Annual commemorative event preceded by service at S. Silvestro

The annual Commonwealth Remembrance Day service takes place on Tuesday 11 November at the Rome Commonwealth War Cemetery, Via Nicola Zabaglia 50, starting at 10.30. Readings take place at 10.45 and at 11.00 there is two minutes’ silence to remember those who have given their lives in war.

The ceremony will be conducted by the minister of St Andrew's Church of Scotland, Reverend Willie McCulloch, assisted by clergy from the English-speaking churches in Rome, as well as those of other faiths.

Afterwards there is a wreath-laying ceremony by the Commonwealth ambassadors or their representatives, starting with the embassy of Australia and ending with Zambia.

Later, all guests are invited to refreshments at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador's residence, from midday to 13.00.

Preceding the event, on Sunday 9 November at 10.00, is the Remembrance Mass at the church of S. Silvestro in Capite, with liturgy arranged by the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

There are a number of Commonwealth war graves in Italy, all administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Those in Rome, Anzio and Monte Cassino are among the most important.

The Rome War Cemetery was designed by Louis de Soissons, who designed about 50 war cemeteries throughout Italy and Greece, and it contains the graves of 426 Commonwealth service people.