NAN-DS-6
Veterans
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has
commended soldiers from commonwealth countries who served in the two World Wars,
saying the veterans sacrificed their lives to secure lasting peace in member countries.
Arkwright made the commendation at the 100th Remembrance Day of the veterans at
the British High Commission in Abuja on Monday.
The envoy said the day was set aside to hounour men and women who were killed during the first and second World Wars and other conflicts of the modern age.
He added that “today, we honour the sacrifice and courage of millions of our fellow citizens across the Commonwealth who died in the war to secure lasting peace for future generation.
“The tradition of Remembrance Day began after the first World War; this year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of The Sum, which took place on July 1 to Nov. 18, 1916.
“This joint British and French operation led to one million allies and German casualties and marked the bloodiest day in British military history.
“With 50,470 casualties alone in one day on July 1, 1916, this was the British army’s darkest
day.”
The high commissioner further said that those who served in the first World War did
so “believing they were fighting to end all wars.”
He added that the commemoration of the day would allow countries to reflect on the consequences of conflicts that prevailed globally.
“Even though many nations who once fought against each other are now joined together in firm friendship by shared commitment of peace and democracy, conflict, bloodshed and instability continue to blight the lives of millions around the world.
“On this remembrance day, let us remember the human corpses of war and conflict, let us remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives were taken away in world wars and conflicts.
“Let us also remember the grief and the sufferings of those left behind; in remembering them, let us also pay tribute for the bravery of those who continue to face danger or death on our behalf today in the service of peace and humanity.”
World War I, or the Great War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from July 28, 1914 to Nov. 11, 1918.
More than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilised in one of the largest wars in history.
Over nine million combatants and seven million civilians died as a result of the war.
World War II (WWII) was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945.
WWII involved the vast majority of the world’s nations and the most widespread war in history and directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries.
The war was marked by mass deaths of civilians, including the Holocaust, in which approximately 11 million people were killed. (NAN)
ETIM/ACO/HA
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Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu