0:00:13 > 0:00:16On this Remembrance weekend, we call to mind all those who have
0:00:16 > 0:00:18fought in conflict and the immense sacrifices they have made.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21And here at the Royal Albert Hall tonight, we pause to reflect
0:00:21 > 0:00:23in the company of Her Majesty the Queen,
0:00:23 > 0:00:25members of the Armed Forces, and a host of stars,
0:00:25 > 0:00:28at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2017.
0:00:37 > 0:00:47ROYAL FANFARE
0:01:52 > 0:01:57MUSIC: "I Vow to Thee, My Country"
0:05:37 > 0:05:46CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Your Majesty, your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09This is a year of notable anniversaries.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12We gather for this year's festival on Armistice Day,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15the 11th day of the 11th month,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19when people come together in a spirit of remembrance
0:06:19 > 0:06:23and in a spirit of solidarity with all those who serve today
0:06:23 > 0:06:27and have served in the past.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30We will remember our shared history
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and hear the voices of both those who fought in
0:06:33 > 0:06:36and those who have been affected by conflict.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39In 2017, we are marking a century of service
0:06:39 > 0:06:43by women in the British Armed Forces.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46To celebrate 100 years of their remarkable contributions
0:06:46 > 0:06:49to protect our nation, we spoke to three generations
0:06:49 > 0:06:52of women from each of the services about their experiences.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01I joined the Wrens because my father and grandfather were in the Navy
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and my three brothers were in the Navy.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08I was the first female in my family, but it didn't seem odd
0:07:08 > 0:07:13because everybody was joining up to do something.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15My first taste of the Army was at university Officer
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Training Corps at Exeter.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21And I liked the challenge,
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I like to be pushed a little bit physically and mentally.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29I first wanted to join the RAF when I saw the Red Arrows.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30But not the Red Arrows flying, actually,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34it was the Red Arrows engineers.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36And I saw them also performing as a team,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and that's just something I wanted to be part of.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43I became a cipher officer, decoding secret messages.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46I think the men were rather nervous of us, really,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49because they weren't used to having females around.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55But they were all very helpful and very polite and kind.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59In 2015 I became the first female college commander
0:07:59 > 0:08:03at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
0:08:03 > 0:08:06and had the opportunity to influence nearly 2000 people
0:08:06 > 0:08:09coming through the commissioning courses.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It's fantastic, it's such an opportunity to work
0:08:11 > 0:08:16with really talented individuals.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18My current job is the senior engineering officer
0:08:18 > 0:08:21on a Typhoon squadron, so I lead the team of engineers
0:08:21 > 0:08:23responsible for the serviceability of the aircraft,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27so making sure they're ready for the flying programme.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Typhoon are really important
0:08:29 > 0:08:31because they're really our first line of defence.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I feel proud of my achievements.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37I've been to Afghanistan twice, and earlier this year I came back
0:08:37 > 0:08:42from my Typhoon squadron supporting Middle Eastern operations.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45One has great pride in having been a Wren,
0:08:45 > 0:08:51and also in the part that women have played in the First World War,
0:08:51 > 0:08:52which was the beginning of it,
0:08:52 > 0:08:58and the many wars that they have been involved in since then.
0:09:04 > 0:09:12# When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary
0:09:12 > 0:09:19# When troubles come and my heart burdened be
0:09:19 > 0:09:29# Then I am still and wait here in the silence
0:09:33 > 0:09:37# For you come and sit a while with me
0:09:37 > 0:09:46# You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
0:09:46 > 0:09:53# You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
0:09:55 > 0:09:57# I am strong when I am on your shoulders
0:09:57 > 0:10:07# You raise me up to more than I can be... #
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Please acknowledge the Torch of Remembrance,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22carried by Squadron Leader Gemma Lonsdale,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24with Lieutenant Colonel Lucy Giles,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26and our citation reader, Joan Picton,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29accompanied by 100 women, past and present,
0:10:29 > 0:10:35of Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
0:10:46 > 0:10:54# You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
0:10:54 > 0:11:02# You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
0:11:02 > 0:11:09# I am strong when I am on your shoulders
0:11:09 > 0:11:16# You raise me up to more than I can be
0:11:21 > 0:11:21And
0:11:21 > 0:11:30# You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
0:11:30 > 0:11:31is
0:11:31 > 0:11:40# You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
0:11:40 > 0:11:43# I am strong when I am on your shoulders
0:11:43 > 0:11:50# You raise me up to more than I can be
0:11:50 > 0:11:56# You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
0:11:56 > 0:12:04# You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
0:12:04 > 0:12:11# I am strong when I am on your shoulders
0:12:11 > 0:12:21# You raise me up to more than I can be
0:12:23 > 0:12:33# You raise me up to more than I can be. #
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Chap in the micro
0:12:45 > 0:12:47APPLAUSE
0:13:14 > 0:13:19At this festival, we remember those who have died or
0:13:19 > 0:13:26suffered physical and mental injury in defence of our freedoms.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29We respect their sacrifice by committing to
0:13:29 > 0:13:34protect those freedoms and to care for those who suffer.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38We stand in unity with those who come from all parts
0:13:38 > 0:13:41of our diverse nation to serve our country today
0:13:41 > 0:13:47in locations far from their families and home.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51We celebrate the opportunities of the 100 years
0:13:51 > 0:13:55since women were fully enrolled in the Armed Forces,
0:13:55 > 0:14:02pioneers of a path now trodden by thousands of servicewomen.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07In honour of all who serve and have served,
0:14:07 > 0:14:12this Torch of Remembrance burns ever higher, brighter and stronger.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26is ladies and gentlemen, can be underline our thanks to the 100
0:14:26 > 0:14:27servicewomen?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Our thanks to Melanie C, and to our citation reader,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32And Wren Joan Picton, who's 97 years old.
0:14:32 > 0:14:40APPLAUSE
0:14:42 > 0:14:48In this year of anniversaries, it was 75 years ago in 1942,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51at the midpoint of the Second World War,
0:14:51 > 0:14:59that the Royal Air Force Regiment was officially formed.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01This evening, to celebrate this milestone anniversary,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03the Queen's Colour Squadron,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06a unit manned exclusively by the officers and airmen
0:15:06 > 0:15:09of the Royal Air Force Regiment, bring their remarkable drill
0:15:09 > 0:15:12to the Royal Albert Hall, supported by the musicians
0:15:12 > 0:15:14of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
0:19:32 > 0:19:38APPLAUSE
0:19:45 > 0:19:49APPLAUSE
0:19:57 > 0:20:02The battle of El Alamein took place 75 years ago.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04When the Germans drove us out of Dunkirk and the Japanese
0:20:04 > 0:20:07drove us out of Singapore, we were the only people
0:20:07 > 0:20:14available to fight.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15That was in the deserts of Africa.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18I was 18 in 1936, when I joined the Royal Corps of Signals,
0:20:18 > 0:20:28and I was posted to Cairo.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29I'd never been abroad at all.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33I was just a country boy.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37El Alamein was just a railway station in Egypt.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41But we had been there for four months building up so
0:20:41 > 0:20:44that we outnumbered the enemy.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Four or five times.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51One night, about a thousand of our guns opened up at
0:20:51 > 0:21:01once, shelling the Germans on the other side of the line.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09War is a nasty thing to explain.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Seeing charred bodies of your pals laying
0:21:11 > 0:21:15over tanks is not a nice subject.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17El Alamein was the first battle that we
0:21:17 > 0:21:18actually won hands down.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20To me, it seemed as though it might be the
0:21:20 > 0:21:24beginning of the end of the war.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27And from then on, of course, the Germans
0:21:27 > 0:21:32kept on retreating, they never advanced once more.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36This is not the end.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39It is not even the beginning of the end.
