Armistice Day: Western Diplomats celebrate in Bamenda

British, German and US diplomats on November 9, 2014, visited graves of World War soldiers. The 9th of November, 2014, was World Armistice Day and the historic graves of fallen soldiers from the First World War at the German Fort in Bamenda. This celebration was meant to honour the role they played for the world to be where we are today.

The National Anthems of Cameroon and Britain, prayers for peace, acts and words of remembrance, laying of wreaths and minutes of silence, summed up the event that featured ex-service men, the Inspector General in the North West Governor’s office, Ivo Makoge and the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Felix Nguele Nguele.

At the spot of 20 graves of fallen German and British soldiers, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, His Excellency Brian Olley, told participants that the event reminds all who gave their lives for the peace and freedom the world enjoys today.

He said the second Sunday of November every year offers a rare moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by brave service men and women, “… especially when we remember not just their deaths, terrible though they were, but also those who live on with life-changing injuries of war,” he pointed out.

Equally around to commemorate the day were German Ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Klaus Ludwig Keferstein, U.S Ambassador, His Excellency Michael Hoza, the Liaison Officer of the Fraternal Union of Cameroon Ex-Servicemen of the Crown, Dick Scottea, etc.

Also to present at the unique and memorial site are the graves of Franz Mensel, Hans Glauning, Valentin Czodrowski, Richard Ernst, Peggy James, J.W Lunn, etc.