Always one on the British calendar and yet it is one of the few dates that has no religious significance behind it. The other holidays and festivals all really appear to have come a religious source at some point and are merely carried on in some form or another. This one is specifically aimed at those we lost and in some way reminding ourselves about it.

In some ways the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have only served further to remind us of what it means. They may not be World Wars, but a lot of countries have contributed forces and lost lives in the actions.

Maybe that is the reason that this was one of the first years where both silences, on the Friday and Sunday, were impeccably observed. Normally, someone doesn't see the point and continues to chatter or decides to phone someone and then complains loudly that they don't get an answer.

This year...silence and respect.

If only governments could remember that respecting and honouring soldiers, both the infirm and the dead was not just for a day, but for a lifetime.