You are at the top of the page

Skip to content or footer

Start of main content

The Tower of London remembers

First World War centenary commemorations at the Tower of London

First World War centenary

In 2014 the Tower of London marked the centenary of the outbreak of The First World War (WWI) with the commemorative art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, which saw the moat filled with thousands of ceramic poppies.

In 2018 the Tower once again became a site of commemoration, marking 100 years since the end of WWI with Beyond the Deepening Shadow. The nightly candle lighting ceremony in the moat was led by the Yeoman Warders and created a circle of light radiating from the Tower as a symbol of remembrance.

Both commemorative events at the Tower were part of the world-wide, First World War centenary commemorations that began on 28 July 2014 and ended on 11 November 2018.

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red

A close view of some of the ceramic poppies that appeared around the Tower of London over the summer of 2014. Over 800,000 poppies formed a major art installation marking the centenary of the First World War.

Image: A close view of some of the ceramic poppies at appeared around the Tower in 2014 © Historic Royal Palaces

The major art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London marked one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's involvement in the First World War.

Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies progressively filled the Tower's famous moat between July and November 2014.

21,688 people volunteered to install the poppies. Each poppy represented a British military fatality during the war.

A view of the poppies installation depicting poppies in a structure where they appear to be spilling out of the Tower

Image: A view of over 800,000 ceramic poppies, including "the Wave" that appeared around the Tower in summer 2014. © Historic Royal Palaces

Poppies fill the Tower moat

The poppies encircled the Tower, creating not only a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower, but also a location for personal reflection.

The scale of the installation was intended to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary and create a powerful visual commemoration.

Each day in the moat at sunset, names of 180 Commonwealth troops killed during the war were read out as part of a Roll of Honour, followed by the Last Post.

Members of the public nominated names for the Roll of Honour using a weekly ‘first come, first served’ nomination system to be read the following week in this nightly ceremony.

Watch making the poppies: The Tower of London Remembers

All of the 888,246 ceramic poppies were handmade by a team of artists and people with links to the British Armed Forces.

Paul Cummins, artist and creator of the installation, oversaw the making of the poppies, which took place in a large industrial space in Derby - a town with a rich industrial history, reflecting the artist's desire to make the poppies using techniques that would have been used one hundred years ago.

Video Transcript of Making the Poppies: The Tower of London Remembers

Follow along with an interactive transcript of Making the Poppies: The Tower of London Remembers on YouTube. A link to open the transcript can be found in the description. 

Three Yeoman Warders with one at the front and two either side behind him holding poppies with the Tower in the backdrop

Image: Yeoman Serjant Crawford Butler with Yeomen Warders John Donald and Andrew Merry, each holding a ceramic poppy © Historic Royal Palaces

The role of the Yeoman Warders

The Yeoman Warders played an important part in the installation of the poppies in the moat and their involvement had personal significance - each member of the Yeoman Body has served in one of the British Armed Forces.

A site of remembrance and reflection

The Tower of London has a unique place in the history of WWI. On the outbreak of war, many men formed battalions with their friends, known as PALS battalions.

The Tower of London was involved in the formation of one of the first of the friends battalions, with many regiments training at the Tower before making their way to the Western Front.

Dedications

Five million people from countries around the world travelled to the Tower of London to see the poppies. 

A special dedications page was created in honour of a loved one who may have previously served in the military or those who were still engaged in military service.

View the dedications made as part of the Tower of London Remembers project.

Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers

The Tower Moat, showing an aerial view of the "Beyond the Deepening Shadow" installation and surrounding lit-up city skyline.

Image: The Tower Moat with a light installation called ''Beyond The Deepening Shadow'' made to commemorate the end of the first world war © Historic Royal Palaces 

In November 2018, thousands of flames were lit in the moat of the Tower of London to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

This new installation, created by Designer Tom Piper and Sound Artist Mira Calix, saw the moat lit with thousands of individual flames; a public act of remembrance for the lives of the fallen, honouring their sacrifice.

Members of the public were invited to the Tower of London to see the installation evolve each night, and to join in a public act of commemoration.

A shot of a Yeoman Warder in the Tower Moat lighting an Armistice torch as part of his ceremonial duty at the "Beyond the Deepening Shadow" public event.

Image: The Tower Moat showing Yeoman Warder Andy Shedden Lighting an Armistice torch for the ''Beyond the Deepening Shadow'' event © Historic Royal Palaces

Lighting the first flame

Each evening, over the course of four hours, the Tower moat became illuminated by individual flames. The Yeoman warders, themselves all distinguished former servicemen and women, ceremonially lit the first flame.

A powerful symbol of remembrance

In a moving ritual, a team of volunteers lit the rest of the installation, gradually creating a circle of light, radiating from the Tower as a powerful symbol of remembrance. 

The unfolding visual spectacle was accompanied by a specially-commissioned sound installation; a sonic exploration of the shifting tide of political alliances, friendship, love and loss in war.

Artist Mira Calix created a new choral work for the installation, One lighted look for me, with words from the War Poet, Mary Borden’s Sonnets to a Soldier.

A close view of the flames (armistice torches) at the "Beyond the Deepening Shadow" public event. “Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers” was a public act of remembrance to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Image: A close view of the flames (armistice torches) at the ''Beyond the Deepening Shadow'' public event © Historic Royal Palaces.

They do not know that in this shadowed place It is your light they see upon my face.

Mary Borden, Sonnets to a Soldier.

Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers

In this film, we look back on Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers and reflect on the commemorations.

Remembering WWI: The 2014-2018 Centenary commemorations

The First World War was the first global conflict, 'A war to end all wars.' Over 30 countries joined the war between 1914-1918.

Fighting occurred not only in Europe on the 'Western Front', but in south eastern and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

An estimated 37 million people, military personnel and civilians, lost their lives.
The 2014-2018 First World War Centenary commemorations were a world-wide act of remembrance to honour and remember those who lost their lives in the Great War.

Why do we remember WWI?

Watch the animation

After 100 years, stories of the First World War are fading from memory. How can we keep them alive? 

Browse more history and stories

The Tower of London and the First World War

The Tower of London played an important role in the First World War

The Tower of London and the Second World War

Life at the Tower of London during the Second World War

Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London

The ‘Beefeaters’ have been guarding the Tower since Tudor times

Explore what's on

BOOKING SOON

  • For members
  • Events

Members-only Ceremony of the Keys

Members-only access to the traditional locking up of the Tower of London, the Ceremony of the Keys.

  • 08 December 2024; 19 January, 16 February, 23 March 2025
  • 21:30
  • Tower of London
  • Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Learn more
  • Tours and talks

Ceremony of the Keys

Be part of this ancient tradition, which has taken place every night for at least 700 years in the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

  • Daily
  • From 21:30-22:05
  • Tower of London
  • Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Learn more
  • Tours and talks

Audio Guide Tour

Explore deeper with the Tower of London audio guide tour. Discover extra information about the Tower's history, plan your day and find out more about our cafés and shops.

  • Available
  • Tower of London
  • Separate ticket
Learn More

Shop online

Shop Ravens

It is said that if the six ravens were ever to leave the Tower of London then the Tower and the kingdom will fall. Naturally, to preserve the kingdom six ravens are kept to live and protect the Tower of London.

From £2.50

Tower of London Navy Raven Sweatshirt

Inspired by the infamous ravens of the Tower of London, this sweatshirt will keep you warm on those chilly days.

£38.00

White Tower Decoration

This sparkling silver luxury White Tower hanging decoration is hand embroidered using the same metal thread work techniques used to sew royal dresses and finery in centuries past.

£13.00