Britain’s leading bomb disposal expert, Major Chris Hunter, has backed the Daily Mirror’s call for people to honour Remembrance Day on their doorstep.
Tiered lockdowns will put many Remembrance sites, such as London’s Cenotaph, off-limits to most people for the two-minute silence.
So at 11am on November 8, we are urging people to take to their doorsteps to show support.
Major Hunter called it a “wonderful idea to remember the fallen.”
He said: “It’s a way of us all invoking the kind of spirit shown by so many in wartime, by adapting to find ways to honour our long-time traditions.
“Remembrance Sunday is such an important date and, of course, we all need to stick to the rules while showing unity in remembering those who sacrificed everything for us.”
The 47-year-old major, presented with the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for bravery in Iraq, added: “This two minutes of silence is so important to serving military personnel, veterans and civilians alike.”
He joins a list of supporters including PM Boris Johnson and the head of the Armed Forces, Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter.
Also joining our call is Labour leader Keir Starmer, who declared: “We can still honour our heroes.” And the head of the Royal Marines, Major General Matt Holmes, also backed it.
A limited number of veterans, members of the Royal Family and politicians will attend the Cenotaph service.
Government guidance exempts Remembrance Sunday events but social distancing will limit commemorations. Among others to support us is Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 36, who lost both legs and suffered 40 other injuries in Afghanistan in 2006.
The Royal British Legion is behind our appeal, along with Col Richard Kemp, 61, ex-commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, and Falklands War hero Simon Weston, 59.
