The annual Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph is awe inspiring. The buglers playing the Last post, the field gun at the end of the 2 minutes silence, the entire ceremony is unsurpassable and a reason I shall always be proud to be British.
At the wedding of Prince Albert (second in line to the throne but who became King George VI in 1936) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Elizabeth (later to become the Queen Mother), laid her bridal bouquet on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in memory of her brother who was killed during the war. Ever since, it has become a tradition that all royal brides who are married in Westminster Abbey follow this custom. The bouquets remain there until they start to wilt. I have seen the bouquets of Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, Princess Diana, Duchess of York and our present Princess of Wales, Catherine.
During Lockdown for the pandemic, the Queen came to an empty Westminster Abbey with her equerry. She stood head bowed and wearing a face mask, as the Dean of Westminster said prayers, then she laid on the Tomb a copy of her own bridal bouquet. It was incredibly moving.
As a Scottish nationalist I’m not one for British symbolism but those that died in the world wars are sacred. It’s a nice tradition to have and if she did it instinctively that’s really sweet.
@@boxtradums0073 You DO realise that the things that you think of as Scottish - the Stone of Scone, the Wallace statue, the huge memorial to Sir Walter Scott and so on, are ALL British? If you live in the island of Great Britain, then you are British. Scotland is just one country of Great Britain.
@@MarkfromtheStates There is a war memorial the only one in Scotland not in stone in a tiny church for a farming valley . Some Families lost several member ,Brothers Uncles Sons Nephews . The village did not have men to continue , so a written memorial was done , the church is in the Scottish Borders .
Being British I knew about the unknown warrior - or at least I thought I did. This has shown me that there was so much more to know. Beginning with whose idea it was originally and how the soldier was chosen, I had given no thought to those things. So much thought and careful planning going into every detail from then onwards. The special coffin, the antique 'warriors' sword mounted on top. The great respect with which he was treated on his journey back to England. Very moving. I look forward to Remembrance Day, the wreath laying at the local cenotaph, members of my family have taken turns to lay a small wreath to remember my grt grandfather who died in WW1. We watch the filming of the Royal family and dignitaries laying wreaths at the big cenotaph shown in this film. It is a sad occasion and many tears are shed but it is important to keep it going - "lest we forget". Thank you for choosing this.
Seeing the poppies drop from the ceiling at the end of the festival of remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, gets me every time. It truly brings home the enormous numbers of our finest who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Don't feel guilty sir ,feel pride .... That's what we do .... Those men and boys gave their lives for us to live in freedom , once a year at 11am on 11th of November we give then 2 minutes just so we can say thank you and remember their sacrifice ..... Not a bad trade off I think . Another great vid mark , thank you .
What I think is so wonderful is that the Unknown Warrior could be either a sailor, soldier or airman, of any rank from any of the Commonwealth countries who fought in WW1.
@@CarolWoosey-ck2rgNavy personnel fought as part of the infantry in WW1 and obviously airmen were shot down ...That's why it's called the tomb of the unknown warrior ,not soldier as in other parts of the world .
Mark there is no reason to feel guilty for what you seek to know. I know how you feel, i to wear my heart on my sleeve so to speak. Very moving when you see stuff like this. I often ask my grandchildren especially those who have grown up what this is about and they do not know. Stuff like this is not taught in schools these days and I find it quite annoying. How are we supposed to prevent these events from happening again and again. Politicians need to learn from it as well as its not them that are on the front lines. We never seem to learn from mankind's mistakes. A very nice video to do a reaction on. Keep up the good work.
The railway van used to transport the coffin was identified in 1991 when it was withdrawn from service as a storage van. It was moved to the Kent & East Suffolk Railway for restoration. It was finally restored for the 90th anniversary in 2010. The "Cavell Van" is now at The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum and is usually on display at Bodiam Station.
If you go to every British local town war memorial, you’ll see the names of people who fought in the Great War. Many from the same families. Every year we gather around on Remembrance Day to honour them
I am so proud that my 17yr old son insists on coming with me each year to our home town memorial service to remember our family members who's names are inscribed. We will remember them still rings strong and true in our family.
Lovely video Mark, being British I’m very well aware of this story and the unknown soldier but this still made me choked up and teary, by the way, yap on as much as you want I like to hear what you’ve got to say, that’s why we’re here. You’re doing great. Every year I look forward to our Remembrance Day but that’s because I enjoy seeing the honour we give our glorious dead. We will remember them.
Dont feel guilty. You are doing what is intended. Remember the fallen and give prayers for their souls and a focal point for those familieswho lost dear ones and cant visit their graves. Thank you for showing us this and your quiet dignity.
As mentioned Royal Brides place their bouquets 💐 there, it's simplicity still helps to convey such powerful emotions and gratitude over a 100 years later..We shall remember them, Lest we Forget
You say a couple of people say (I'm your own words), that "you yap too much". Speaking for myself, I think it's great that you find your content so interesting, and that you're so enthusiastic about it. So all i can say is.. Yap away my friend.. Yap away. Jed.. South Coast England 😊
Good Afternoon Mark, I remember about 40 years ago and going into Westminster Abbey and looking at the tomb of the unknown soldier, it was a Cold November Day and I just thought at the time about all the souls who died for their Countries
The Cenotaph was built as a temporary structure, but replaces by permanent when it became a focal point for those who had no known grave. It is a solemn event, on Remembrance Sunday wreaths are laid by numerous people from UK and the world. A march past followed the brief service. Always watch it, sad, but humbling reminder of lives given for us. No festivities but a day of mourning.
The tomb is called the "Tomb of The Unknown Warrior" not the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," though it is frequently referred to as such. He was almost certainly a soldier but he could have been an airman in the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF, or a member of the Royal Naval Air Service or the Royal Naval Division, so technically a sailor. On 26th April 1923 the late queen's mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, on her wedding day, laid her wedding bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior as she entered Westminster Abbey. Since then, every royal bride, married in in Westminster Abbey has laid her wedding bouquet on the tomb.
