Last updated 10:33, Tuesday, 23 September 2008

Remembrance Day is traditionally a time for servicemen and women, veterans and members of the public to honour those lost in times of war.
Now Martin Gilbert, a member of Ulverston Peace Group, has called for Remembrance Day ceremonies to forgo medals and flags because they are “a glorification of war”.
Brian Ford, secretary of Ulverston Royal British Legion, has dismissed Mr Gilbert’s claims, and says there is huge public support for the traditional Remembrance Day parade. DAVID PICKTHALL reports.

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EACH year Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is observed on November 11 to remember the end of the First World War World War I on that date in 1918.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, people across Britain pause to honour anyone, civilian or service- people, lost during a conflict.
However, Martin Gilbert, a member of Ulverston Peace Group, believes the occasion should be stripped of its military connotations.
He has asked Ulverston British Legion to consider a commemoration without military regalia so that the human cost and sacrifice of war can be truly acknowledged.
Mr Gilbert, of Sandhall, Ulverston, believes the symbols of militarism such as parades, uniforms, medals and flags deflect people’s attention, especially the young, away from those who have died fighting for their country.
Mr Gilbert, 68, said: “Many people honour the war dead, both of the armed forces and civilians, and would like to attend the commemorations on Remembrance Sunday, but find it difficult to do so because of what can be seen as a glorification of war.
“The dressing up and playing of bands, and all that comes with the remembrance, detract from the real message, which should be one of honouring sacrifice.
“It used to be very much in civilian dress and by the community, and it’s only in later years that it has been taken over by military trappings.”
Mr Gilbert is not a pacifist but considers himself an anti-militarist, though he does acknowledge the need for a military.
He buys a red poppy from the British Legion each year, but also buys a white poppy which commemorates the dead of all wars.
Mr Gilbert and his friends will be handing out white poppies with explanatory notes in the two weeks leading up to November 10.
He added: “There’s no doubt that sometimes we need armies - take the Spanish civil war and when Winston Churchill phoned Franco, for instance. But it’s when you see how they’ve been misused that brings me to my stance.
“Let me say that I am by no means anti-British Legion, but myself and many people of my generation choose not to bother with Remembrance Sunday ceremonies.
“I think that the sort of message I’m trying to give should be given nationally because the growing trend is that less and less people are turning up to their community cenotaph at Remembrance each year.”
Brian Ford, secretary for Ulverston Royal British Legion, dismissed Mr Gilbert’s suggestions. He said: “I think the veterans who dress up in a blazer with their medals are very proud of it and it seems a very strange thing to suggest that those people should march out without being recognised for what they have done.
“I have never known the Remembrance commemoration to be any different.
“The Royal British Legion, which was original known as the British Legion, was formed in 1921 by military people to help those who were injured and to care for them and their families in the absence of an NHS.”
Mr Ford, 61, also said that there had been staggering support for Ulverston Royal British Legion during remembrance last year.
He added: “We started collecting two weeks prior to remembrance last year with our British Legion door-to-door licence and in Ulverston alone we got over £16,000. And that was not just from older people, so I would not say that any military aspect of the commemoration is alienating younger people.”

• Click here for the report and a slideshow of images from the Battle of Britain remembrance service on Sunday