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1st LD Writethru: Two-minute silence across Britain to mark 70th anniversary of VE Day

Xinhua, May 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

A two-minute silence was held across Britain Friday afternoon, through the buzz of the British general election, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of war in Europe.

The silence at the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall began at 3:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT). Prime Minister David Cameron, who led his Conservative Party to victory, took part in the event and laid a wreath.

Randolph Churchill, great grandson of Winston Churchill, read an extract from the speech the war-time prime minister gave 70 years ago.

Remembrance events will be held across Britain. A beacon will be lit at the Tower of London on the bank of Thames River Friday evening, while Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament will be lit up with special V-shaped lights until Sunday evening, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Victory in Europe.

More than 200 beacons around the country will be lit Friday evening.

Churches and cathedrals across Britain will ring their bells at 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) across Britain on Saturday as part of the nationwide commemorative events.

Queen Elizabeth II and members of the royal family, as well as representatives of Allied Nations and Commonwealth countries who fought with Britain in the World War Two will attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey with up to 1,000 veterans and their families on Sunday.

Afterwards, a parade of over 2,000 service personnel, veterans and their guests will march from Westminster Abbey to Horse Guards Parade, passing the balcony in Whitehall where Winston Churchill appeared before the crowds on VE Day after his famous speech to mark victory in Europe 70 years ago.

The Red Arrows will make a flypast over central London on Sunday.

With the end of around six years of war, there were street parties across Britain when Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945.

Imperial War Museum London will evoke the spirit of street parties and gatherings from May 8 to 10, to offer a festive afternoon tea in its Tea Room and themed cakes and decorations.

Statistics showed around 400,000 Britons were killed during the World War Two, including military and civilian deaths. Endit