0:21:39 > 0:21:46But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48I was away from my parents for seven years.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53I was at around 100 battles in 15 different countries.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56We signed on to do a job and we did it to the best
0:21:56 > 0:21:57of our ability.
0:21:57 > 0:22:06That's the way I feel about it all.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09After the war, Sir Winston Churchill would say of the North
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Africa campaign, "Before Alamein, we never had a victory."
0:22:11 > 0:22:16"After Alamein, we never had a defeat."
0:22:16 > 0:22:19It was a decisive victory in a year that had also
0:22:19 > 0:22:20seen tragic losses.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24The fall of Singapore was another definitive
0:22:24 > 0:22:28episode in the Second World War that took place in 1942.
0:22:28 > 0:22:3475 years on, we remember those landmark battles,
0:22:34 > 0:22:40and we recognise the courage and the sacrifice of so many.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44At this year's festival, we are privileged to be joined by
0:22:44 > 0:22:47two veterans of those campaigns, 99-year-old Len Burritt,
0:22:47 > 0:22:54and Dr William Frankland, who's 105 years old.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59Kerry acknowledged their contribution please? APPLAUSE
0:22:59 > 0:23:03-- can we acknowledge their contribution?
0:23:03 > 0:23:09APPLAUSE
0:23:22 > 0:23:26The festival's warmest greetings to you both, gentlemen.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31Many from that remarkable generation of men and women are cared for
0:23:31 > 0:23:33by the Royal Hospital Chelsea, so let's please give
0:23:33 > 0:23:35our traditional welcome to the In-Pensioners
0:23:35 > 0:23:39joining us at the festival.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Leading the pensioners at the festival once again is pierced
0:24:06 > 0:24:20loudly of the Irish Guards. -- Pierce Lally. The youngest in this
0:24:20 > 0:24:27group is 67-year-old Hugh Craig who served in the Army for 22 years.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34This year the Royal Hospital Chelsea admitting their first veterans of
0:24:34 > 0:24:45the Gulf War. There are 14 female in pensioners at the Royal Hospital. We
0:24:45 > 0:24:47have two with us tonight.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Marjorie Cole.
0:24:50 > 0:25:04Who is 73, she's been an In-Pensioner since 2009.
0:25:07 > 0:25:17APPLAUSE
0:25:25 > 0:25:29We have another exceptional milestone to mark tonight. Dame Vera
0:25:29 > 0:25:34Lynn celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year and for many, Dame
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Vera's iconic music kept the nation 's smiling and warmed the hearts of
0:25:38 > 0:25:42so many through the Second World War. Please give a very warm welcome
0:25:42 > 0:25:49to Alfie Boe accompanied by Danza Natalie Lowe and ensemble for their
0:25:49 > 0:25:52tribute to the original forces sweetheart.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58MUSIC: "When The Lights Go On Again"
0:25:58 > 0:26:03# When the lights go on again all over the world
0:26:05 > 0:26:08# And the boys are home again all over the world
0:26:14 > 0:26:20# And rain or snow is all that may fall from the skies above
0:26:21 > 0:26:26# A kiss won't mean goodbye but hello to love
0:26:30 > 0:26:37# When the lights go on again all over the world
0:26:37 > 0:26:47# And the ships will sail again all over the world
0:26:47 > 0:26:51# Then we'll have time for things like wedding rings
0:26:51 > 0:26:54# And free hearts will sing
0:26:54 > 0:27:01# When the lights go on again all over the world.#
0:27:07 > 0:27:09MUSIC: "The White Cliffs Of Dover"
0:27:17 > 0:27:26# There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover
0:27:26 > 0:27:33# Tomorrow, just you wait and see
0:27:35 > 0:27:39# There'll be love and laughter
0:27:39 > 0:27:45# And peace ever after
0:27:45 > 0:27:53# Tomorrow, when the world is free
0:27:54 > 0:28:02# The shepherd will tend his sheep the valley will bloom again
0:28:02 > 0:28:10# And Jimmy will go to sleep in his own little room again
0:28:11 > 0:28:20# There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover
0:28:20 > 0:28:29# Tomorrow, just you wait and see
0:28:31 > 0:28:32MUSIC: "We'll Meet Again"
0:28:32 > 0:28:33# We'll meet again
0:28:33 > 0:28:35# Don't know where
0:28:35 > 0:28:39# Don't know when
0:28:39 > 0:28:48# But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
0:28:48 > 0:28:56# Keep smiling through, Just like you always do
0:28:56 > 0:29:05# Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away
0:29:05 > 0:29:09# So will you please say hello to the folks that I know
0:29:09 > 0:29:11# Tell them I won't be long
0:29:11 > 0:29:15# They'll be happy to know
0:29:15 > 0:29:23# That as you saw me go I was singing this song
0:29:23 > 0:29:28# We'll meet again
0:29:28 > 0:29:31# Don't know where
0:29:31 > 0:29:33# Don't know when
0:29:33 > 0:29:43# But I know we'll meet again some sunny day sunny day. #
0:29:50 > 0:30:00APPLAUSE
0:30:09 > 0:30:13In the year of Dame Vera's birth, 1917,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16British and Commonwealth forces were taking part
0:30:16 > 0:30:20in one of the most costly and traumatic battles of the Great War,
0:30:20 > 0:30:28the Battle of Passchendaele.
0:30:28 > 0:30:34It is difficult for us to imagine the immense suffering of these men
0:30:34 > 0:30:37but in the interviews that follow, conversations recorded decades ago,
0:30:37 > 0:30:41the voices drawn from hundreds of thousands of British and
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Commonwealth forces powerfully convey the reality of that time.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Passchendaele was the infantryman's graveyard,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11we called it the slaughterhouse.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Even the most seasoned veteran felt he'd be lucky
0:31:13 > 0:31:14if he got there and came back.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22On that morning, the 31st of July,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25we were told we were going over the top.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28The terrain was very, very difficult.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Shell holes, some of them you could drop a house in.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37When a shell arrived,
0:31:37 > 0:31:41the noise would grow into a great crescendo.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45And at a certain point your nerve would break
0:31:45 > 0:31:47and you'd throw yourself down in the mud
0:31:47 > 0:31:52and cringe in the mud until it passed.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54As you lay down on the ground,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57you could literally feel your heart pounding against the ground,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00and in a continuous bombardment, which lasted sometimes for hours,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05the emotional strain was absolutely terrific.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08We heard one of their big ones coming over.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12I was too damn tired even to fall down.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14I stood there.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Next I found myself face downwards in the mud.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21I thought to myself, "Well, if this is death,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25it's not so bad."
