It is Remembrance Sunday on the 9th November and millions will pause at 11am to remember those who lost their lives in conflict. But as the generations who lived through the world wars pass into history, one question remains: do young people still care about Remembrance Day?
For more than a century, Remembrance Day has stood as a moment for national reflection. The day commemorates the moment the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War in 1918.
For older generations, the connection to those who served is often personal. But as time passes, fewer people have direct links to veterans of the world wars.
Kevin Heakin, former Commanding Officer of HMS Salford and former Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester said, “I was born in World War Two… but for children in school today, they have inherited a different world to the one I inherited.”
He spoke to us about young people and Remembrance Day.
While the poppy remains a familiar symbol, a poll by GB News last year found that 79 per cent of voters do not think young people take pride in wearing a poppy. The Royal British Legion ahs also acknowledged declining poppy sales in recent years, with some volunteers saying it is increasingly difficult to reach younger audiences.
Despite this, many young people say remembrance still matters – even if they do not get involved with poppies and parades.
One young person said, “I do still care about it but I do not wear a poppy or do anything to commemorate the day.”
Another added, “I do wear a poppy but that is usually all the lengths I go to.”
While national surveys suggest remembrance is fading among younger generations, Salford preparations are under way for this year’s Remembrance Sunday services in hopes of strong support from the community.
On Sunday 9th November, Salford will honour the fallen with a parade that will begin at 10:10 am on the A6 (outside of Old Pint Pot) and the service and wreath laying will take place at 10:45 am at the Cenotaph in Albert Bentley Place, The Crescent.
A list of each parade in Salford is available below with a map.
As the trumpets sound across Salford on Sunday morning, organisers hope those few minutes of silence will remind people, young and old, why remembrance still matters and commemorate fallen soldiers.
Events taking place on Sunday 9th November in Salford:
- Salford Crescent, A6, 10:25am
- Victoria Park, Swinton, 10:15am
- Cenotaph, Chorley Road, 10:40am
- Eccles Town hall, Eccles, 10:40am
- Cenotaph, Church Street, 10:50am
- British Legion, Wilfred Road, 9:30am
- Cenotaph, Parr Fold Park, 10:50am
- Station Road, Irlam & Cadishead, 10:30am
- Cenotaph, Princes Park, 10:50am
- Cenotaph, St Paul’s Church, Peel Lane, 10:50am
As well as a service on the 11th November at Swinton Cenotaph, Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road at 10:50am, including a two-minute silence at 11 am.