On 11 November 2018, following the traditional service of remembrance at the Cenotaph, members of the public will also have a unique opportunity to take part in a procession past the Cenotaph, to pay their respects and help express the nations thanks to the generation that served, and those that never returned.
The Nation’s Thank You procession will be made up to 10,000 members of the public, who will be selected by a random ballot, which is now open.
You don’t need to have a personal connection with those who served in WW1, although the ballot form does encourage you to tell them about any personal or family connections to the First World War, just for their information — it doesn’t affect the ballot chances.
As this is not a military parade, participants don’t need to march, however, participants can wear their ancestor’s medals.
Due to the expected demand, tickets to the Nation’s Thanks Public Procession will be distributed via a random ballot.
You can apply for up to 2 tickets (you need the guest details for the application), and the results will be announced by 20 August, via the email address used to register.
The ballot closes on 12th August, and you can enter here.
At the same time, people are being encouraged to ring bells around the world, to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918. Or you could apply to join a local bellringer society — they’re seeking 1,400 new members, one for each of the bell ringers who died during WW1.
