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“War memorials are living social records of loss and continue to be a focus for Remembrance every November.

NOVEMBER brings a raft of services and acts of Remembrance.

National and community Remembrance was established in the wake of the First World War as such was the scale of losses that the anniversary of the Armistice became the focus every year of remembering.

War memorials were established and detailed the losses in every village, town and city. The memorials were expanded to record the losses of the Second World War, a little over 20 years later.

Those veterans who were deployed in the First World War passed away some time ago, and we are now almost at the same stage with only a small number of Second World War veterans still alive to provide a tangible living reminder of the importance of remembering those who sacrificed so much for our freedom and democracy.

Generations now risk having little or no direct knowledge of conflict – and of the situations endured by military personnel deployed in the wake of political decisions.

Whilst there have not been losses on the scale of the two 20th century world wars, there are losses recorded in conflicts around the world since then.

One way of keeping alive the memory of Remembrance would be to update those war memorials with the names of those lost in more recent conflicts from 1945 onwards. Although small in number, it also ensures their sacrifice is not forgotten.

For while school visits to the battlefields of Belgium, Holland and France are one way of keeping alive the history of conflict, not every child has the opportunity to participate. War memorials are living local social records of loss and continue to be a focus for Remembrance every November. Behind every name recorded is a personal story of sacrifice and loss.

Young people were once an important and key part of Remembrance services, many of which continue to be held in and around local churches. Today the numbers taking part have dropped significantly – not through an unwillingness to participate, but rather through competition from a raft of other activities.

As the numbers of younger people taking part in acts of Remembrance continues to decline, there is a tangible concern that the number of services taking place could also face decline as the stories behind these special services are consigned to the history books.

In encouraging younger generations to continue the act, the stories need to speak to them not just in historical terms.

An update of war memorials – to include those lost in more recent conflicts in service of their country – would be one way of linking more recent losses to the past and ensuring Remembrance remains part of national and local life in future. ¤

Lynne McNeil Editor