Powerful commemoration of every life lost in war
This Remembrance Sunday, Every Casualty Counts, hosted by Quakers in Britain, remembered all those killed in wars by projecting a Virtual Cenotaph onto the front of Friends House.
In 2024, at least one civilian was killed in war every 12 minutes. The Virtual Cenotaph's light projection focussed on the deeply personal cost of war, memorialising 100 ordinary people who died through war in 2024.
This inclusive remembrance marked the launch of Every Casualty Counts' Memorial 2025 project, an online memorial to 120 people killed by war in 2024.
Memorial 2025 features the stories of lives lost in Ukraine, Sudan, Mexico, Palestine and other ongoing conflicts around the world, including civilians and military personnel.
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We are proud to support an event which reminds us all of the dreadful human cost of war
- Hannah Brock Womack, peace lead for Quakers in Britain
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Gangiyo Dieudonné Mbolifue was a 23-year-old market vendor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was shot dead by members of the armed group, Union Pour la Paix en Centrafrique, on 8 July 2024.
His family said: “It is good that the world hears about what is happening here and how our lives are affected by violence and conflict on a daily basis."
Hannah Brock Womack, peace lead for Quakers in Britain, said: “Quakers believe there is that of God in everyone. Every life is precious and so killing and violence cannot be justified.
“We are proud to support an event which reminds us all of the dreadful human cost of war."
Every Casualty Counts is an international charity dedicated to ensuring every life lost in armed conflict is recognised.
Executive Director Rachel Taylor said: “Remembrance Day is an important time to reflect on the terrible human cost of war.
“But if we only look to the past and fail to acknowledge the lives being lost today, we are doing a great disservice to everyone who has suffered in war."
She continued: “I believe that remembering Britain's war dead but not acting to spare other families around the world from the same pain today, is a betrayal."
The display was visible to the public along Euston Road and short readings of personal stories accompanied the projection in the Friends House garden.
The event was part of the Alternative Remembrance Sunday Programme which included a ceremony at the Conscientious Objectors Memorial in Tavistock Square with actor Mark Rylance.
Learn how teaching about Remembrance Sunday can support peace education in schools