I was able to buy one of those poppies. I initially wasn’t sure that it could be sent overseas. Each Armistice Day, I take it out of its package and display it. In the UK, we all buy material poppies being sold in schools and on the corners. You’ll see the RF wear poppies on their outfits and uniforms as, in the years gone by, the Queen would lay a wreath of poppies at the Cenotaph. Thank you for letting us watch this with you. I miss seeing poppies being worn on on lapels in November now I’m in the US. I love watching the parade and guarding of the US Tomb of the Unknown. Both remembrances are emotional.
@@MarkfromtheStates I’m off to Sacramento tomorrow. Always interesting to see what the traffic is like. I always tell my clients I’ll be there at something of Ian depending on the traffics l on 1-80. I shall just put some Motown on with e some Blues and reggae and see what happens. I’m
Utility van 132 is preserved on the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Bodiam Station. There is a replica of the coffin in the van as well as information about Edith Cavell and Captain Fryatt.
My Grandfather was killed in 1916 and my father didn't remember him...I managed to buy one of the Tower of London poppies in remembrance of him. It is in my study and I am looking at it now. R.I.P.
Hi Mark, the background music in the video is by two British composers, firstly Karl Jenkins' 'Benedictus' from The Armed Man, then Sir Edward Elgar's 'Nimrod' which is played by the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards at the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday.
Sir Karl Jenkins was educated in music at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music: of the latter, he is a fellow and an Associate. He joined the jazz-rock band Soft Machine in 1972 and became the group's lead songwriter in 1974. Jenkins continued to work with Soft Machine up to 1984, but has not been involved with any incarnation of the group since. Jenkins has composed music for advertisement campaigns and has won the industry prize twice.
1:52 into the video & the tears have already started. My family were bombed in the Blitz & lost souls in WW1. I had three great Aunts the oldest of which was born either a year before or after Titanic sank (I can never remember which) that lived together & never married. When I asked why they simply said, there were too few men left alive to marry....I have great difficulty getting my head around such heartbreaking carnage, & we really must never, ever forget.
My first cousin once removed died at the Somme. I like to think that he might be the Unknown Warrior. I love your channel - and your 'rambling on' ( I consider it setting the stage) at the start of your videos. 🥰
Don't feel guilty if you're showing this much respect towards all these video's that is more than enough your emotions are valid and true so for that Thank You from the UK
@Mark Masterton. Don't feel guilt for watching the ceremonies. What you ARE doing by watching, exploring and sharing your reactions is Remembering those who paid the price. Thus, they are never forgotten, always remembered.
They shall not grow old is a must watch sir, Peter Jackson has brought 100 year old footage of world war 1 back to life like it was filmed yesterday. The schools in the uk use the film for history lessons, and it was commissioned to be made for the 100 year anniversary
There is another rememberance day, virtually forgotten and/or ignored by the majority of the UK, 3rd September is Merchant Nave Day. in both world wars men sailed in unarmed ships to keep the UK supplied with food and resources, at risk of attack by enemy surface raiders and submarines, and in WWII also long range anti shipping aircraft. To quite from the web site "Merchant Navy Day campaign was started in 2015 to address ‘sea blindness’ that appeared to afflict a huge proportion of the population".
@@MarkfromtheStates My father was a merchant seaman (ships carpenter, probably carpenters mate in WWII), his ship was commandeered as a troop transport in WII, he spent a while bobbing about in the Bay of Biscay (loaded with troops), after a torpedo "removed" it's rudder, made it's way home steering using the propellers , was refitted and took part in the D-Day landings. Many of his companies colleagues on convoy and other duties were less "lucky".
@@MarkfromtheStates He never said anything about it, when we were kids (1950s/60s) he was away 6 weeks (Southampton to South Africa and back) and home 2 weeks (1 week leave, 1 week preparing for the next trip). I have some of his documents showing he was on Llangibby Castle during that time - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Llangibby_Castle
Everytime I hear this story it makes me cry and every royal bride has her bouquet placed on the tomb I had the privilege to go to Westminster after William and Catherine married and it's a beautiful place
It's always made me wounder. The Americans have the unknown soldier. In my mind that's the army. There is no unknown pilot or sailor etc. Ours is the unknown warrior so it includes all braches of the military 🪖.
@@MarkfromtheStates All branches of the armed forces were involved on the battlefields of WWI. The Army, the Royal Air Force and the sailors and Marines of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Therefore, the body of the Unknown Warrior could indeed be from any service and not just the Army, making the term, Soldier, redundant.
@@59jalex Here in the US, we have laid a body of an Unknown Soldier from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. After DNA analysis became a thing, the body of the Vietnam Unknown was disinterred and DNA tested against the DNA of families who had family members still missing in action. They received a match and the Vietnam Unknown turned out to be an Air Force officer, a pilot. He was reburied near his family home. No one occupies that particular tomb any longer. Coincidently, that officer was flying A-37 attack jets out of Bien Hoa AB while I was stationed there as a Marine and he was shot down near An Loc, a major battle location in 1972.
This was interesting. A lot of it, I did not know. You may like a song called The Green Fields of France. My favourite version is by Damh the Bard. No need for guilt, you feel a natural pull towards a deeper understanding of your UK family, because you are family to us now.
I am so privileged to own one of the Poppies from the Tower of London which will be passed to my son, it takes pride of place in my home, I also have a poppy badge to commemorates the great battle of Passchendaele the badge is made from some of the shells found in the trenches in France mixed with the mud and made into a beautiful broach with a commemorate of the life of Private J Moore, Machine Gun Corps, who died at Passchendaele 04/08/1917, every year this young soldier is remembered in my home.
