the country.

    The Royal Institute of British Architects duly rewarded Lutyens with its Royal Gold Medal in 1921 in gratitude for his work.

    Sadly, “the war to end all wars” could not live up to its promise and, following the conclusion of a once-unthinkable Second World War in 1945, King George VI oversaw the rededication of the Cenotaph to recognise the British and imperial dead of that conflict too, its dates added to the inscription in Roman numerals and presented at a ceremony on 10 November 1946.

    The Cenotaph has occasionally been defaced by protesters in the intervening decades but still stands tall 103 years on from its unveiling, the simple humanity of its message there for all to see.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cenotaph-protest-remembrance-day-2024-b2644862.html

    London news The Independent UK featured UK Trending
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleArmistice Day: What is the history behind the Remembrance commemoration?
    Next Article When is Remembrance Day 2024? Minute’s silence time and what red poppies symbolise
    David Pike

    David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

    Related Posts

    Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal
    UK News

    Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal

    Everything we know about Prince Andrew’s titles decision
    UK News

    Everything we know about Prince Andrew’s titles decision

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes ‘Putin is afraid’ that Donald Trump could still supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles
    Politics

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes ‘Putin is afraid’ that Donald Trump could still supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles

    Zelenskyy proposes ‘drone for Tomahawk’ deal at White House – but Trump warns of ‘escalation’
    Politics

    Zelenskyy proposes ‘drone for Tomahawk’ deal at White House – but Trump warns of ‘escalation’

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal

    Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal

    Everything we know about Prince Andrew’s titles decision

    Everything we know about Prince Andrew’s titles decision

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Shubman Gill: A big honour for me to lead such legends October 18, 2025
    • Forest-Chelsea, Bayern-Dortmund October 18, 2025
    • TV host cut off after claiming Jennifer Aniston used to be much better looking October 18, 2025
    • Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal October 18, 2025
    • Everything we know about Prince Andrew’s titles decision October 18, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.