BHC Honiara and Fiji’s Solomon Islands International Assistance Force  commemorates Remembrance Day

The British High Commission and the Royal Fiji Military Force (RFMF) together with friends from across the Commonwealth and the world celebrated Remembrance Day in Honiara on Saturday

11^th November marks the day when World War One ended in 1918.

‘At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them.’

11 November is commemorated in remembrance the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended their freedoms and protected their way of life. We honour those who served to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life.

Remembrance Day is marked around the world. In the UK, the Royal Family will lay wreaths at the Cenotaph and the UK will observe a two-minute silence at 11 o’clock as part of the commemorations.

This year’s programme is significant for the British High Commission as we 80 years on we remember the 517 soldiers of the Royal Artillery, who were transported as prisoners of war to Ballalae in Shortland islands and who all died there. In July the High Commission and the crew of HMS TAMAR refurbished and rededicated the memorial at Ballalae, with the generous support of the Government of Solomon Islands and the People of Shortland Islands.

In Honiara on Saturday, the British High Commission and RFMF joined friends from Solomon Islands Government, SIAF, diplomatic missions in Solomon Islands and invited guests to mark Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph at the Central Police Station.