The Unknown Warrior

[Jonathan Saunders]

90 years ago today the Unknown Warrior was transported from France on HMS Verdun and then from Dover to London for burial the next day, 11 Nov 1920.

The rail-van in which the body of the Unknown Warrior was transported had also been used to transport the bodies of Nurse Edith Cavell and Captain Charles Fryatt.

Today at the home of the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Tenterden, the "Cavell van", having been restored to its former glory, was "opened" to the public by Admiral Lord Boyce. To the best of my knwoledge it will remain at Tenterden and be open to the public - a very worthwhile detour for anyone that finds themselves in the area.

Regards,

Jonathan S

[Philip Wilson]

Thank you - 90 years have elapsed since the Cenotaph in its permanent form was unveiled by the King exactly at 11am on the 11 November 1920 and as the sounds of the eleven chimes faded away, the assembled crowd observed the two minutes silence that has become the norm on every Remembrance Sunday. A bugle sounded the last Post then the gun carriage containing the coffin of the Unknown Warrior made its way to Westminster Abbey, followed by the King, Field Marshall Haig, General French, Admiral Beaty, the Kings Ministers and a vast throng. As the procession entered the Abbey the cortege was met by a unique guard of honour 74 Victoria Cross recipients and 22 other Great War heroes lined the nave in homage. The main body of the Abbey was largely given over to war-widows. Following a brief Service the Unknown Warrior was lowered into his grave near the Great West Door. In a day filled with symbolism, the grave was refilled with earth brought from the battlefields. Over 40,000 members of the public filed past the tomb before the doors of the Abbey closed for the night.

Fragments of that momentus day can be viewed on British Pathe News.

[Ian Murphy]

Thank you - 90 years have elapsed since the Cenotaph in its permanent form was unveiled by the King exactly at 11am on the 11 November 1920 and as the sounds of the eleven chimes faded away, the assembled crowd observed the two minutes silence that has become the norm on every Remembrance Sunday. A bugle sounded the last Post then the gun carriage containing the coffin of the Unknown Warrior made its way to Westminster Abbey, followed by the King, Field Marshall Haig, General French, Admiral Beaty, the Kings Ministers and a vast throng. As the procession entered the Abbey the cortege was met by a unique guard of honour 74 Victoria Cross recipients and 22 other Great War heroes lined the nave in homage. The main body of the Abbey was largely given over to war-widows. Following a brief Service the Unknown Warrior was lowered into his grave near the Great West Door. In a day filled with symbolism, the grave was refilled with earth brought from the battlefields. Over 40,000 members of the public filed past the tomb before the doors of the Abbey closed for the night.

Fragments of that momentus day can be viewed on British Pathe News.

All,

It can also be viewed on the WFA homepage.

Hope this helps,

Ian.