London Big Ben Bell to Mark the End of the Centenary of First World War

One of the world’s most famous bells, Big Ben or the London bell will ring on Sunday to mark the end of the centenary of the First World War. The UK Parliament also confirmed the symbolic celebration, despite ongoing conservation works.

The Elizabeth Tower’s world famous Big Ben will strike on 11th November to commemorate those, who have died in the two world wars. Exactly at 11.00 GMT, the Big Ben will strike 11 times. Again at 12.30, the Big Ben will strike again for further 11 times, joining bells across Britain and the world to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice, which marks the end of the war in 1918. 

Big Ben will chime at 11 am, exactly on time to signify the end of the war exactly 100 years ago. At 12.30pm, when the bells will ring again, it will be from churches and cathedrals, as they did at the end of the war to give thanks for peace and those who returned home safely.

It is a part of British government programme. The Houses of Parliament informed that only Big Ben would strike first, not other quarter bells, which normally produces 16 musical notes of the Westminster Chimes.

Meanwhile Prime Minister of England, Theresa May has visited St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium. The Cemetery has the graves of more than 500 soldiers, most of these soldiers were killed during the Battle of Mons in August 1914. 

She also laid a wreath at the graves of John Parr who is believed to be the first British soldier killed during the war and George Ellison who died 90 minutes before the Armistice, which came into effect exactly at 11 am on November 11, 1918.

After paying respect, May said, “We remember the heroes who lost their lives in the horror of the trenches. As the sun sets on one hundred years of remembrance, we will never forget their sacrifice.”

The Elizabeth Tower, one of London’s most iconic and photographed landmarks is currently undergoing some conservation. The conservation works are done in order to safeguard the 159-year-old iconic clock for generations to come. 

Apart from England, the whole world is commemorating their respective soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for their country. 70 world leaders including Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel will take part in a special ceremony on Champs Elysees in Paris on Sunday morning.

India too participated in the war, as part of the British army. More than 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in the First World War, in which over 74,000 soldiers who came from undivided India lost their lives.