0:32:25 > 0:32:28When it came to the point when we went into action,
0:32:28 > 0:32:33really, I was scared stiff.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38I shall never forget the three I lost behind me.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42That upsets me more than anything.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50The worst thing for me was Passchendaele.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54That's where we were really right in the thick of it and...
0:32:54 > 0:32:57It was just horrible.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02The mud and the shocking waste of life.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08Passchendaele.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14There was no chance of getting wounded
0:33:14 > 0:33:16and getting to Blighty at Passchendaele.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21You'd either get through or die.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25I would say that people came out of Passchendaele simply numb.
0:33:25 > 0:33:26Numb.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Mentally and physically.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33It was a terrible place, a sea of mud everywhere.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36If it got off the duck boards, you got no chance whatsoever,
0:33:36 > 0:33:42you just fell in the mud and you were drowned.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46I was tired of seeing infantry sinking back in that morass
0:33:46 > 0:33:51never to come out alive again.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55You never wanted to go to that sector again.
0:33:55 > 0:34:04The horrors of Passchendaele.
0:34:12 > 0:34:21CHOIR SINGS
0:34:36 > 0:34:40The grief of the people in losing a generation of young men
0:34:40 > 0:34:43led to the desire to create and install fitting memorials
0:34:43 > 0:34:47to those who never returned.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49In 1917, a century ago,
0:34:49 > 0:34:55the Commonwealth War Graves Commission came into being.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Today, in 23,000 locations around the world,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00the commission looks after the graves and memorials
0:35:00 > 0:35:05of 1.7 million British and Commonwealth servicemen and women
0:35:05 > 0:35:10who died in two world wars.
0:35:10 > 0:35:16No distinction is made on the basis of rank, race or creed.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20They simply ensure that, in Kipling's words,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23"Their name liveth for evermore."
0:35:30 > 0:35:36With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
0:35:36 > 0:35:41England mourns for her dead across the sea.
0:35:41 > 0:35:46Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
0:35:46 > 0:35:51Fallen in the cause of the free
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Solemn the drums thrill,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Death august and royal
0:35:57 > 0:36:04Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
0:36:04 > 0:36:09There is music in the midst of desolation
0:36:09 > 0:36:14And a glory that shines upon our tears.
0:36:14 > 0:36:20They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
0:36:20 > 0:36:26Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
0:36:26 > 0:36:33They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
0:36:33 > 0:36:40They fell with their faces to the foe.
0:36:42 > 0:36:48They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
0:36:48 > 0:36:53Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58At the going down of the sun and in the morning
0:36:58 > 0:37:04We will remember them.
0:37:04 > 0:37:11They mingle not with their laughing comrades again,
0:37:11 > 0:37:17They sit no more at familiar tables of home,
0:37:17 > 0:37:23They have no lot in our labour of the day-time,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26They sleep beyond England's foam.
0:37:29 > 0:37:35But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
0:37:35 > 0:37:42Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
0:37:42 > 0:37:47To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
0:37:47 > 0:37:52As the stars are known to the Night,
0:37:52 > 0:37:57As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
0:37:57 > 0:38:04Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
0:38:04 > 0:38:13As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
0:38:13 > 0:38:20To the end, to the end, they remain.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30APPLAUSE
0:38:44 > 0:38:47This tradition of remembrance, the solemn and formal
0:38:47 > 0:38:54reminder of millions of lives lost, is just as important today
0:38:54 > 0:38:57as it was a hundred years ago.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59It involves a necessary coming together,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01and it provides some comfort for those relatives
0:39:01 > 0:39:05and friends who've suffered loss.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06Royal Marine Corporal Seth Stephens
0:39:06 > 0:39:10was killed in southern Afghanistan on 1st July 2010.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14His family wanted to pay this tribute.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23I never expected to hear the news
0:39:23 > 0:39:27that my husband had been killed in action.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Never in a million years had I dreamed
0:39:29 > 0:39:32that that was going to happen to me.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36And when you get given that news, the first thing that comes to mind
0:39:36 > 0:39:40is that you have these two vulnerable children
0:39:40 > 0:39:44that you've got to take care of and protect.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46My dad was always really adventurous,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48he never really took life too seriously.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52We were his girls, and he protected us always.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54I was 15, so I was at secondary school.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57I think I definitely grew up quite quickly.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Dad had always asked me to look after Mum when he went away,
0:40:00 > 0:40:04being, I suppose, the oldest - not that I was physically old.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06But I think I kind of took that role as,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09"I need to step up and fill some shoes."
0:40:09 > 0:40:12I was 11 when dad died.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15At first, I just thought it couldn't be true,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17and I didn't for quite a while.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Even at the funeral, I was in denial.
0:40:19 > 0:40:26It took about a year or more, really, to properly let it sink in.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29I pretended to myself, really, that he's still away,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32and possibly until quite recently.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33I continued with that,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35and that was my coping mechanism, really.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39"He's always been away, he'll come back."
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Life's been very different and...
0:40:42 > 0:40:45for a while, it felt really empty.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50But I know that I've got two amazing family members left,
0:40:50 > 0:40:54and we're still really close.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56I couldn't be more proud of the children.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01I think the way they have managed themselves
0:41:01 > 0:41:04over the last seven years is incredible.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09The endurance that they've shown, the resilience that they've shown.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14They have been remarkable.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18I know he saved many other lives, and I know that
0:41:18 > 0:41:20I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what
0:41:20 > 0:41:24I went through as a child, to be missing out on a father,
0:41:24 > 0:41:30so I feel really proud, and I would definitely say he's a hero.
0:41:38 > 0:41:46CHOIR SINGS
0:41:53 > 0:41:59And as ever, a dignified and supportive welcome for the bereaved
0:41:59 > 0:42:02families here at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Hall.
0:42:08 > 0:42:18Heather and Molly Stephens are leading the families into the
0:42:18 > 0:42:24festival tonight. Just behind them, we have William and Caroline Foster,
0:42:24 > 0:42:30whose son, Private victor. Of the Ulster Defence Regiment, was killed
0:42:30 > 0:42:42in a bomb attack in 1986. -- private Victor Foster.
0:42:42 > 0:42:52APPLAUSE We also have Sarah Adams, whose son,
0:42:52 > 0:42:59James Prosser, lost his life in Afghanistan.
0:42:59 > 0:43:07Sarah O'Connor lost her husband in Iraq in 2005. Among them too, Rachel
0:43:07 > 0:43:17Prosser, who lost her partner in Afghanistan in 2012. The parents of
0:43:17 > 0:43:30non-score Britain James Fullarton, killed in Afghanistan. The families
0:43:30 > 0:43:36being acknowledged by political leaders and members of the row
0:43:36 > 0:43:41family and everyone in the Royal Albert Hall. -- members of the Royal
0:43:41 > 0:43:42Family.
