Oxford will come together on Tuesday 11 November to mark Armistice Day, honouring the moment in 1918 when the guns of the First World War fell silent.
The Lord Mayor will mark the occasion with a ceremony and short service, starting at 10.55am, on the landing area at the top of the stairs in Oxford Town Hall.
The ceremony will be led by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Louise Upton. The City Rector, the Reverend Anthony Buckley, will lead a short prayer. There will be a two-minute silence at 11am. All are welcome to attend.
Armistice Day
Armistice Day commemorates the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne, France, at 5am on 11 November 1918. Six hours later, at 11am, the fighting ceased after four years of devastating conflict.
Since 1919, the nation has paused for a two-minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember those who lost their lives in service to their country.
The silence was introduced by King George V, inspired by Australian journalist and veteran Edward George Honey, who first proposed the idea of a period of national reflection.
Remembrance Sunday
Oxford will also mark Remembrance Sunday, on 9 November, with a parade to, and a service at, the War Memorial on St Giles. The parade will assemble in Magdalen Street East and West and march on from 10am, under the direction of the RSM on the day, WO1 James Massey from the Mercian Regiment.
The service will start at 10.45am, with a two minute silence at 11am.
If members of the public require a British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, an interpreter will be located on the junction of St Giles’ and Woodstock Road to the west of the dais.
Organisations attending the Parade include:
- The Salvation Army Band
- 4624 County of Oxford Movements Squadron
- Royal Auxiliary Air Force
- Activate Learning City of Oxford College
- Oxford Spires District Scouts
- Royal Air Force Cadets
- Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force
- Thames Valley Police Oxford Cadets
- Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Cadets
- Oxford University Officers' Training Corps (OUTC)
- St John Ambulance
- Oxford Nepalese Community
- Headington Rye Oxford Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
- Quebec Company Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force
- Girlguiding Oxford
Flying the flag
During the week leading up to Tuesday 11 November Royal British Legion Flag on Town Hall. On Sunday 9 November, the Union Flag on Carfax and Town Hall.
Road closures
Several road closures will be in place on Sunday 9 November from 12.01am to 2pm:
- The whole of St Giles’ will be closed
- Parking will be suspended during the Remembrance Sunday event
- The pavement on Banbury Road, opposite the war memorial, will be closed. Members of the public are advised to follow pedestrian diversions or use Woodstock Road
- Banbury Road from its junction with Parks Road to its junction with St Giles’
- Beaumont Street from its junction with St John Street to its junction with St Giles’
- Keble Road
- Junction from Keble Road to Blackhall Road
- Magdalen Street East and West
Comment
“Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday give us a moment to pause and reflect on the immense sacrifices made by so many in our armed forces and their families. As we stand together in silence, we honour the courage and selflessness of those who choose to serve, to protect the freedoms we hold dear. I encourage everyone to take a moment, wherever they are, to remember those who have died in the past, to thank those who serve in our armed forces today, and to hope for a peaceful future.”
Lord Mayor of Oxford Councillor Louise Upton
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