The armistice signed by Germany and Allied Powers on November 11, 1918, marked the ceasefire to end the bloodiest of wars.

It’s the 100th anniversary of that momentous event which the nation will commemorate on Sunday.

So why do some war memorials use the dates 1914-19?

The Middlesbrough cenotaph on Linthorpe Road, for example, is inscribed: “The Glorious Dead - 1914-1919.”

Buy why not 1918? Here’s the official War Memorial Trust explanation.

Who should war memorials remember?

As the creation of war memorials has traditionally been organised locally, with there being no central government directives or funding, the question of who is or is not commemorated, the form in which their details are recorded and which conflict dates are used is held to be a local matter. Also known as the Armistice of Compiègne from the place where it was signed, it came into force at 11am Paris time on November 112, 1918 (“the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”), marking a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany (although not formally a surrender).

Middlesbrough Cenotaph commemorating "The Glorious Dead, 1914-1919"
Middlesbrough Cenotaph commemorating "The Glorious Dead, 1914-1919"

And what are the rules?

There are no definitive “rules” for the names included on war memorials, or for which war dates are used. This is why some memorials include those who died of wounds or disease (during or after a war) as well as those killed in action, or include civilian alongside service casualties.

So should it be 1914-18 or 1914-19?

1914-18 are the most common dates for the First World War found on war memorials, commemorating the years the war commenced and the year armistice was declared. However, it’s not unusual to find the dates 1914-19 of First World War memorials. The 1919 date refers to the year the Treaty of Versailles was signed. This was the peace treaty drawn up by the nations who attended the Paris Peace Conference and officially ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers when it was signed on June 28, 1919.

Are other dates used?

Some war memorials also feature the dates 1914-1921, although this is less common. On August 25, 1921, the USA signed a separate peace treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Berlin. However, as explained, there are no rules for war memorial inscriptions so any of the “end” dates - 1918, 191 or 1921 - are correct as the local community decided to use the dates which were felt most appropriate.