0:44:03 > 0:44:08APPLAUSE
0:44:15 > 0:44:19Forces Friends aims to support older veterans who are suffering from
0:44:19 > 0:44:23loneliness, to help them overcome the problems that come with that.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25The British Legion actually provided the original funding
0:44:25 > 0:44:35for the pilot project and the friendships are mutually beneficial.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39Tom's 98 and, you know, he's a great, great guy.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41I volunteer for Forces Friends because
0:44:41 > 0:44:43the thought of somebody who was a veteran
0:44:43 > 0:44:44sitting on their own, you know,
0:44:44 > 0:44:53having nobody to talk to, was just too much...
0:44:53 > 0:44:55I definitely wanted to go and do that.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57I did 22 years in the Army.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59And when I left the Army in 1962,
0:44:59 > 0:45:03it was quite a lot different in Civvy Street.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Sometimes I get a bit lonely.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07I've missed the comradeship of all your friends and that.
0:45:07 > 0:45:08Hi, how are you?
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Meeting up with Tom does combat my loneliness.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14My husband's away a lot in the Air Force, so I enjoy and look forward
0:45:14 > 0:45:17to meeting up with them, and because I'm a military wife,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21I definitely know exactly how he feels if he is lonely.
0:45:21 > 0:45:22She comes round, brings cakes.
0:45:22 > 0:45:23Makes the tea.
0:45:23 > 0:45:33And I'll tell her about all my experiences in the Army.
0:45:33 > 0:45:34Tom is part of the special generation
0:45:34 > 0:45:36because they've gone through this experience
0:45:36 > 0:45:38that we'll never realise in our lifetime any more.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41And they're heroes, really, aren't they?
0:45:41 > 0:45:44She keeps me company for a couple of hours, you know,
0:45:44 > 0:45:51because sometimes I don't see anybody else for a week to talk to.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54I just get a feeling of well-being of giving something back.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56I don't know whether I enhance his life,
0:45:56 > 0:46:01but he definitely enhances mine.
0:46:09 > 0:46:10MUSIC: "True Colours" by Tom Odell
0:46:10 > 0:46:15# You with the sad eyes
0:46:15 > 0:46:19# Don't be discouraged
0:46:19 > 0:46:21# Oh I realise
0:46:21 > 0:46:27# It's hard to take courage in a world full of people
0:46:27 > 0:46:31# You can lose sight of it all
0:46:31 > 0:46:34# The darkness inside you
0:46:34 > 0:46:39# Can make you feel so small
0:46:39 > 0:46:45# But I see your true colours shining through
0:46:45 > 0:46:50# I see your true colours
0:46:50 > 0:47:00# That's why I love you
0:47:02 > 0:47:04# So don't be afraid to let them show
0:47:04 > 0:47:05# Your true colours
0:47:05 > 0:47:15# True colours are beautiful
0:47:18 > 0:47:22# Ooh
0:47:22 > 0:47:26# Show me a smile then
0:47:26 > 0:47:30# Don't be unhappy
0:47:30 > 0:47:36# Can't remember when I last saw you laughing
0:47:36 > 0:47:41# If this world makes you crazy
0:47:41 > 0:47:45# And you've taken all you can bear you call me up
0:47:45 > 0:47:47# Cos I will always be there
0:47:47 > 0:47:51# And I see your true colours
0:47:51 > 0:47:55# Shining through
0:47:55 > 0:47:58# I see your true colours
0:47:58 > 0:48:02# And that's why I love you
0:48:02 > 0:48:08# So don't be afraid to let them show
0:48:08 > 0:48:13# Your true colours
0:48:13 > 0:48:22# True colours are beautiful. #
0:48:29 > 0:48:39APPLAUSE
0:48:43 > 0:48:44Our thanks to Tom Odell for that beautiful
0:48:44 > 0:48:48performance of True Colours.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52In the past 12 months, UK military personnel have provided
0:48:52 > 0:48:56vital humanitarian aid and supplies to those Caribbean
0:48:56 > 0:49:02islands devastated by Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria.
0:49:02 > 0:49:07The deployment included over 200 Royal Marines who were returned to
0:49:07 > 0:49:10the UK just last month after the clear up operation. With their
0:49:10 > 0:49:13tribute to the work of the Royal Navy, please welcome the band of Her
0:49:13 > 0:49:17Majesty 's Royal Marines Portsmouth.
0:51:31 > 0:51:32APPLAUSE
0:53:10 > 0:53:18APPLAUSE
0:53:24 > 0:53:26There were two hurricanes.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28They were both category five, which is the
0:53:28 > 0:53:29most severe category of hurricane.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32The damage for some of the islands has been absolutely catastrophic.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35HMS Ocean is in the Caribbean, she is part of a large task group of
0:53:35 > 0:53:45almost 2000 people drawn from all three services.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50It is the largest UK military deployment anywhere in the
0:53:50 > 0:53:52world and we are here supporting the British Overseas Territories and
0:53:52 > 0:53:55Commonwealth countries.
0:53:55 > 0:53:59The hurricane was one like no other.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01It has devastated the island.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04When I drove around I felt like I was in despair.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07I cried, I wept like a baby.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09It's terrible.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12The only time any of us have ever seen anything
0:54:12 > 0:54:14similar is in the movies, in a film.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17If you see that 90% of an island has been
0:54:17 > 0:54:17demolished or flattened, of an island has been
0:54:17 > 0:54:19you just can't fathom what that actually means
0:54:19 > 0:54:22until you're actually on the island.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25The British military is really welcome, and actually, they
0:54:25 > 0:54:28are life-savers.
0:54:28 > 0:54:31In some instances they came and brought us key
0:54:31 > 0:54:35commodities and food and stuff.
0:54:35 > 0:54:40You're out on the ground helping with the clear up.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44Whatever was necessary.
0:54:44 > 0:54:45That might be distributing aid, helping people
0:54:45 > 0:54:47clear, you know, debris and the likes,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49and help the community get on its feet.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51I know when I came here today looking at the classrooms,
0:54:51 > 0:54:52it's heartbreaking.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55It's nice, though, that we are here doing something good.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57It's what I joined the Navy to do.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00I think it's what everyone joined the Navy to do.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03That we could do some good and help people that needed help.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05I truly want to give God thanks for the
0:55:05 > 0:55:07British military.
0:55:07 > 0:55:08They came to our rescue.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10At a time of very need.
0:55:10 > 0:55:16You know, we needed it here.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18In my 21 years of military service, having
0:55:18 > 0:55:20served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, the likes, this
0:55:20 > 0:55:23has been a very different environment to work in, but
0:55:23 > 0:55:24nevertheless very rewarding.
0:55:24 > 0:55:30I'm privileged to be part of it.