This was a lovely film. There is another one that I think is just as good, but also very different: watch?v=UixYxsPFoqc This is The Unknown Warrior Story | The Bands of HM Royal Marines.
Hi mark , it’s your thirst for knowledge that’s creating your excitement there is no need for guilt what so ever 👍, maybe someone might mention this before me so forgive the old news but since the marriage of the queen mum every royal bride leaves her wedding bouquet on the the tomb of the unknown warrior 👍
There is another version of this story that was done a year or two ago at the Festival of Remembrance, available on UA-cam somewhere, with the Marine band and narrated by - I think - Rowan Atkinson. It was done to mark the centennial of the unknown warrior, mixing old film with live music and action. Very moving with music.
There is always new things to learn or sometimes to remember. I'd forgotten about the four bodies being exhumed. And I don't even know, but will look it up how the French chose their unknown warrior. I remember seeing the tomb of the unknown warrior in Paris as a child back in the late 70s. In the 90s I got to travel to the US for a conference in Washington DC. My colleague and had a spare afternoon off so we did a whistle stop tour visiting the main sites including Arlington and the tomb of the unknown soldier. So sad that so many lives were lost. To think it was believed it would be the war to end all wars and 100 years on the world is still in turmoil.
You can not be guilty for wanting to commemorate with us Brits . We have lots of deep meaningful ways to not forget the sacrifices of others . Lest we Forget .
The search for truth is nothing to feel guilty about, history cannot be changed but only learnt from, the failure to learn from such sacrifice is the disservice, the joy of learning is not.
@@MarkfromtheStates keep going Sir, ignore the detractors they have nothing in their lives, but to berate others to compensate for their own shortcomings.
I wouldn't feel guilty, my grandparents from this generation who fought in both wars and people I've known and worked with from the various Forces would be pleased that you want to learn more about the tradition of how this came about, and also The Queen Mother who was our last Queen Consort to our late Queens Father King George, started the tradition of placing the brides bouquet on the Tomb, so every royal bride since the Queen Mother married Prince Albert have placed it on there, and poppies are put on it on the 11th November. I don't know what you'll be like watching our services from Whitehall and The Royal Albert Hall, they're extremely emotional, I'd get a big box of tissues at the ready. I don't know if you've watched anything from when our late Majesty passed away, but again it was rolling news but you'll get a good idea again of our traditions
@@MarkfromtheStates coverage from both BBC and ITV there is a lot of coverage right from when they announced that the Queens health was causing some concern, which they'd never put out, normally it would be something along the lines of the mobility issues she'd been having and doing well, but when they appeared in black for the announcement six hours beforehand we all knew it wasn't looking good. The process has been rehearsed many times over the decades, Operation London Bridge, changed to Operation Unicorn because HM passed away in Scotland, only when she crossed the borders did it revert back to London Bridge. The King and Queen Consort became so as soon as the Queen drew her last breath, then they flew back to London on the Friday, the King then recorded his first address for the UK and Commonwealth which went out worldwide, and then he didn't really get any time to grieve until after the funeral, the two had to go through the proclamation in the four countries which make up the UK, at a guess there's a good couple of hundred hours over the eleven days from passing away to funeral
@@MarkfromtheStates you probably have, no disrespect but the channels covering it from the States and a couple of other countries, but not ones connected to the UK via the Commonwealth they tended to have got some things completely wrong, didn't do their homework, would give the family wrong titles, couple of times HRH for our late Queen who hadn't held that title since February 1952 they did it during The Platinum Jubilee as well, and would call our new Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, completely missed out the Queens Nephew and Niece at both occasions even though the Nephew was walking behind his Aunts coffin with the other male family members, had Peter Philips married to Princess Anne that's her son, it's a long list, I know your country and others don't share our family, but on such occasions you'd think they'd read up on everything, after all as with the other media they've had all the notes for many years
Don't listen to the idiots Mark. The whole idea of watching a reactor is you want to hear what they have to say. Not been a subscriber for long but I'm enjoying your videos. Keep it up m8
Britain was the first to honor in this way an "unknown " soldier. The queen mother was the first royal bride to lay her flowers on the Warriors gravein menory of her brother David who was killed in the first world war, royal brides have done it since.
Mark They mentioned Nurse Edith Cavell who was executed by the Germans for helping Allied troops escape back to the UK. Have a look at her story here on YT. There is also a full film of her story free to watch on YT. There is a statue to Nurse Cavell just to the North East of Trafalgar Square.
For me the most poignant moment of the Festival of Remembrance is during the 2 minute silence when the poppy petals fall from the ceiling. 1 for each member of the forced killed in conflicts starting with WW1.
Unfortunately can't offer a source, but on Nov 11th at the time of ceasefire, a German Office climbed out of their trenches stood, removed his cap and bowed to the British: a tribute from one soldier to his opponents.
Vera Brittan lost her fiance, her brother and her dear friend in the first world war. She told a vicar who had been extolling the virtues of Empire to not speak to her of God King and Country. "God, King and Country has robbed me of all I loved" she forcifully retorted. "Lions led by donkeys" was a sentiment that didn't take long to be adopted by the British public. Those untold thousands were not the only casualties of the Great War. The blind trust in authority was left on the fields of Flanders. As a nation, we were never the same. We are noted for being a cynical lot, and to a large extent that's true. I often wonder if that cynicism came out of the broken earth of the battlegrounds with the poppies and the tears.
@@MarkfromtheStates Thank you Mark. WW1 fascinates me. It's certainly an unholy fascination seeing as the generals had blackboards with 'lives lost / yards gained' on them. Trench warfare was created as a response to the mechanisation of war. The increasing size of artillery and the development of the machine gun met with inadequate 19th century strategy. The sheer loss of life was astounding. An entire generation of women went unmarried into spinsterhood here in the UK as most young men of their age were killed in the trenches or in no man's land. The battle that we most remember is the Somme, and especially the first day. The insanity of sending wave after wave of soldiers to slowly walk into hails of machine gun fire. It was utter folly. Tens of thousands of lives were lost that day. A day where the Times of London reported "Not a bad day for England. Some gains, some losses..." The flower of England lay, face down in the mud. It was the meat grinder to end all meat grinders. There is a memorial called the Menin gate. It's enormous and covered from top to toe not in the names of the dead, but in the names of those that were dead and missing. In order not to sink into the mud soldiers were hopping onto corpses, using them as duck boards. All wars are terrible. But the Great War carried a horror all its own.
check out the Royal British Legion "Festival of Remembrance"what is moving is at the minutes Silence at the end they release paper poppy leaves from the roof, one for each British and commonwealth soldier killed in WW1. Even after 73 years my reaction is "wow"
Re: the people who don’t like listening to you talk, well why are they watching a reaction video?! It is easy enough to find and watch the original vid sans reactor, if that is what they want. Some people, in real life and online, just live to complain - miserable so-and-sos. 🙄
Mark, I have a question, more about America, and its probably a cultural thing, as you know we have been thru 2 world wars, as well as yourselves through the second from 1943, and together side by side though the middle east as the 2 greatest allys in the world. My question, i see it ofter, Why veterans in america seem to have the need to wear there uniforms after service, i served and my brother served as many british through the years, You never see it here, maybe once a year on the 11th november, we never ask for discounts in eating places or the need to show it, as we would say its not good form
Not sure but maybe it is a cultural thing like with flying the flag and other patriotic symbols. I feel that maybe the British are more reserved in that regard. It could also be that more people in the UK have served in the military in relation to the overall population. I could go for days without seeing a Veteran while I don't think that would be true in the UK. Good question
Just a minor criticism, Mark - Remembrance Day is a very solemn day for us in the UK. maybe you could say 'ceremonies' rather than 'festivities'. It might be more appropriate
Mark... we do not regard the events around Armistice Day (11/11____) as "festivities" We think of them as commemorative occasions. The laying down of wreathes of poppies at the Cenotaph, the bowing, the salutes, the march past, the honours paid to the Unknown Soldier, the fading memories as each old serviceman passes, the families who continue year after year to come to Remember... These are _not_ 'festivals'. They are our way, especially those of us not yet born when those servicemen died for us, to thank them. To never forget them or what they did, for the lives lost to needless wars and conflicts throughout history... "They shall not grow old as we who are left, grow old Age will not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We _will_ remember them." 😢💔
@@MarkfromtheStates That is the occasion held at *The Royal Albert Hall*, yes (as far as I recall*...) Where the "Last Night of the Proms" is also held each year. But in general, the word "Festival" to me conjures up a less formal, more jovial affair, which the Service of Remembrance is more formal (less "jolly" ?!) This is probably just me misinterpreting the whole thing. Sorry. I've been out of touch since my sight nearly failed with the cataracts but now that I can see again, I'll try to get back into watching the services if I can.
Hi did you know that to commemorate the end of the 1st world war. They had thousands of candles that were lite in the moat of the Tower of London. It’s on you tube. Look for flames of the Tower of London.
A mere destoyer being escorted by 6 drougnot battleships is absolutely unheard of and a guard of honour of 100 VCs! That is what I call respect!
The annual Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph is awe inspiring. The buglers playing the Last post, the field gun at the end of the 2 minutes silence, the entire ceremony is unsurpassable and a reason I shall always be proud to be British.
At the wedding of Prince Albert (second in line to the throne but who became King George VI in 1936) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Elizabeth (later to become the Queen Mother), laid her bridal bouquet on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in memory of her brother who was killed during the war. Ever since, it has become a tradition that all royal brides who are married in Westminster Abbey follow this custom. The bouquets remain there until they start to wilt. I have seen the bouquets of Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, Princess Diana, Duchess of York and our present Princess of Wales, Catherine.
Wow thanks Sue.
That is really something special to recall, Sue. I'm proud and wished I could have seen at least one of them.
During Lockdown for the pandemic, the Queen came to an empty Westminster Abbey with her equerry. She stood head bowed and wearing a face mask, as the Dean of Westminster said prayers, then she laid on the Tomb a copy of her own bridal bouquet. It was incredibly moving.
As a Scottish nationalist I’m not one for British symbolism but those that died in the world wars are sacred. It’s a nice tradition to have and if she did it instinctively that’s really sweet.
@@boxtradums0073 You DO realise that the things that you think of as Scottish - the Stone of Scone, the Wallace statue, the huge memorial to Sir Walter Scott and so on, are ALL British? If you live in the island of Great Britain, then you are British. Scotland is just one country of Great Britain.
the tomb is given such great reverence that no one, not even royalty, are allowed to step foot upon it.
I've known this story my whole life, it still makes me emotional every time it's recounted.
✌️🏴🇬🇧
@@simonmetcalfe5926 Simon are you related to the Metcalfe's in Hull East Yorkshire, Craig and Jason my nephews ?
@@angelabushby1891 No, I don't have any family in Yorkshire. All my family in England, are in Lancashire, Merseyside and Gtr Manchester.
Very moving . The part with the 100 women chosen from 15, 000 who lost a husband and all of her sons just puts it into perspective . Very sad .
So true
@@MarkfromtheStates
There is a war memorial the only one in Scotland not in stone in a tiny church for a farming valley .
Some Families lost several member ,Brothers Uncles Sons Nephews . The village did not have men to continue , so a written memorial was done , the church is in the Scottish Borders .
Oh wow
Being British I knew about the unknown warrior - or at least I thought I did. This has shown me that there was so much more to know. Beginning with whose idea it was originally and how the soldier was chosen, I had given no thought to those things. So much thought and careful planning going into every detail from then onwards. The special coffin, the antique 'warriors' sword mounted on top. The great respect with which he was treated on his journey back to England. Very moving. I look forward to Remembrance Day, the wreath laying at the local cenotaph, members of my family have taken turns to lay a small wreath to remember my grt grandfather who died in WW1. We watch the filming of the Royal family and dignitaries laying wreaths at the big cenotaph shown in this film. It is a sad occasion and many tears are shed but it is important to keep it going - "lest we forget".
