Bells rang out for the Armistice

When the bells rang out on the 11th November 1918 they announced the end of the most catastrophic war the world had yet seen. At the time, bells were at the heart of the community, marking events of great significance and communicating to people long before modern technology connected us. Bellringing has always had a much wider function than its role in the church, but most of us today are not aware of its broad and inclusive service.

Bell ringers lost their lives

Many bell ringers joined the war effort, and many lost their lives. Just after the war, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers wrote to all bell towers to compile the Roll of Honour. At the time 1077 men were reported as lost. More recent research has uncovered over 300 ringers who died in service. In total some 1400 bell ringers lost their lives in the Great War. A loss to them and their families. A loss to communities.