0:55:37 > 0:55:38MUSIC: "Goin' Home"
0:55:38 > 0:55:44# Going home, going home
0:55:44 > 0:55:52# I'm jus' going home
0:55:52 > 0:55:58# Quiet like, some still day
0:55:58 > 0:56:08# I'm jus' going home
0:56:08 > 0:56:15# It's not far, just close by
0:56:15 > 0:56:22# Through an open door
0:56:22 > 0:56:31# Work all done, care laid by
0:56:31 > 0:56:38# Going to fear no more
0:56:38 > 0:56:45# Mother's there expecting me
0:56:45 > 0:56:55# Father's waiting, too
0:56:58 > 0:57:00# Lots of folk gathered there
0:57:00 > 0:57:10# All the friends I knew
0:57:21 > 0:57:31# All the friends I knew
0:57:38 > 0:57:40# Home
0:57:40 > 0:57:50# Home
0:57:52 > 0:57:55# I'm going
0:57:55 > 0:58:05# Home
0:58:10 > 0:58:16# Morning star lights the way
0:58:16 > 0:58:25# Restless dream all done
0:58:25 > 0:58:32# Shadows gone, break of day
0:58:32 > 0:58:40# Real life just begun
0:58:40 > 0:58:46# There's no break, there's no end
0:58:46 > 0:58:56# Jus' a livin' on
0:58:56 > 0:59:04# Wide awake with a smile
0:59:04 > 0:59:14# Going on and on
0:59:14 > 0:59:20# Ah
0:59:21 > 0:59:24# Mmmm
0:59:26 > 0:59:34# Going home, going home
0:59:34 > 0:59:41# I'm jus' going home
0:59:41 > 0:59:49# It's not far, just close by
0:59:49 > 0:59:59# Through an open door
1:00:10 > 1:00:18APPLAUSE
1:00:23 > 1:00:32APPLAUSE
1:00:32 > 1:00:33So the drums have been laid in preparation
1:00:33 > 1:00:36for our Service of Remembrance, which can begin once the men
1:00:36 > 1:00:39and women of our Armed Forces have joined us in the hall.
1:00:39 > 1:00:44We start the muster with the Royal Navy.
1:01:03 > 1:01:09so we have 110 representatives in all for the Royal Navy, the ship and
1:01:09 > 1:01:14the shore establishments, the air stations and the submarines of the
1:01:14 > 1:01:19Royal Navy, and those establishments include HMS Collingwood, because
1:01:19 > 1:01:26these are the new recruits in training. Colly -- Collingwood is
1:01:26 > 1:01:31the largest Royal Navy training establishment, the largest naval
1:01:31 > 1:01:33training organisation in Western Europe. Many other shore
1:01:33 > 1:01:40establishments and other organisations represented here today
1:01:40 > 1:01:53as part of the Royal Navy presence. We are joint too by Queen
1:01:53 > 1:02:01Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service. Kirsty Leslie joined last
1:02:01 > 1:02:07year. They provide front-line assistance and rehabilitation care.
1:02:07 > 1:02:12The music telling us the Royal Marines are here from 40 Commando,
1:02:12 > 1:02:16led by Nicholas Foster, who recently returned home after a month-long
1:02:16 > 1:02:24visit to the Caribbean for the hurricane clean-up operations. The
1:02:24 > 1:02:32Royal Naval Reserve, led by Chris Simpson Jones, made up of around
1:02:32 > 1:02:36300... 3000 men and women, many of whom have previously served in the
1:02:36 > 1:02:42navy. Four from the City of London unit of the Royal Marines Reserve.
1:02:42 > 1:02:46Also joining us, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, four of them, led by
1:02:46 > 1:02:52first Officer Jonathan Church, a civilian fleet delivering worldwide
1:02:52 > 1:02:57support for the Royal Navy.
1:03:07 > 1:03:19The Army. And we have 110 representatives again for the Army,
1:03:19 > 1:03:24the music telling us very firmly that we have the Grenadier Guards
1:03:24 > 1:03:28joining us, 30 representatives from the Nijmegen Company, led by Second
1:03:28 > 1:03:32Lieutenant Thomas Holmes from Leicestershire. The Grenadier
1:03:32 > 1:03:38Guards, the most senior of the five regiments of the Guards, formed in
1:03:38 > 1:03:431656 by King Charles II. Ten representatives from the Royal Tank
1:03:43 > 1:03:46Regiment, the oldest tank unit in the world, formed in the First World
1:03:46 > 1:03:57War. The Army Air Corps, celebrating the 60th anniversary, the Prince of
1:03:57 > 1:04:07Wales is their Colonel-in-Chief. The Brigade of Gurkhas, led by the two
1:04:07 > 1:04:18orderly officers nominated for the festival this year. Queen
1:04:18 > 1:04:21Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, ten of them, led by Major
1:04:21 > 1:04:25Patrick Wilson, among them Carin Koch, whose great-grandfather served
1:04:25 > 1:04:30in the First World War and whose two grandfathers served in the Second
1:04:30 > 1:04:37World War. And a very big contingent from the Army Reserve joining us at
1:04:37 > 1:04:47the festival, the Royal Yeomanry, Westminster Tribune Squadron, we
1:04:47 > 1:04:51have 135 Geographic Squadron Royal Engineers, we have 71 Signal
1:04:51 > 1:04:57Regiment, and we have 144 Parachute Medical Squadron, the only reserve
1:04:57 > 1:05:04medical unit with parachute capabilities.
1:05:19 > 1:05:23The Royal Air Force.
1:05:34 > 1:05:40Formed towards the end of the First World War, the 1st of April 1918,
1:05:40 > 1:05:45the Royal Air Force, the oldest independent air force in the world,
1:05:45 > 1:05:51110 representatives here too, led by Squadron Leader Graham Ford. We have
1:05:51 > 1:05:58representatives drawn from 33 of the Royal Air Force stations and joint
1:05:58 > 1:06:00service units, civilian establishments, not just around the
1:06:00 > 1:06:13UK, but around the world, Brize Norton, RAF Leuchars, Northolt, the
1:06:13 > 1:06:17Royal Air Force Regiment, the Queen's Colour Squadron, the
1:06:17 > 1:06:20representatives at high-profile events such as data visits, but also
1:06:20 > 1:06:29fully capable combat units as well. -- such as state visits. Princess
1:06:29 > 1:06:31Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service joining us, led by Flight
1:06:31 > 1:06:35Lieutenant Anna Gilmour, providing all sorts of health care for defence
1:06:35 > 1:06:42personnel. The Royal Air Force Police, the world's oldest air force
1:06:42 > 1:06:47police service, formed in 1918.
1:06:58 > 1:07:07Joining us too, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the Royal Air Force
1:07:07 > 1:07:12Volunteer Reserve, consisting of personnel who served on a first-time
1:07:12 > 1:07:18basis, many experts among them, and we have a representative from the
1:07:18 > 1:07:25University Air Squadron, 15 of them situated around the United Kingdom.
1:07:33 > 1:07:40APPLAUSE The Merchant Navy.
1:07:46 > 1:07:5130 representatives in all, 20 from the Merchant Navy Association, ten
1:07:51 > 1:07:57from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, including five serving
1:07:57 > 1:08:04cadets. During the Second World War, some 5000 British merchant vessels
1:08:04 > 1:08:08were sunk, 20,000 merchant seamen lost their lives. The five cadets,
1:08:08 > 1:08:13by the way, all currently training at the maritime academy, which is in
1:08:13 > 1:08:18Southampton.