Thank you for choosing this.
Thanks for watching with me
m.ua-cam.com/video/UixYxsPFoqc/v-deo.html watch this the same story but told a bit better
I have watched and it's on the channel... It was so good
Don't feel guilty Mark , I was crying along with you . The music " Nimrod " and the trumpet at the end always get to me .🇬🇧
Thank you
Seeing the poppies drop from the ceiling at the end of the festival of remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, gets me every time. It truly brings home the enormous numbers of our finest who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Looking forward to seeing this
Don't feel guilty sir ,feel pride .... That's what we do .... Those men and boys gave their lives for us to live in freedom , once a year at 11am on 11th of November we give then 2 minutes just so we can say thank you and remember their sacrifice ..... Not a bad trade off I think .
Another great vid mark , thank you .
Thank you Dave
What I think is so wonderful is that the Unknown Warrior could be either a sailor, soldier or airman, of any rank from any of the Commonwealth countries who fought in WW1.
Well it clearly said 4 British. soldiers were dug up- don't know what a sailor would be doing on the Somme!
@@CarolWoosey-ck2rgNavy personnel fought as part of the infantry in WW1 and obviously airmen were shot down ...That's why it's called the tomb of the unknown warrior ,not soldier as in other parts of the world .
Mark there is no reason to feel guilty for what you seek to know. I know how you feel, i to wear my heart on my sleeve so to speak. Very moving when you see stuff like this. I often ask my grandchildren especially those who have grown up what this is about and they do not know. Stuff like this is not taught in schools these days and I find it quite annoying. How are we supposed to prevent these events from happening again and again. Politicians need to learn from it as well as its not them that are on the front lines. We never seem to learn from mankind's mistakes. A very nice video to do a reaction on. Keep up the good work.
Thank you sir... Appreciate the support and the kind words
The railway van used to transport the coffin was identified in 1991 when it was withdrawn from service as a storage van. It was moved to the Kent & East Suffolk Railway for restoration. It was finally restored for the 90th anniversary in 2010. The "Cavell Van" is now at The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum and is usually on display at Bodiam Station.
For over 70 years I’ve known/seen this story and each time tears well up in my eyes
If you go to every British local town war memorial, you’ll see the names of people who fought in the Great War. Many from the same families. Every year we gather around on Remembrance Day to honour them
So nice
I am so proud that my 17yr old son insists on coming with me each year to our home town memorial service to remember our family members who's names are inscribed. We will remember them still rings strong and true in our family.
Lovely video Mark, being British I’m very well aware of this story and the unknown soldier but this still made me choked up and teary, by the way, yap on as much as you want I like to hear what you’ve got to say, that’s why we’re here.
You’re doing great.
Every year I look forward to our Remembrance Day but that’s because I enjoy seeing the honour we give our glorious dead.
We will remember them.
Dont feel guilty. You are doing what is intended. Remember the fallen and give prayers for their souls and a focal point for those familieswho lost dear ones and cant visit their graves. Thank you for showing us this and your quiet dignity.
Thank you
Fun fact the British Unknown Warrior was awarded the American Medal of Honor & the American Unknown Warrior was awarded the Victoria Cross
That is so cool... Wow
As mentioned Royal Brides place their bouquets 💐 there, it's simplicity still helps to convey such powerful emotions and gratitude over a 100 years later..We shall remember them, Lest we Forget
You say a couple of people say (I'm your own words), that "you yap too much". Speaking for myself, I think it's great that you find your content so interesting, and that you're so enthusiastic about it. So all i can say is.. Yap away my friend.. Yap away. Jed.. South Coast England 😊
I appreciate that. Thank you Jed
Glory to the Heroes of all the allied nations.
Good Afternoon Mark, I remember about 40 years ago and going into Westminster Abbey and looking at the tomb of the unknown soldier, it was a Cold November Day and I just thought at the time about all the souls who died for their Countries
Ya it hits pretty hard in person
Very moving film.
Thank you so much Mark for reacting to this.
Thanks for watching with me
The Cenotaph was built as a temporary structure, but replaces by permanent when it became a focal point for those who had no known grave. It is a solemn event, on Remembrance Sunday wreaths are laid by numerous people from UK and the world. A march past followed the brief service. Always watch it, sad, but humbling reminder of lives given for us. No festivities but a day of mourning.
So special
@@reluctantheist5224 thanks for spotting predictive text.
The Last post makes me cry every time.
Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 😢
Well done sir, I always cry too .
The tomb is called the "Tomb of The Unknown Warrior" not the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," though it is frequently referred to as such. He was almost certainly a soldier but he could have been an airman in the Royal Flying Corps, later the RAF, or a member of the Royal Naval Air Service or the Royal Naval Division, so technically a sailor.
On 26th April 1923 the late queen's mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, on her wedding day, laid her wedding bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior as she entered Westminster Abbey. Since then, every royal bride, married in in Westminster Abbey has laid her wedding bouquet on the tomb.
So cool
I was able to buy one of those poppies. I initially wasn’t sure that it could be sent overseas. Each Armistice Day, I take it out of its package and display it. In the UK, we all buy material poppies being sold in schools and on the corners. You’ll see the RF wear poppies on their outfits and uniforms as, in the years gone by, the Queen would lay a wreath of poppies at the Cenotaph. Thank you for letting us watch this with you. I miss seeing poppies being worn on on lapels in November now I’m in the US. I love watching the parade and guarding of the US Tomb of the Unknown. Both remembrances are emotional.
Well I'm ordering some for sure. There is a HQ for the Royal British Legion in San Fran.
