An Unknown Warrior

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012020110920201110 (R4)Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Arthur Somervell: The 'Thalassa' Symphony in D minor

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Arthur Somervell: The 'Thalassa' Symphony in D minor

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

022020111020201111 (R4)Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive or during the funeral service itself:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Arthur Somervell: The 'Thalassa' Symphony in D minor

Beethoven: Equale for Trombones

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive or during the funeral service itself:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Arthur Somervell: The 'Thalassa' Symphony in D minor

Beethoven: Equale for Trombones

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

032020111120201112 (R4)Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the cortege left Victoria Station, at the Cenotaph or while the congregation waited in the Abbey for it to arrive:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Chopin: Funeral March

The Last Post

Alexandre Guilmant: Marche Fun耀bre Et Chant Serကphique

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the cortege left Victoria Station, at the Cenotaph or while the congregation waited in the Abbey for it to arrive:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Chopin: Funeral March

The Last Post

Alexandre Guilmant: Marche Fun耀bre Et Chant Serကphique

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

042020111220201113 (R4)Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive or during the funeral service itself:

Arthur Somervell: The 'Thalassa' Symphony in D minor

Beethoven: Equale for Trombones

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive or during the funeral service itself:

Arthur Somervell: The 'Thalassa' Symphony in D minor

Beethoven: Equale for Trombones

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Stephen Tyers, SPCK

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

052020111320201114 (R4)Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Alexandre Guilmant: Marche Fun耀bre Et Chant Serကphique

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Drawn from official documents of the time, newspaper reports and writings of those involved, this is the story of how, on Armistice Day 1920, 100 years ago, an unknown warrior, was buried among the kings in Westminster Abbey, and became a symbol of a nation's grief and gratitude.

Britain in 1920 was extremely unsettled - spiritually, emotionally and politically. Many were still in mourning for those lost in the Great War. Across the fields of France and Flanders, bodies were still being exhumed and taken to the new war cemeteries, many of them never to be identified.

Many families were never to know where their loved ones were buried. And for those that did, the government had already decided that no bodies were to be returned to their families and that, for the time being, travel to the graves in the fields of France and Flanders was not permitted.

One wise war padre, who felt acutely the sorrow of the bereaved, suggested that one unknown soldier could be brought home. One body to stand for the many.

Readers: Janet Ellis and David Haig

Sound by Lucinda Mason-Brown

Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Wright

Written, compiled and produced by Caroline Raphael

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

The music used in this programme was played as the congregation waited in the Abbey for the cortege to arrive:

Arthur Sullivan: In Memoriam

Alexandre Guilmant: Marche Fun耀bre Et Chant Serကphique

With thanks to:

Charlotte Beskeen & Samantha Gibson: The London Library

Eddie Bundy: British Newspaper Archive

Julie Crocker, Senior Archivist: The Royal Archives

Peter Francis & Andrew Featherston: Commonwealth Graves Commission

Tim Kendall

Tanya-Jayne Park, WRAC Association

Victoria Ribbans: Westminster Abbey

Antony Schipani: Mirrorpix

William Smith: Imperial War Museum

Tasha Swainston, Archivist: National Army Museum

Tony Trowles: Westminster Abbey Collections & Library

Readings to mark the centenary of the funeral of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.