1:08:21 > 1:08:33The Royal British Legion and the civilians services. Solid
1:08:33 > 1:08:35representation of the British Legion, of course the people
1:08:35 > 1:08:42involved in the Poppy Appeal, and others at the Poppy factory, but
1:08:42 > 1:08:49also many from the civilians services, St John and villains, St
1:08:49 > 1:08:51Andrew's first aid, two representatives of the London air
1:08:51 > 1:08:56and billing scum are among those sent out to the Grenfell Tower. --
1:08:56 > 1:09:04the London air ambulance, among them those sent out to the Grenfell Tower
1:09:04 > 1:09:07disaster.
1:09:10 > 1:09:13There's definitely a mantra within the Army that says
1:09:13 > 1:09:15you're never off duty, really - you need to run
1:09:15 > 1:09:19into chaotic situations and just try and act as best you can.
1:09:19 > 1:09:21We heard a load of screaming and shouting
1:09:21 > 1:09:23and people running away
1:09:23 > 1:09:26and realised there was a terrorist attack going on.
1:09:26 > 1:09:29I was one of the lucky ones that night at London Bridge.
1:09:29 > 1:09:31My luck, I suppose, started with the fact that
1:09:31 > 1:09:37the first person to stumble across me had battle training.
1:09:37 > 1:09:40As soon as we come up onto the bridge, you could see
1:09:40 > 1:09:44the sort of trail of casualties that the vehicle had left.
1:09:44 > 1:09:46The van crashed about six feet away from me,
1:09:46 > 1:09:49and then I had one of the terrorists,
1:09:49 > 1:09:51uh...straight into my face.
1:09:51 > 1:10:01I was the first person that that...particular guy stabbed.
1:10:01 > 1:10:04Being off duty didn't influence my reaction in any way,
1:10:04 > 1:10:07and I ran in towards the Globe pub, which was where I found Richard
1:10:07 > 1:10:10lying on the floor with a huge stab wound to his back.
1:10:10 > 1:10:12I don't know where he came from.
1:10:12 > 1:10:15He just suddenly...
1:10:15 > 1:10:18I felt that there was somebody standing next to me saying,
1:10:18 > 1:10:19"Everything's going to be fine."
1:10:19 > 1:10:22And he stayed with me as shots were being fired and bouncing
1:10:22 > 1:10:29all around the Borough Market.
1:10:29 > 1:10:31While he was just about clinging onto consciousness,
1:10:31 > 1:10:34got him back to where we knew the ambulances would be waiting.
1:10:34 > 1:10:37And I ran back into the inner cordon to help the next casualties.
1:10:37 > 1:10:44We were able to apply first aid and compressions and stem bleeding.
1:10:44 > 1:10:46At least if you hit the basic casualty drills
1:10:46 > 1:10:49that are ingrained in us, you're going to do some good.
1:10:49 > 1:10:56Pete and I crossed paths while providing CPR to a woman.
1:10:56 > 1:10:58We didn't realise that each other were in the military at all,
1:10:58 > 1:11:01we just kind of got on with trying to check her airways.
1:11:01 > 1:11:04I carried on giving her CPR for about half an hour
1:11:04 > 1:11:06until, unfortunately, she was pronounced dead, um...
1:11:06 > 1:11:07And then...
1:11:07 > 1:11:09Sorry.
1:11:12 > 1:11:15When I look back at the night, I feel it was a horrible event,
1:11:15 > 1:11:18but everyone was wanting to lend a hand.
1:11:18 > 1:11:22It was great to see everybody working so well, be them in uniform
1:11:22 > 1:11:25or be those people who were just out with their friends that night.
1:11:25 > 1:11:30There were lots of people that contributed to my well-being,
1:11:30 > 1:11:31not least Lieutenant Bambridge.
1:11:31 > 1:11:36Me and my family are eternally grateful to him.
1:11:52 > 1:11:55# You've got the words to change a nation
1:11:55 > 1:11:57# But you're biting your tongue
1:11:57 > 1:11:59# You've spent a life time stuck in silence
1:11:59 > 1:12:03# Afraid you'll say something wrong
1:12:03 > 1:12:07# If no-one ever hears it how we are going to learn your song?
1:12:07 > 1:12:10# So come on, come on
1:12:10 > 1:12:12# Come on, come on
1:12:12 > 1:12:15# You've got a heart as loud as lightning
1:12:15 > 1:12:17# So why let your voice be tamed?
1:12:17 > 1:12:20# Maybe we're a little different
1:12:20 > 1:12:22# There's no need to be ashamed
1:12:22 > 1:12:25# You've got the light to fight the shadows
1:12:25 > 1:12:28# So stop hiding it away
1:12:28 > 1:12:33# Come on, come on
1:12:33 > 1:12:37# I want to sing, I want to shout
1:12:37 > 1:12:43# I want to scream till the words dry out
1:12:43 > 1:12:48# So put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraid
1:12:48 > 1:12:52# They can read all about it
1:12:52 > 1:12:55# Read all about it, oh
1:12:55 > 1:12:58# Oh oh oh
1:12:58 > 1:13:01# Oh oh oh
1:13:01 > 1:13:03# Oh oh oh
1:13:06 > 1:13:07# Oh oh oh
1:13:08 > 1:13:10# Oh oh oh
1:13:10 > 1:13:13# Oh oh oh
1:13:18 > 1:13:22We welcome Captain Pete Bryan, Lieutenant Jared Bambridge
1:13:22 > 1:13:24and Richard Livett, accompanied by members
1:13:24 > 1:13:26of our emergency services who attended the scenes of
1:13:26 > 1:13:29the London and Manchester attacks.
1:13:33 > 1:13:35APPLAUSE
1:13:35 > 1:13:37# At night we're waking up the neighbours
1:13:37 > 1:13:40# While we sing away the blues
1:13:40 > 1:13:43# Making sure that we're remembered, yeah
1:13:43 > 1:13:45# Cos we all matter too
1:13:45 > 1:13:48# If the truth has been forbidden
1:13:48 > 1:13:50# Then we're breaking all the rules
1:13:50 > 1:13:55# So come on, come on
1:13:55 > 1:13:57# Come on, come on
1:13:57 > 1:13:59# Let's get the TV and the radio
1:13:59 > 1:14:01# To play our tune again
1:14:01 > 1:14:06# It's about time we got some airplay of our version of events
1:14:06 > 1:14:08# There's no need to be afraid
1:14:08 > 1:14:12# I will sing with you my friend
1:14:12 > 1:14:16# Come on, come on
1:14:16 > 1:14:21# I want to sing I want to shout
1:14:21 > 1:14:26# I want to scream till the words dry out
1:14:26 > 1:14:31# So put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraid
1:14:31 > 1:14:35# They can read all about it
1:14:35 > 1:14:39# Read all about it, oh
1:14:39 > 1:14:40# Oh oh oh
1:14:40 > 1:14:43# Oh oh oh
1:14:43 > 1:14:45# Oh oh oh
1:14:45 > 1:14:48# Oh oh oh
1:14:51 > 1:14:52# Oh oh oh
1:14:52 > 1:14:54# Oh oh oh
1:14:54 > 1:14:59# Oh oh oh
1:14:59 > 1:15:04# Yeah, we're all wonderful, wonderful people
1:15:04 > 1:15:08# So when did we all get so fearful?