@@MarkfromtheStates if you ever come out this way, DM all your Bay Area followers so that we can show you what a beautiful place this is.
I've been many times. Son lives in Sacramento and my wife is from Marin County
I'll still shout next time we go
@@MarkfromtheStates I’m off to Sacramento tomorrow. Always interesting to see what the traffic is like. I always tell my clients I’ll be there at something of Ian depending on the traffics l on 1-80. I shall just put some Motown on with e some Blues and reggae and see what happens. I’m
Utility van 132 is preserved on the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Bodiam Station. There is a replica of the coffin in the van as well as information about Edith Cavell and Captain Fryatt.
So cool
My Grandfather was killed in 1916 and my father didn't remember him...I managed to buy one of the Tower of London poppies in remembrance of him. It is in my study and I am looking at it now.
R.I.P.
Even Queen Elizabeth was carried around the tomb at her funeral service and not over it. Get ya poppies ppl
Hi Mark, the background music in the video is by two British composers, firstly Karl Jenkins' 'Benedictus' from The Armed Man, then Sir Edward Elgar's 'Nimrod' which is played by the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards at the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday.
Very nice thanks for the info
Sir Karl Jenkins was educated in music at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music: of the latter, he is a fellow and an Associate. He joined the jazz-rock band Soft Machine in 1972 and became the group's lead songwriter in 1974. Jenkins continued to work with Soft Machine up to 1984, but has not been involved with any incarnation of the group since. Jenkins has composed music for advertisement campaigns and has won the industry prize twice.
Ramble all you want lovely. It's your channel after all. When I say lovely I'm welsh and we all call people lovely! so relax I'm not after you! x
Oh bummer. LOL
1:52 into the video & the tears have already started. My family were bombed in the Blitz & lost souls in WW1. I had three great Aunts the oldest of which was born either a year before or after Titanic sank (I can never remember which) that lived together & never married. When I asked why they simply said, there were too few men left alive to marry....I have great difficulty getting my head around such heartbreaking carnage, & we really must never, ever forget.
Absolutely
Nobody is aloud to walk on that Grave
We will remember them.
Your doing a great Job Mark,your keeping there memories alive
Oh wow thanks for the kind words
@@MarkfromtheStates love you channel,first time watching today😊
My first cousin once removed died at the Somme. I like to think that he might be the Unknown Warrior. I love your channel - and your 'rambling on' ( I consider it setting the stage) at the start of your videos. 🥰
Thank you so much... Very nice
The fact popies usually grow where these men died because they need a lot of light.
Incredible
Don't feel guilty if you're showing this much respect towards all these video's that is more than enough your emotions are valid and true so for that Thank You from the UK
Thanks David
Thanks Mark!
My pleasure!
@Mark Masterton. Don't feel guilt for watching the ceremonies. What you ARE doing by watching, exploring and sharing your reactions is Remembering those who paid the price. Thus, they are never forgotten, always remembered.
Thank you Maya
They shall not grow old is a must watch sir, Peter Jackson has brought 100 year old footage of world war 1 back to life like it was filmed yesterday. The schools in the uk use the film for history lessons, and it was commissioned to be made for the 100 year anniversary
I'm interested in seeing that
Nice one 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
never feel down or in despair.....feel proud to be free.
Absolutely
Wonderful story. You should also watch the marines version.
I'll look for it... Thanks
As you know, being an ex armed forces veteran, this is probably the most proudest moments, cellabrated in the uk calender.
There is another rememberance day, virtually forgotten and/or ignored by the majority of the UK, 3rd September is Merchant Nave Day. in both world wars men sailed in unarmed ships to keep the UK supplied with food and resources, at risk of attack by enemy surface raiders and submarines, and in WWII also long range anti shipping aircraft. To quite from the web site "Merchant Navy Day campaign was started in 2015 to address ‘sea blindness’ that appeared to afflict a huge proportion of the population".
Oh wow
@@MarkfromtheStates My father was a merchant seaman (ships carpenter, probably carpenters mate in WWII), his ship was commandeered as a troop transport in WII, he spent a while bobbing about in the Bay of Biscay (loaded with troops), after a torpedo "removed" it's rudder, made it's way home steering using the propellers , was refitted and took part in the D-Day landings. Many of his companies colleagues on convoy and other duties were less "lucky".
Ugh that must of been crazy
@@MarkfromtheStates He never said anything about it, when we were kids (1950s/60s) he was away 6 weeks (Southampton to South Africa and back) and home 2 weeks (1 week leave, 1 week preparing for the next trip). I have some of his documents showing he was on Llangibby Castle during that time - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Llangibby_Castle
So cool thanks for the link
Everytime I hear this story it makes me cry and every royal bride has her bouquet placed on the tomb I had the privilege to go to Westminster after William and Catherine married and it's a beautiful place
Very nice
The poppies represent every life lost during the war some 880,000I think
It's always made me wounder. The Americans have the unknown soldier. In my mind that's the army.
There is no unknown pilot or sailor etc.
Ours is the unknown warrior so it includes all braches of the military 🪖.
Interesting... I'll need to look this up
@@MarkfromtheStates All branches of the armed forces were involved on the battlefields of WWI. The Army, the Royal Air Force and the sailors and Marines of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Therefore, the body of the Unknown Warrior could indeed be from any service and not just the Army, making the term, Soldier, redundant.
@@59jalex Here in the US, we have laid a body of an Unknown Soldier from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. After DNA analysis became a thing, the body of the Vietnam Unknown was disinterred and DNA tested against the DNA of families who had family members still missing in action. They received a match and the Vietnam Unknown turned out to be an Air Force officer, a pilot. He was reburied near his family home. No one occupies that particular tomb any longer. Coincidently, that officer was flying A-37 attack jets out of Bien Hoa AB while I was stationed there as a Marine and he was shot down near An Loc, a major battle location in 1972.
