Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
Mike from England · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
Location	Westminster Abbey
Dedicated to	Unknown soldier
Architect	Herbert Baker
Completed	November 11, 1920

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is a monument dedicated to the British Army's Unknown soldier who died during World War I. It was designed by Herbert Baker and is located in Westminster Abbey, near the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Arlington National Cemetery. The idea of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior was inspired by David Railton, a British Army chaplain who served in France during World War I, and was supported by King George V, Winston Churchill, and Douglas Haig.

● History

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior was created in 1920 to commemorate the Unknown soldier who died during World War I. The idea was inspired by David Railton, who was influenced by the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Verdun, and Battle of Passchendaele. The British Government and Church of England supported the idea, and it was designed by Herbert Baker, who also designed the Delhi War Cemetery and Tyne Cot Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior was unveiled on November 11, 1920, by King George V, in the presence of Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Arthur Balfour.

● Significance

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is significant because it represents the Unknown soldier who died during World War I, and serves as a symbol of Remembrance Day and Armistice Day. It is also a reminder of the Battle of the Marne, Battle of Cambrai, and Battle of Amiens, and the sacrifices made by British Army soldiers, including Ernest Shackleton, T.E. Lawrence, and Wilfred Owen. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is also connected to other War memorials, such as the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, which was designed by John Crust.

● Location

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is located in Westminster Abbey, near the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Arlington National Cemetery. It is situated in the Nave of the Abbey, near the Tomb of Henry VII and the Coronation Chair. The location is significant because Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar, and has been the site of many Coronations, including those of Queen Elizabeth II, King George VI, and King Edward VIII. The Abbey is also the final resting place of many British monarchs, including King Henry V, King Edward I, and King Charles II.

● Ceremony

The Ceremony of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is an important event that takes place on Remembrance Day and Armistice Day. The ceremony is attended by British royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. It is also attended by British politicians, including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and British military leaders, including the Chief of the Defence Staff. The ceremony includes the Laying of wreaths, the Playing of the Last Post, and the Observance of two minutes' silence, which is also observed at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

● Legacy

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior has a significant Legacy because it has inspired the creation of other War memorials around the world, including the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, and the United States Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. It has also inspired the work of War poets, including Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and Rupert Brooke, who wrote about the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Verdun, and Battle of Passchendaele. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior has also been the subject of many Books, including those written by Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, and Arthur Balfour.

● Restoration

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior has undergone several Restoration projects over the years, including a major restoration in 2010 to mark the 90th anniversary of its unveiling. The restoration was carried out by English Heritage, and included the cleaning and conservation of the Tomb and its surroundings. The restoration was supported by British heritage organizations, including the National Trust, and Historic England, and was attended by British royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior continues to be an important symbol of Remembrance Day and Armistice Day, and is visited by thousands of people each year, including Veterans of World War I and World War II, and Politicians from around the world, including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the President of France.

Category:War memorials