1:15:08 > 1:15:14# Now we're finally finding our voices
1:15:14 > 1:15:21# So take a chance, come help me sing this
1:15:21 > 1:15:24# I want to sing, I want to shout
1:15:24 > 1:15:28# I want to scream till the words dry out
1:15:28 > 1:15:32# So put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraid
1:15:32 > 1:15:37# They can read all about it
1:15:37 > 1:15:40# Read all about it, oh
1:15:40 > 1:15:41# Oh oh oh
1:15:42 > 1:15:43# Oh oh oh
1:15:45 > 1:15:47# Oh oh oh
1:15:47 > 1:15:49# Oh oh oh
1:15:51 > 1:15:53# Oh oh oh
1:15:53 > 1:15:55# Oh oh oh
1:16:00 > 1:16:06# I want to sing, I want to shout
1:16:06 > 1:16:10# I want to scream till the words dry out
1:16:10 > 1:16:13# So put it in all of the papers,
1:16:13 > 1:16:15# I'm not afraid
1:16:15 > 1:16:19# They can read all about it
1:16:19 > 1:16:25# Read all about it, oh.#
1:16:35 > 1:16:43APPLAUSE
1:16:53 > 1:16:55The festival organist this year is Peter Crompton,
1:16:55 > 1:17:00the organist emeritus at the Royal Hospital School.
1:17:00 > 1:17:03It's his 21st year at the festival.
1:17:05 > 1:17:07MUSIC: "O God, Our Help In Ages Past"
1:17:07 > 1:17:09# O God, our help in ages past
1:17:09 > 1:17:14# Our hope for years to come
1:17:14 > 1:17:18# Our shelter from the stormy blast
1:17:18 > 1:17:26# And our eternal home
1:17:26 > 1:17:30# Beneath the shadow of thy throne
1:17:38 > 1:17:43# From everlasting thou art God
1:17:43 > 1:17:53# To endless years the same
1:17:53 > 1:17:57# A thousand ages in thy sight
1:17:57 > 1:18:07# Are like an evening gone
1:18:15 > 1:18:17# Be thou our guard while troubles last
1:18:17 > 1:18:24# And our eternal home.#
1:18:24 > 1:18:26The national chaplain to the Royal British Legion is
1:18:26 > 1:18:27The national chaplain to the Royal British
1:18:27 > 1:18:28The Right Reverend James Newcome,
1:18:29 > 1:18:31We are here in the presence of God,
1:18:31 > 1:18:36to remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives,
1:18:36 > 1:18:40in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given
1:18:40 > 1:18:47and taken away in the cause of justice and freedom,
1:18:47 > 1:18:50to pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain,
1:18:50 > 1:18:58continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror,
1:18:58 > 1:19:01and for the Royal British Legion in its ministry of care
1:19:01 > 1:19:03and support for them, and to commit ourselves,
1:19:03 > 1:19:05young and old, to work in penitence and
1:19:05 > 1:19:06faith for reconciliation between the nations
1:19:06 > 1:19:13of our troubled world.
1:19:19 > 1:19:29That, under God, people of every race and creed may be at peace.
1:19:30 > 1:19:39These thoughts and prayers we offer in the words that Jesus taught.
1:19:39 > 1:19:44# Our Father, who art in heaven
1:19:45 > 1:19:52# Hallowed be Thy name
1:19:52 > 1:19:58# Thy kingdom come
1:19:58 > 1:20:03# Thy will be done
1:20:03 > 1:20:12# On earth as it is in Heaven
1:20:12 > 1:20:21# Give us this day our daily bread
1:20:21 > 1:20:31# And forgive us our trespasses
1:20:31 > 1:20:35# As we forgive those
1:20:35 > 1:20:43# Who trespass against us
1:20:43 > 1:20:53# And lead us not into temptation
1:20:54 > 1:21:04# But deliver us from evil
1:21:04 > 1:21:13# Amen. #
1:21:16 > 1:21:24God Almighty, creator of all, we thank you for our sovereign lady,
1:21:24 > 1:21:32Queen Elizabeth, patron of the Royal British Legion.
1:21:32 > 1:21:36We pray for her and for those of every belief, religion
1:21:36 > 1:21:42and race who serve together in her Armed Forces
1:21:42 > 1:21:46and in her Government, as we pray also for all those
1:21:46 > 1:21:51who bear responsibilities for the well-being of our nation,
1:21:51 > 1:21:57the Commonwealth, and the world.
1:21:57 > 1:22:03Please grant us a renewed spirit of respect and reconciliation
1:22:03 > 1:22:09and unite us all in love of you and our neighbours.
1:22:09 > 1:22:11Enable us to build harmony in our families, our communities,
1:22:11 > 1:22:21our nation, and our world.
1:22:23 > 1:22:26So guide our paths and lead us in the ways of righteousness
1:22:26 > 1:22:29that our lives may speak of your justice and mercy,
1:22:29 > 1:22:36now and forever.
1:22:36 > 1:22:38Amen.
1:22:43 > 1:22:45Rejoice in the Lord always.
1:22:45 > 1:22:49And again I say, rejoice.
1:22:49 > 1:22:51Let your moderation be known unto all men.
1:22:51 > 1:22:56The Lord is at hand.
1:22:56 > 1:22:59Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication
1:22:59 > 1:23:01with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1:23:01 > 1:23:04And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
1:23:04 > 1:23:14shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1:23:19 > 1:23:20Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
1:23:20 > 1:23:22whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
1:23:22 > 1:23:31whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
1:23:31 > 1:23:37whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue,
1:23:37 > 1:23:47and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1:23:48 > 1:23:52its time for the second Congregational him as we approach
1:23:52 > 1:24:01the act of remembrance and the moment when the poppies for. --
1:24:01 > 1:24:03# Be still, my soul
1:24:04 > 1:24:11# The Lord is on your side
1:24:11 > 1:24:18# Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
1:24:18 > 1:24:28# Leave to thy God to order and provide
1:24:28 > 1:24:37# In every change he faithful will remain
1:24:40 > 1:24:42# Be still, my soul
1:24:42 > 1:24:45# Your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways
1:24:45 > 1:24:55# Leads to a joyful end
1:24:57 > 1:25:03# Be still, my soul
1:25:03 > 1:25:05# The hour is hastening on
1:25:05 > 1:25:11# When we shall be for ever with the Lord
1:25:11 > 1:25:19# When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone
1:25:19 > 1:25:29# Sorrow forgotten, love's pure joys restored
1:25:31 > 1:25:35# Be still, my soul
1:25:35 > 1:25:42# When change and tears are past
1:25:42 > 1:25:51# All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. #
1:25:59 > 1:26:04Teach us good Lord to serve Thee as Thou deservest,
1:26:04 > 1:26:11to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds,
1:26:11 > 1:26:16to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour
1:26:16 > 1:26:20and not to ask for any reward,
1:26:20 > 1:26:24save that of knowing we do Thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:26:24 > 1:26:29Amen.
1:26:39 > 1:26:44They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
1:26:44 > 1:26:48Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
1:26:48 > 1:26:51At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
1:26:51 > 1:26:53we will remember them.
1:26:53 > 1:26:56ALL: We will remember them.
