- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will launch an online “Wall of Remembrance” to pay tribute to those who served in the World Wars.
- The initiative seeks to encourage the public to make their own VE Day tribute from their homes
- It will be available to the public from the 4 May 2020, ahead of VE Day on the 8 May 2020
- The CWGC has launched a digital campaign, calling on the public to take part in an act of virtual remembrance. As the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the Commission is encouraging people to pay tribute to those who served to secure our peace, in its new digital “Wall of Remembrance.”
Coronavirus restrictions have seen major VE Day commemorations cancelled or taking on new socially distant forms. The commission is inviting the public to take part in this act of remembrance and submit a tribute or photo as part of the new initiative.
On 8 May 1945, Nazi Germany formally surrendered, ending the Second World War in Europe. The British people had been at war for 2075 days. They had endured bombing and the loss of loved ones, but through adversity and hardship they survived. The darkest days were now firmly behind them, and people took to the streets to celebrate.
8 May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, better known as VE Day. Across the country many will be celebrating this victory, honouring the moment the most destructive conflict in European history finally came to an end. Throughout the celebrations however, it is important to remember those who gave their lives to bring about the end of the war and the defeat of Nazism.
The CWGC works to ensure that those who served and died during the Second World War are never forgotten. Millions of people from communities across the Commonwealth and the world served in the British armed forces during the Second World War, and hundreds of thousands gave their lives serving on land, at sea, and in the air.
The public can submit their tribute using #ShareYourTribute on social media, or upload on the CWGC website.
Victoria Wallace, Director General for the CWGC, said:
At this dark time, we want to give people a way to honour those brave men and women who gave their lives in the second World War, creating this virtual Wall of Remembrance, so they can take part in VE Day. Whether it is a simple thank you, a picture or a few lines of text, we want to collect as many tributes as possible. Despite trying circumstances, we will ensure that these men and women are remembered in perpetuity.
Alongside the online Wall of Remembrance the CWGC has launched a new podcast series “The 1.7 Million Stories of CWGC”. The series explores some of the stories of those who lost their lives, the history of the wars and how the CWGC is still doing its work today.
To add your tribute to the online Wall of Remembrance click here https://www.cwgc.org/share-your-tribute or share on social media using #ShareYourTribute
To listen to the podcast:
