Over half of Britons do not know what their ancestors were doing during the First World War, a new poll has revealed.
The market research agency YouGov asked Brits about their knowledge of their family between 1914 and 1918.
Just 8% of those polled said they know a lot about their ancestors’ activities in the conflict compared to 51% who said they do not know anything, whilst 41% said they know only a bit.
The figure of those who do not know anything rises to 56% for people between the ages of 18 and 24.
Indeed, nearly three fifths of those aged between 25 and 49 years old do not know what any of their ancestors did during World War One.
Do you know what any of your ancestors did during WW1?
— YouGov (@YouGov) November 3, 2023
I don't know anything: 51%
I know a bit: 41%
I know a lot: 8%https://t.co/1kiahP9xd6 pic.twitter.com/aF2qNUOy0s
The polling comes as Armistice Day – which marks the armistice signed between the Allied forces and Germany to end World War One – approaches this Saturday, on 11 November.
This anniversary is different to Remembrance Sunday.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, plans were made to mark the fallen and ensure they were also remembered like those in the First World War, but there were concerns that Armistice Day – a day so heavily associated with World War One – would mean that World War Two could be overlooked.
This concern meant the Archbishop of Westminster proposed naming the second Sunday in November as Remembrance Sunday, while Armistice Day became known as Remembrance Day.
As a result, Remembrance Sunday serves as a day to remember the service and sacrifice of those who have died in all war, not just the First World War.
Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday procession will commence at 10:25am (12 November), with Lancashire Artillery Volunteers and Greater Manchester Police Band setting off from John Dalton Street towards the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square.
The Scots Guards Association Pipe Band will lead the Civic procession from Mount Street to the Cenotaph at 10:45am.
A 105mm gun will mark the beginning and the end of the traditional two minutes silence in St Peter’s Square.
Wreathes will then be laid on the Cenotaph by representatives, including the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester on behalf of His Majesty The King, The Lord Mayor of Manchester on behalf of the city, the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and the Royal British Legion on behalf of ex-service men and women.
When the Cenotaph service concludes, the procession will proceed to the Central Library for the March Past by Services and ex-Service organisations led by the Scots Guards Association Pipe Band.
The National Anthem will be played at the conclusion of this parade.
To enable security checks and safeguards, a series of road closures will be put into place between 1am and 1pm on the day.
More details can be found here.
Feature image by Fraizer Dunleavy.
