11th November 1918

The 11^th November was Aleco’s birthday.

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th November 1918, an armistice ended the bloody conflict on the Western Front, on land, sea and air between the Allies and Germany, at Compiegne, France. “A war that would end all wars” they hoped…..

1918 Armistice Celebrations Facing Buckingham Palace 

Celebrations in London on Armistice Day 1918

 English Girls and American Soldiers Rejoicing at the End of the Great War 

The first official Armistice Day was held at Buckingham Palace on the 11th hour, of the 11^th November 1919. 

Today, we celebrate the centennial of the end of the Great War (World War I), during which nine million soldiers and seven million civilians were killed.

During the centennial commemoration,  President Macron and Chancellor Merkel stood side by side at Compiegne, north of Paris, where the defeated Germans and the Allies signed an agreement that ended the 1914-1918 war.   They both entered a replica of the train carriage where the armistice was reached and signed a guest book.

President Macron told Chancellor Merkel:

“Our Europe has been in peace for 73 years.   There is no precedent for it, because we willed it, first and foremost, because Germany and France wanted it” he said.



What, also, helped to bring peace among European neighbouring states, like France and Germany, was the formation of the European Union, in 1992.

                                                   It’s a long way to Tipperary

                                                   It’s a long way to go

                                                   It’s a long way to Tipperary

                                                  To the sweetest girl I know!!

                                                  Goodbye, Piccadilly

                                                  Farewell Lester Square

                                                  It’s a long, long way to Tipperary  

                                                  But my heart lies there!!

                                          In Flanders fields, the poppies grow

                                          Between the crosses, row on row

                                          That mark our place;  and in the sky

                                          The larks, still bravely singing, fly

                                          Scarce heard among the guns below

                                          We are the Dead.   Short days ago

                                          We lived, felt dawn, saw sunsets glow,

                                          Loved and were loved and now

                                          We lie in Flanders fields

                                          Take up our quarrel with the foe:

                                          To you from failing hands we throw

                                          The torch;  be yours to hold it high

                                          If you break faith with us who die

                                          We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

                                          In Flanders fields.

                                                       (By John Mc Crae)

...Between the Crosses Row and Row...

...Though Poppies Grow In Flanders' Fields....