Worship at the Abbey

The concept of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior was inspired by the Reverend David Railton (1884-1955) who was a curate in Folkestone before becoming a chaplain on the Western Front. In 1916 in a back garden at Armentières, he noticed a grave with a rough cross on which were penciled the words ‘An Unknown British Soldier’.

In August 1920 he wrote to H E Ryle Dean of Westminster suggesting a permanent memorial to the fallen of World War One. King George V embraced the idea and in 1920 David Railton saw his dream become reality.

A year later, the Union flag which he had used during the war to drape over his makeshift altars – and over the bodies of soldiers killed in action - was donated to the Abbey. The Padre’s Flag now hangs in St George’s Chapel close to the Warrior’s grave.

Today the Grave of the Unknown Warrior is one of the most famous of the Abbey’s memorials. Visiting Heads of State include in their itinerary a wreathlaying at the grave.