BIS staff observed two minutes’ silence at 11am on Wednesday 11 November, to remember those who have fought and died in conflicts since the First World War.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Permanent Secretary Martin Donnelly were among those who laid wreaths at the base of the Board of Trade memorial in the foyer of 1 Victoria Street. Around 900,000 British military personnel lost their lives in the First World War, among them over 300 Board of Trade employees.
The Secretary of State laid a wreath on behalf of BIS ministers and staff; Martin Donnelly laid one on behalf of Relatives and Friends; Wing Commander Philip Lamb laid one in memory of those with no known grave; Richard McDonald-Webb laid one in memory of the Board of Trade colleagues who died in the First World War; Chris Pope laid one on behalf of Retired Service Personnel; and Alan Humphries laid one on behalf of the War Memorial Research group. The BIS choir also sang at the ceremony.
Remembrance is part of modern British life, culture and heritage. The poppy is the symbol of remembrance and hope. During the First World War, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.
The first two minutes’ silence in Britain was held on 11 November 1919, when King George V asked the public to observe a two-minute silence at 11am.
From left to right:
Capt Heley, Wg Cdr Lamb, Christopher Pope, Perm Sec Martin Donnelly, Lt Col Cooper, SoS Sajid Javid, Gp Capt Harris, Richard McDonald-Webb, Alan Humpries, Cdr Ballantyne and Cdr Fitzsimmons.
Board of Trade War Memorial 