Across continents and cultures, Remembrance Day 2025 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring bonds of memory and gratitude shared by nations touched by conflict. On November 11, communities from Nagaland in India to Freshwater in England, and as far as Australia and Singapore, are coming together to honor the sacrifices of British and Commonwealth servicemen and women who gave their lives during the World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
This year, Nagaland will once again join the global observance, marking the day with solemnity and reflection. According to a release from the State’s Home Department cited by Nagaland Tribune, the initiative is a partnership between the Nagaland State Government and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). The aim? To remind citizens of the human cost of war and to reinforce a collective commitment to peace. Remembrance Day, the statement emphasizes, "serves as a solemn tribute to those who died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, offering an occasion to reflect on their courage and sacrifice in defence of freedom."
The roots of this commemoration in Nagaland are recent but deeply meaningful. The first formal observance was held on November 11, 2024, attended by the British Deputy High Commissioner. That event, according to the Home Department, "strengthened ties between Nagaland and the United Kingdom" and set the precedent for what is now an annual fixture in the State government’s calendar. The focus on the Battle of Kohima—a pivotal clash during the Second World War—reaffirms the region’s significance in global military history.
This year’s ceremony will unfold at the Kohima War Cemetery on the morning of November 11. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will serve as the Special Guest, while Bhaarat Dave, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, will be the Honoured Guest. The guest list is a testament to the event’s growing stature: representatives from the embassies of the United Kingdom and Ireland, legislators, senior officials, Army and Police personnel, war veterans, and other distinguished invitees are all expected to attend.
The day’s program is designed to be both educational and evocative. Attendees can explore book stalls dedicated to the Battle of Kohima, enjoy vibrant flower displays, and listen to musical performances. In a nod to history and nostalgia, the Nagaland Flatfenders Club will flag off a Vintage Cars Rally—a visual reminder of the era being commemorated. As the day transitions into evening, the focus will shift to Banquet Hall, Hotel Vivor, for a program beginning at 5 p.m. This gathering will feature a conversation titled “The Battle of Kohima: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow,” led by advisor Abu Metha and politician-author Mmhonlumo Kikon, followed by more music and a communal dinner. The event is set to bring together dignitaries, scholars, writers, and media members, fostering a spirit of reflection and dialogue.
Remembrance Day’s resonance is not limited to Nagaland. In the United Kingdom, communities large and small are holding their own ceremonies. On November 9, 2025—Remembrance Sunday—the village of Freshwater gathered at All Saints Church for a poignant service and wreath-laying ceremony. As reported by County Press, poppies, the enduring symbol of remembrance, were placed on graves in the churchyard, including that of Emily, Lady Tennyson, wife of the famed poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Inside the church, poppies adorned the interior, and a special display honored the 15 Commonwealth War Graves located within its grounds.
The service began at 10 a.m., led by Law Worship Leader Sally Boulter, and was followed by a wreath-laying attended by parishioners, residents, and former MP and veteran Bob Seely. Seely, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, laid a wreath on behalf of the Freshwater Parish. The event, as captured by local photographers and shared in a live blog, underscored how remembrance is woven into the fabric of British community life, from bustling cities to quiet villages.
Meanwhile, at the national level, the United Kingdom’s Royal Family continues its tradition of honoring the fallen, though this year brings a notable change. Princess Anne, usually a fixture at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, will miss the ceremony on November 9. Instead, as reported by Town & Country, she is in Australia on a four-day royal tour to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which she has been Colonel-in-Chief since 1977.
During her visit, Princess Anne will undertake a series of military engagements in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Buckingham Palace confirmed, "The Princess will undertake a series of military engagements in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane during the four-day visit to commemorate the centenary. As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Her Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Sydney War Cemetery." She will also attend a Remembrance Service at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney and, on November 11, lay a wreath at the 7 Combat Signal Regiment Memorial in Brisbane to acknowledge Armistice Day. Anne’s husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, will accompany her throughout the tour. After Australia, the royal couple will travel to Singapore to celebrate sixty years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Britain.
Although Princess Anne has not served in the armed forces herself, she holds several honorary military titles, including Admiral and Chief Commandant of Women in the Royal Navy. Historically, she has joined her brother, King Charles, and her nephew, Prince William, in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph during Remembrance Sunday services. Her absence this year is keenly felt by many, but her presence at ceremonies in Australia and Singapore highlights the global nature of remembrance and the bonds that connect the Commonwealth’s past and present.
Remembrance Day’s rituals—whether the quiet placing of poppies on graves, the solemn laying of wreaths, or the communal sharing of music and conversation—serve as vital reminders of the cost of conflict and the value of peace. From Nagaland’s Kohima War Cemetery to Freshwater’s All Saints Church, from the Cenotaph in London to memorials in Australia and Singapore, the message is clear: the sacrifices of those who served must never be forgotten. Each ceremony, each poppy, each moment of silence, strengthens the resolve to remember—and to strive for a more peaceful future.
