Beyond the Deepening Shadow – WW1 Centenary

As I’m sure everyone will know today is a special day, as today, the 11th of the 11th 2018, marks the centenary of the end of the First World War.

The Royal British Legion have been commemorating the occasion in various ways. Just in London there is the ‘Weeping Window’ display of Poppies at the Imperial War Museum and also the ‘Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers’ event at the Tower of London.

Smoke filled the moat as the ceremony started.
Smoke filled the moat as the ceremony started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunately, I have been able to visit both places to see how they’re celebrating the centenary. Today I will share some photographs from my experience at the Tower of London. I made sure that we got there for when the ceremony started at 5pm. It was incredible to watch the Tower moat come to life as each individual flame was lit by volunteers.

The podium where the first flame stands lit up.
Four Yeoman Warders came out first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of people gathered to watch the ceremony in front of the Tower of London. It started off with a procession led by the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. They ceremoniously lit the first flame before the team of volunteers, consisting of former servicemen and women, lit the rest of the flames as music played in the background.

Volunteers started to walk up to collect their flames.
The moat starts to light up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond the Deepening Shadow happened over 8 nights. The last night is of course tonight and each night 10,000 flames illuminated the dry moat. Lest We Forget.

“Beyond the Deepening ShadowΒ is an evolving installation, which will unfold each evening over the course of four hours with the Tower moat gradually illuminated by individual flames.” – The Tower of London website, found here.

 

A single Yeoman Warder stands among the flames.
A single figure stands silhouetted, like a soldier at war.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The moat is lit up by 10,000 flames.

To find out more about the event read here:
https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/explore/the-tower-remembers/#gs.B8q_ETA

All photography used in this blog post is my own.

16 Comments

  1. Chloe Elizabeth says:

    This looks incredible – what an experience!!! xx

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      It was amazing, so glad I went to see it! xx

  2. Such a beautiful event and a tribute to the centenary. The lights add a lovely atmosphere x

    Megan | https://meganelizabethlifestyle.com/

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      They really do! It was an amazing event! xx

  3. A wonderful blog post. I think it’s so important to keep remembrance alive. Thank you so much for sharing these photos – the one with the shadow of a soldier is so powerful.

    Bex | theatricalmess.wordpress.com

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      It certainly is, I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this post! Thank you, it’s one of my favourites. x

  4. Beautiful photos. Every year on remembrance day it reminds you of all those who sacrificed and it’s so touching. Lest we forget x

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      Thank you so much! x

  5. I think this was a beautiful tribute to the centenary. I’m so impressed wtih what they created!

    Love, Amie ❀
    The Curvaceous Vegan

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      It really was, they’re so clever! The poppy one last year was just as beautiful! x

  6. What a great tribute, this looks like such a special event to witness. I’ve never been but I would love to go one year.

    Chloe xx
    http://www.chloechats.com

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      It really was spectacular! I can’t wait to see what they do for it next year! xx

  7. This looks so poignant! What a beautiful yet sombre remembrance. Thank you for sharing your photos and experience. Rach x

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      Thank you for your lovely comment, it really was! x

  8. Thanks for sharing the images I didn’t get chance to see the lights this year but I saw the poppies a few years back and was so moved. I feel like I’ve lived the experience through you now x

    1. Imogen Chloe says:

      Both ceremonies were absolutely beautiful and a lovely way to mark the occasion! Really pleased you enjoyed! x

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