1:26:59 > 1:27:09LAST POST
1:30:29 > 1:30:39REVEILLE
1:31:32 > 1:31:35When you go home, tell them of us and say,
1:31:35 > 1:31:40"For your tomorrow we gave our today."
1:31:44 > 1:31:47Sharing their thoughts on remembrance
1:31:47 > 1:31:49are six members of the centenary intern programme
1:31:49 > 1:31:54at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
1:32:10 > 1:32:12Coming from a military family,
1:32:12 > 1:32:15I have always known the importance of remembrance.
1:32:15 > 1:32:17However, I never truly understood
1:32:17 > 1:32:20the enormity of the sacrifice until I worked
1:32:20 > 1:32:24in a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery.
1:32:24 > 1:32:27Throughout my life, I therefore pledge to spread
1:32:27 > 1:32:32the word about their sacrifice, because we must not forget.
1:32:35 > 1:32:38Remembrance for me is my ancestor Captain Alfred Charles Bratt,
1:32:38 > 1:32:42who died in the mud of Passchendaele.
1:32:42 > 1:32:46Remembrance is also our family friend
1:32:46 > 1:32:50Marine James Robert Wright, who fell in Afghanistan.
1:32:50 > 1:32:54Two men, nearly 100 years apart - how different were they really?
1:32:54 > 1:32:57Remembrance is not about the battles or the parades,
1:32:57 > 1:33:01it is about the people.
1:33:01 > 1:33:05Remembrance is not something that can or should be forced -
1:33:05 > 1:33:07rather it grows through greater awareness
1:33:07 > 1:33:09of the sacrifices made for us.
1:33:09 > 1:33:13As young people, we should remember our war dead
1:33:13 > 1:33:15by encouraging everyone to understand that they too
1:33:15 > 1:33:21had dreams, ambitions and futures.
1:33:21 > 1:33:24In our work as interns, we strive to remember every story,
1:33:24 > 1:33:27from the heroism of our own ancestors,
1:33:27 > 1:33:30such as my great-great-grandfather,
1:33:30 > 1:33:32to the sacrifice made by those who lost their lives in war
1:33:32 > 1:33:39so that today we may live in peace.
1:33:39 > 1:33:42It is our duty to carry the torch of remembrance for future
1:33:42 > 1:33:46generations, to ensure that its fire is never extinguished.
1:33:46 > 1:33:51In doing so, it reminds us of the horrors of war and ensures
1:33:51 > 1:33:53that the sacrifice a generation gave for our tomorrow
1:33:53 > 1:33:57will never be forgotten.
1:33:57 > 1:34:00We see the names, we see the white headstones,
1:34:00 > 1:34:03and we see spectacular monuments.
1:34:03 > 1:34:05But we should not forget the life, the love,
1:34:05 > 1:34:08the laughs and the loss behind them.
1:34:08 > 1:34:10To remember is to learn from their sacrifice
1:34:10 > 1:34:15and to strive for a better world.
1:34:15 > 1:34:25# Their names liveth
1:34:26 > 1:34:36# For evermore. #
1:34:44 > 1:34:49The final hymn is one selected by Queen Victoria for her Diamond
1:34:49 > 1:34:51Jubilee.
1:34:51 > 1:34:57# The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended
1:34:57 > 1:35:05# The darkness falls at thy behest
1:35:05 > 1:35:14# To thee our morning hymns ascended
1:35:14 > 1:35:21# Thy praise shall sanctify our rest
1:35:24 > 1:35:30# The sun that bids us rest
1:35:30 > 1:35:40# Is waking our brethren 'neath the western sky
1:35:40 > 1:35:44# And hour by hour fresh lips are making
1:35:44 > 1:35:54# Thy wondrous doings heard on high
1:35:59 > 1:36:07# So be it, Lord, thy throne shall never
1:36:07 > 1:36:16# Like earth's proud empires, pass away
1:36:16 > 1:36:25# Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever
1:36:25 > 1:36:35# Till all thy creatures own thy sway. #
1:36:51 > 1:36:57# Sunset in the western sky
1:36:57 > 1:37:04# Darkness falls o'er land and sea
1:37:04 > 1:37:10# Praise, Lord we raise to you
1:37:10 > 1:37:19# This night and for ever more
1:37:47 > 1:37:52# We think of loved ones near and far
1:37:52 > 1:38:00# And those who fought the fight before
1:38:00 > 1:38:04# Keep safe your people, Lord
1:38:04 > 1:38:12# This night and for evermore
1:38:28 > 1:38:32# Keep safe your people, Lord
1:38:32 > 1:38:40# This night and for ever more
1:38:42 > 1:38:52# This night and for ever more. #
1:39:00 > 1:39:09God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest,
1:39:09 > 1:39:12to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth,
1:39:12 > 1:39:16and all people peace and concord,
1:39:16 > 1:39:23and to us and all His servants life everlasting.
1:39:23 > 1:39:26And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
1:39:26 > 1:39:29the Son and the Holy Spirit,
1:39:29 > 1:39:34be among you and remain with you always.
1:39:34 > 1:39:36Amen.
1:39:36 > 1:39:38Amen.
1:39:45 > 1:39:50# God save our gracious Queen
1:39:50 > 1:39:55# Long live our noble Queen
1:39:55 > 1:40:00# God save the Queen
1:40:00 > 1:40:06# Send her victorious
1:40:06 > 1:40:11# Happy and glorious
1:40:11 > 1:40:16# Long to reign over us
1:40:16 > 1:40:23# God save the Queen. #
1:40:27 > 1:40:29The parade will remove head-dress.
1:40:29 > 1:40:33Remove...head-dress!
1:40:36 > 1:40:39Three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen.
1:40:39 > 1:40:40Hip, hip...
1:40:40 > 1:40:41ALL: Hooray!
1:40:41 > 1:40:42Hip, hip...
1:40:42 > 1:40:43ALL: Hooray!
1:40:43 > 1:40:44Hip, hip...
1:40:44 > 1:40:46ALL: Hooray!
1:40:46 > 1:40:50Parade will replace headdress.
1:40:50 > 1:40:54Replace...headdress!
1:41:06 > 1:41:12APPLAUSE
1:41:12 > 1:41:15HUW: Bringing the festival to a close
1:41:15 > 1:41:16is Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes,
1:41:16 > 1:41:19the man in charge of all of tonight's military arrangements
1:41:19 > 1:41:23here at the Royal Albert Hall.
1:41:23 > 1:41:27And that brings the Festival of Remembrance of 2017 to an end,
1:41:27 > 1:41:30but the events of this Remembrance weekend
1:41:30 > 1:41:31will culminate tomorrow,
1:41:31 > 1:41:33when the Queen and members of the Royal Family
1:41:33 > 1:41:36will gather in Whitehall at the Cenotaph.
1:41:36 > 1:41:40Our coverage begins at 10:20am on BBC One with David Dimbleby.
1:41:40 > 1:41:42But for now, from all of the BBC team
1:41:42 > 1:41:45at the Royal Albert Hall, good night.
1:41:50 > 1:41:51First day at a special school?
1:41:51 > 1:41:53It's not a special school -