Remembrance is an opportunity for us to come together, united across faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, and honour those who have served and sacrificed as part of our Armed Forces, emergency services and as civilian volunteers.
An Act of Remembrance is an event which can be held to honour the fallen and those affected by conflict. Remembrance can occur at any time of the year, including anniversaries of significant events.
Holding an Act of Remembrance can also show support for ex-service personnel, those who are currently serving, and their families.
You may wish to hold an Act of Remembrance on the anniversary of a significant event. Below are lists of key dates which may help you decide when to hold an Act of Remembrance.
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War with Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8th May 1945 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on 15th August 1945. The RBL held events to mark VE Day and is planning to hold events which will mark VJ Day later this year to ensure that the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation is always remembered.
EVENTS HELD DURING REMEMBRANCETIDE
Remembrancetide takes place in the weeks leading up to Armistice day and Remembrance Sunday.
The Royal British Legion is responsible for organising national, regional, and sometimes local ceremonies of Remembrance to reflect the nation's belief that the human cost of war should not be forgotten.
The Royal British Legion is best known for this, and our emblem, the red poppy. Every year, we mobilise a countrywide network of Poppy Appeal collectors to meet the huge public demand for poppies, the nation's symbol of Remembrance.
The Poppy Appeal raises about half of the funds needed for our welfare work every year.
▌Read more about the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal on our website.
We have always supported the traditional Remembrance Sunday services and the customary two-minute Silence on that day.
In addition, the two-minute Silence is observed at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This is Armistice Day - the day which marks the end of the First World War.
▌Learn more about Remembrance Sunday on our website.
The Festival of Remembrance is held every year at the Royal Albert Hall to pay tribute to all those who serve and those who have given their lives for our peace and freedom.
▌Read about the Festival of Remembrance 2025 and how to purchase tickets on the RBL website.
Tickets
Tickets are only available to RBL members in the first instance and this year, those wishing to attend must register for the ballot.
Ballot registration is open from 4th – 24th June. You can enter the ballot using the link below.
▌Find out more about entering the ballot for Festival of Remembrance tickets London on the RBL website.
If you are passionate about attending the Festival of Remembrance, becoming a member of the RBL will give you early access to tickets.
▌Learn more about becoming a member of the Royal British Legion here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
The Royal British Legion Northern Ireland District Festival of Remembrance 2025 will be held at the Assembly Buildings, Belfast on 25th October 2025.
▌Find out more about this years Festival of Remembrance being held in Northern Ireland on our website.
The following information applies to the 2024 Festival of Remembrance in Wales. Details of the 2025 event will be released closer to the time.
The Royal British Legion Wales Festival of Remembrance 2024 was held at the ICC Wales, Newport on Saturday 2nd November 2024.
The service held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, which is the second Sunday in November, is organised by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the March Past is organised by the Royal British Legion. It is a national opportunity to remember all those who have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom and way of life.
▌Find out more about the March Past at the Cenotaph, including information about attending the service here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
▌Find out more about the order of Precedence at Remembrance services here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
The Fields of Remembrance are open during October and November when thousands of personal tributes are planted across the UK. The tributes are made by members of the public for someone who served.
▌Read more about the Fields of Remembrance, including how to dedicate a tribute here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
▌Find out about ordering your own wooden Remembrance tribute here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
▌Read frequently asked questions about Remembrance here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
TAKING PART IN REMEMBRANCE
There are many ways that you can take part in Remembrance. The information below will tell you more about how to get involved.
If you would like to find out how to take part in the Cenotaph March Past as an individual or as part of an association, we have detailed guidance on our website.
▌Read more about how to apply to take part on the RBL website.
You can also attend the event as a spectator.
▌Read more about attending the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
Our volunteers help us to host our Remembrance events every year. From planting tributes in the Fields of Remembrance to supporting the team at the National Memorial Arboretum, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
▌Read more about volunteering with the Royal British Legion and the roles that are currently available on our website.
During the annual Poppy Appeal our volunteers make a real difference to the lives of people in the Armed Forces community.
If you would like to volunteer during the Poppy Appeal you can register your interest ahead of the appeal beginning in October.
▌Find out more about volunteering during the Poppy Appeal and register your interest on our website.
▌Read about volunteering for the Royal British Legion here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
If you wish to hold an Act of Remembrance, we have online resources to support you.
▌Find out more about the recommended Order of Service for an Act of Remembrance here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
▌Read the Kohima Epitaph and the Exhortation, here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
The guides below have been created by the Royal British Legion to support you and help others understand Remembrance.
Read the guidance for:
We have created a range of posters to help you commemorate Remembrance.
▌Read guidance for members and supports who are attending Remembrance events on our website.
We are delighted to have partnered with the National Literacy Trust to create a series of downloadable, free to use, lesson plans and assemblies aimed at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 that can be used to explain to children of different ages and backgrounds why, how and who we remember.
Find out more and download the resources from the Teaching Remembrance pages of our website.
Learn more about the National Literacy Trust on their website.
Find teaching resources for Youth Groups, created in partnership with Girlguiding, Cadets and Scouts on our website.
Get in touch
For more information about learning events, school visits, or to sign up for the Teaching Remembrance newsletter, please contact our team via:
Email: teachingremembrance@britishlegion.org.uk
Yes, you can march at Remembrance events as a LGBTQ+ veteran.
If you would like to march with others as part of an organisation which specialises in support for the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces community, you can apply to march with Fighting with Pride.
▌Visit the Fighting with Pride website to find out more about the charity.
Get in touch
Contact our Remembrance Team via:
Email: Remembrance@britishlegion.org.uk
More information
Find more information and guidance here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
Remembrance and the Order of Precedence
Finding service records from before 1920
Finding service records from 1920 onwards.
