World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War, or the War to End All Wars, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. Each year on the 11th November at 11am, Remembrance Day, two minutes silence is held to remember all the servicemen and women who have fought and died in war. The first silence was in 1919, held to mark the end of the First World War in 1918, but nowadays Remembrance Day includes all wars, not just remembering those who fought in the First World War.
A traditional symbol of remembrance is the poppy, the flowers that grew on the battlefields during the First World War. People marked the end of the First World War in different ways and some of those ways are still used today to remember war and its impact on society. The First World War has been remembered in many different ways throughout the world, such as through art, literature, ceremonies and memorials. These help ensure that people’s experience of conflict and the names of those who served in them are not forgotten. Inscribing names in a book or on a memorial created a place for people to go and remember those they had lost. The Victoria Cross was awarded 628 times for action in the First World War and over 100 recipients have so far been identified as Freemasons of whom sixty-three were members of English Constitution lodges.
Brethren, we would like to commemorate Freemasons who fought and lost their lives in the battle actions and anniversaries on the WW1 battlefields of the Western Front and celebrate serving members of the Armed Forces by producing a booklet/magazine, which will look to celebrate the achievements of Freemasons in the Province of South Wales and also raise the profile of Freemasonry to the public. We have few precedents with which to approach this landmark but feel we need to mark this occasion and remember those who have lost their lives so we can have a brighter future.
With this, we request all Lodges to provide details of any veteran and current serving members of any branch of the Armed Forces. We would also like to have details of any brother who might have served in the Armed Forces but may no longer be with us. We will approach all the names that have been put forward and enquire if they would like to be part of this historic occasion. The official booklet/magazine will be launched at an event next year.
Please could all enquires and details be sent to W.Bro Moawia Bin-Sufyan who is leading this project:
Email: Moawia.binsufyan@nullgmail.com
Phone: 07836560618