Wow I didn't know this. Thank you
This was interesting. A lot of it, I did not know. You may like a song called The Green Fields of France. My favourite version is by Damh the Bard.
No need for guilt, you feel a natural pull towards a deeper understanding of your UK family, because you are family to us now.
Not sure if you can see the big smile 😊. Thanks
This is so very moving.
I am so privileged to own one of the Poppies from the Tower of London which will be passed to my son, it takes pride of place in my home, I also have a poppy badge to commemorates the great battle of Passchendaele the badge is made from some of the shells found in the trenches in France mixed with the mud and made into a beautiful broach with a commemorate of the life of Private J Moore, Machine Gun Corps, who died at Passchendaele 04/08/1917, every year this young soldier is remembered in my home.
Thank you Maria
This was a lovely film. There is another one that I think is just as good, but also very different: watch?v=UixYxsPFoqc This is The Unknown Warrior Story | The Bands of HM Royal Marines.
It's incredibly emotional. x
Absolutely...barely held it together.
War has no winners ❤
very true
Hi mark , it’s your thirst for knowledge that’s creating your excitement there is no need for guilt what so ever 👍, maybe someone might mention this before me so forgive the old news but since the marriage of the queen mum every royal bride leaves her wedding bouquet on the the tomb of the unknown warrior 👍
Love this thank you
There is another version of this story that was done a year or two ago at the Festival of Remembrance, available on UA-cam somewhere, with the Marine band and narrated by - I think - Rowan Atkinson. It was done to mark the centennial of the unknown warrior, mixing old film with live music and action. Very moving with music.
Yes I've watched it...its on the channel. So amazing. Thanks Joan
There is always new things to learn or sometimes to remember. I'd forgotten about the four bodies being exhumed. And I don't even know, but will look it up how the French chose their unknown warrior. I remember seeing the tomb of the unknown warrior in Paris as a child back in the late 70s.
In the 90s I got to travel to the US for a conference in Washington DC. My colleague and had a spare afternoon off so we did a whistle stop tour visiting the main sites including Arlington and the tomb of the unknown soldier.
So sad that so many lives were lost. To think it was believed it would be the war to end all wars and 100 years on the world is still in turmoil.
Absolutely. I'm taking my kids to DC next summer
@@MarkfromtheStates it's a visit they will always remember.
Crazy thing is... I've never been myself... Prolly more excited than they are
You can not be guilty for wanting to commemorate with us Brits .
We have lots of deep meaningful ways to not forget the sacrifices of others .
Lest we Forget .
Thank you Lesley
The search for truth is nothing to feel guilty about, history cannot be changed but only learnt from, the failure to learn from such sacrifice is the disservice, the joy of learning is not.
Thank you Jono
@@MarkfromtheStates keep going Sir, ignore the detractors they have nothing in their lives, but to berate others to compensate for their own shortcomings.
Amen
My great uncle doesn’t have a grave. He was declared missing presumed dead in may 1915. He has a plaque in Dud Corner Cemetery
Thanks for sharing this
Please remember,their is no guilt,or shame, in knowledge.
Thank you
I wouldn't feel guilty, my grandparents from this generation who fought in both wars and people I've known and worked with from the various Forces would be pleased that you want to learn more about the tradition of how this came about, and also The Queen Mother who was our last Queen Consort to our late Queens Father King George, started the tradition of placing the brides bouquet on the Tomb, so every royal bride since the Queen Mother married Prince Albert have placed it on there, and poppies are put on it on the 11th November. I don't know what you'll be like watching our services from Whitehall and The Royal Albert Hall, they're extremely emotional, I'd get a big box of tissues at the ready.
I don't know if you've watched anything from when our late Majesty passed away, but again it was rolling news but you'll get a good idea again of our traditions
Haven't seen any of the Queens goodbye but would like to. Thanks for this
@@MarkfromtheStates coverage from both BBC and ITV there is a lot of coverage right from when they announced that the Queens health was causing some concern, which they'd never put out, normally it would be something along the lines of the mobility issues she'd been having and doing well, but when they appeared in black for the announcement six hours beforehand we all knew it wasn't looking good.
The process has been rehearsed many times over the decades, Operation London Bridge, changed to Operation Unicorn because HM passed away in Scotland, only when she crossed the borders did it revert back to London Bridge. The King and Queen Consort became so as soon as the Queen drew her last breath, then they flew back to London on the Friday, the King then recorded his first address for the UK and Commonwealth which went out worldwide, and then he didn't really get any time to grieve until after the funeral, the two had to go through the proclamation in the four countries which make up the UK, at a guess there's a good couple of hundred hours over the eleven days from passing away to funeral
Well I now think I've seen some that includes King Charles
@@MarkfromtheStates you probably have, no disrespect but the channels covering it from the States and a couple of other countries, but not ones connected to the UK via the Commonwealth they tended to have got some things completely wrong, didn't do their homework, would give the family wrong titles, couple of times HRH for our late Queen who hadn't held that title since February 1952 they did it during The Platinum Jubilee as well, and would call our new Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, completely missed out the Queens Nephew and Niece at both occasions even though the Nephew was walking behind his Aunts coffin with the other male family members, had Peter Philips married to Princess Anne that's her son, it's a long list, I know your country and others don't share our family, but on such occasions you'd think they'd read up on everything, after all as with the other media they've had all the notes for many years
Oh ya our media sucks
Don't listen to the idiots Mark. The whole idea of watching a reactor is you want to hear what they have to say. Not been a subscriber for long but I'm enjoying your videos. Keep it up m8
It doesn't bother me. Appreciate them coming along and then taking the time to reach out... Lol
Lest we forget
The bugle call is Last Post and is played at lights out. We have 2 versions. The Cavalry have their own version. I'm not sure why.
The bugle is so haunting but wonderful
Britain was the first to honor in this way an "unknown " soldier. The queen mother was the first royal bride to lay her flowers on the Warriors gravein menory of her brother David who was killed in the first world war, royal brides have done it since.
So good
Mark They mentioned Nurse Edith Cavell who was executed by the Germans for helping Allied troops escape back to the UK. Have a look at her story here on YT. There is also a full film of her story free to watch on YT. There is a statue to Nurse Cavell just to the North East of Trafalgar Square.
Wow cool
For me the most poignant moment of the Festival of Remembrance is during the 2 minute silence when the poppy petals fall from the ceiling. 1 for each member of the forced killed in conflicts starting with WW1.
Oh yeah for sure
Good man.
Unfortunately can't offer a source, but on Nov 11th at the time of ceasefire, a German Office climbed out of their trenches stood, removed his cap and bowed to the British: a tribute from one soldier to his opponents.
Vera Brittan lost her fiance, her brother and her dear friend in the first world war. She told a vicar who had been extolling the virtues of Empire to not speak to her of God King and Country. "God, King and Country has robbed me of all I loved" she forcifully retorted.
"Lions led by donkeys" was a sentiment that didn't take long to be adopted by the British public.
Those untold thousands were not the only casualties of the Great War. The blind trust in authority was left on the fields of Flanders. As a nation, we were never the same. We are noted for being a cynical lot, and to a large extent that's true.
I often wonder if that cynicism came out of the broken earth of the battlegrounds with the poppies and the tears.
This was very cool
@@MarkfromtheStates Thank you Mark. WW1 fascinates me. It's certainly an unholy fascination seeing as the generals had blackboards with 'lives lost / yards gained' on them. Trench warfare was created as a response to the mechanisation of war. The increasing size of artillery and the development of the machine gun met with inadequate 19th century strategy.
The sheer loss of life was astounding. An entire generation of women went unmarried into spinsterhood here in the UK as most young men of their age were killed in the trenches or in no man's land.
The battle that we most remember is the Somme, and especially the first day. The insanity of sending wave after wave of soldiers to slowly walk into hails of machine gun fire. It was utter folly. Tens of thousands of lives were lost that day. A day where the Times of London reported "Not a bad day for England. Some gains, some losses..." The flower of England lay, face down in the mud.
It was the meat grinder to end all meat grinders. There is a memorial called the Menin gate. It's enormous and covered from top to toe not in the names of the dead, but in the names of those that were dead and missing.
In order not to sink into the mud soldiers were hopping onto corpses, using them as duck boards.
All wars are terrible. But the Great War carried a horror all its own.
Mark might I suggest you review The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. It conjures up the English countryside in bygone days.
check out the Royal British Legion "Festival of Remembrance"what is moving is at the minutes Silence at the end they release paper poppy leaves from the roof, one for each British and commonwealth soldier killed in WW1. Even after 73 years my reaction is "wow"
Plan on seeing that
You might like to look up the Commonwealth war memorial's as well
Thank you
I cry every time I hear the last post,thank you for your interest never feel guilty about that,from bristol uk
Thanks Jill
Re: the people who don’t like listening to you talk, well why are they watching a reaction video?! It is easy enough to find and watch the original vid sans reactor, if that is what they want. Some people, in real life and online, just live to complain - miserable so-and-sos. 🙄
Lol I know right but anyways I'm glad they came along
Now one
Mark, I have a question, more about America, and its probably a cultural thing, as you know we have been thru 2 world wars, as well as yourselves through the second from 1943, and together side by side though the middle east as the 2 greatest allys in the world.
My question, i see it ofter, Why veterans in america seem to have the need to wear there uniforms after service, i served and my brother served as many british through the years, You never see it here, maybe once a year on the 11th november, we never ask for discounts in eating places or the need to show it, as we would say its not good form
Not sure but maybe it is a cultural thing like with flying the flag and other patriotic symbols. I feel that maybe the British are more reserved in that regard. It could also be that more people in the UK have served in the military in relation to the overall population. I could go for days without seeing a Veteran while I don't think that would be true in the UK. Good question
Just a minor criticism, Mark - Remembrance Day is a very solemn day for us in the UK. maybe you could say 'ceremonies' rather than 'festivities'. It might be more appropriate
Yes noted thank you. Good point
But the Festival of Remembrance f is the night before broadcast on BBC1 from the Albert Hall.
Getting the VPN ready
Mark... we do not regard the events around Armistice Day (11/11____) as "festivities"
We think of them as commemorative occasions. The laying down of wreathes of poppies at the Cenotaph, the bowing, the salutes, the march past, the honours paid to the Unknown Soldier, the fading memories as each old serviceman passes, the families who continue year after year to come to Remember...
These are _not_ 'festivals'. They are our way, especially those of us not yet born when those servicemen died for us, to thank them. To never forget them or what they did, for the lives lost to needless wars and conflicts throughout history...
"They shall not grow old as we who are left, grow old
Age will not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We _will_ remember them." 😢💔
Is it not called the Festival of Remembrance? Or is that just the Saturday night program?
@@MarkfromtheStates
That is the occasion held at *The Royal Albert Hall*, yes (as far as I recall*...)
Where the "Last Night of the Proms" is also held each year. But in general, the word "Festival" to me conjures up a less formal, more jovial affair, which the Service of Remembrance is more formal (less "jolly" ?!) This is probably just me misinterpreting the whole thing. Sorry. I've been out of touch since my sight nearly failed with the cataracts but now that I can see again, I'll try to get back into watching the services if I can.
Hi did you know that to commemorate the end of the 1st world war. They had thousands of candles that were lite in the moat of the Tower of London. It’s on you tube. Look for flames of the Tower of London.
Ooh I will
Look up what it takes to win a V C
With Jeremy Clarkson . Cheers
Ok
🇦🇲😊
Sorry that was a mistak,i was trying to find something,did not relise i had pressed the wrong thing😮
Nobody