Remembrance Day Hong Kong
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. The day is also marked by war remembrances in several other non-Commonwealth countries.
Crown Wine Cellars was built by the Royal British Engineers in 1937 and code-named ‘Little Hong Kong’. The structures were originally the Central Ordnance Munitions Depot, a critically secure storage facility for World War II ammunition and weapons. ‘Little Hong Kong’ famously became the last allied position in Hong Kong to surrender to the invading Japanese Army on 27 December, 1941.
As such, a wreath has been laid by Crown Wine Cellars at the Remembrance Day Ceremony for the past 20 years to show our respect and gratitude for all those who died in the two World Wars.
In most countries, Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of First World War hostilities. Hostilities ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. (“At the 11th hour” refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) The First World War formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.
The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day. The initial Armistice Day was observed at Buckingham Palace, commencing with King George V hosting a “Banquet in Honour of the President of the French Republic” during the evening hours of 10 November 1919. The first official Armistice Day was subsequently held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace the following morning. During the Second World War, many countries changed the name of the holiday. Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopted Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veterans Day.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
#lestweforget