The tomb of the Unknown Warrior, which is located at the west end of the Nave of Westminster Abbey in London, symbolizes the courage and sacrifice made by members of the British armed forces who fell during the Great War. Ever since the Unknown Warrior was interred in the abbey at a State Funeral on 11 November 1920, his tomb has become a place of pilgrimage for people throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland and for visitors to the city. To date over seventy heads of state have laid a wreath at the tomb. The Unknown Warrior also has a special significance for members of the Western Front Association. Each year on 10 November, the London Branch of the WFA holds a Service of Remembrance at Platform 8 of Victoria Station in London, which is where the coffin holding his remains lay overnight on 10 November 1920 prior to the State Funeral the following day.
Gerry White, the Island of Ireland Trustee and chair of the Cork Branch, has attended the service at Victoria Station for a number of years. In this presentation he tells the story of the Unknown Warrior. He explains who conceived the idea, how the Unknown Warrior was selected, his journey back to London and his State Funeral. He also looks at some of the questions about the Unknown Warrior that have been raised over the years.