Remembrance Day: Why Gen Z Are Losing Interest

Remembrance Sunday is fast approaching, with nationwide proceedings - including in Cheltenham - beginning across the weekend.

The National Service of Remembrance will begin on 11am on the 10th of November in Whitehall, London.

In Cheltenham, Armistice Day (the 11th of November) will host a parade organised by the Royal British Legion, observing a two minute silence at 11am as well.

It's a hugely important occasion in the UK, marking the end of World War One and acting as a moment to remember other conflicts, both past and present.

It's the 110th year of the occasion - and that age is showing, as data shows that younger generations are losing interest in the proceedings.

An Ipsos study undertaken in 2023 showed that only 65% of Gen Z consider Remembrance Day an important mark in history - contrasted against 81% of Gen Z and 90% of Baby Boomers. Only 34% of Gen Z said they were likely to even wear the commemorative poppy - contrasted with 72% of baby boomers.

What, then, is detracting the younger generations from the marked occasion?

I went into Cheltenham on the eve of Remembrance weekend to find some thoughts: How people were remembering, what Gen Z thought of the holiday in a modern context…

And even a veterans thoughts on the importance of the occasion for the future.