Author Topic: Reflecting on Armistice  (Read 3464 times)

Offline J.R.Ellam

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Reflecting on Armistice
« on: Monday 12 November 18 08:03 GMT (UK) »
Hi

I was thinking about all the wonderful events that went into commemorating this year's Armistice when a thought came to me! are we commemorating the right time.
We know that the ceasefire started on the 11 hour of the 11 day of the 11 month but which time zone did they use.
France and Belgium are 1 hour in front of England. So, if it was the French time zone the time of the Armistice would have been 10 o'clock in England so shouldn't we have commemorated the event then. Or if it was the English time zone and with the War being in France & Belgium shouldn't the time of the Armistice be 12 o'clock not 11.

John
Ellam, Mills, Ellins
Firth, Wood, Muffitt
Hill, Mattinson, Nicholson
Morrey, Hudson, Limb

Offline Kiltpin

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #1 on: Monday 12 November 18 09:25 GMT (UK) »

France and Belgium are 1 hour in front of England.


But were they 1 hour in front of the UK in 1911?

Regards

Chas
Whannell - Eaton - Jackson
India - Scotland - Australia

Offline Sinann

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #2 on: Monday 12 November 18 09:36 GMT (UK) »
Evening Herald Nov 11 1918
Foch's Message
Wireless news transmitted through the wireless stations of French Government.
From Marshal Foch to Commander in Chief
Hostilities will cease on the whole front as of November 11 at 11 o'clock (French time).

I don't know if the French time was added by the newspaper but it looks like there was a time difference.

Offline Maggsie

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #3 on: Monday 12 November 18 09:43 GMT (UK) »
Hi,
1884 the time zone was introduced around the word, the 24 hours clock, GMT + hour etc.
The UK summertime was introduced in 1915, during the war.

Maggsie


Offline Kiltpin

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #4 on: Monday 12 November 18 09:54 GMT (UK) »
Hi,
1884 the time zone was introduced around the word, the 24 hours clock, GMT + hour etc.
The UK summertime was introduced in 1915, during the war.

Maggsie


Yes, but it was November.

Regards

Chas
Whannell - Eaton - Jackson
India - Scotland - Australia

Offline Maggsie

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #5 on: Monday 12 November 18 10:10 GMT (UK) »
Even Australia use 11.00 am
Maggsie

Offline heywood

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #6 on: Monday 12 November 18 10:27 GMT (UK) »
Even Australia use 11.00 am
Maggsie

I think that is the situation - it is 11.00 am local time.
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Offline JohninSussex

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #7 on: Monday 12 November 18 10:43 GMT (UK) »
There are two questions here.
1) in 1918 there was fighting taking place in Europe, in particular France/Belgium, the negotiations took place there, it was quite clear that it was 1100 local time.
2) Each year since, we have marked the occasion by falling silent at 11:00 "our time" wherever that is.  And from I think 1946 or so, the tradition of Remembrance Sunday took over from always marking the occasion on the 11th itself.  This year, the 11th happens to fall on a Sunday so that issue doesn't arise.
Rutter, Sampson, Swinerd, Head, Redman in Kent.  Others in Cheshire, Manchester, Glos/War/Worcs.
RUTTER family and Matilda Sampson's Will:

Offline Sinann

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Re: Reflecting on Armistice
« Reply #8 on: Monday 12 November 18 11:46 GMT (UK) »
The important thing is to remember not the time.