Aviva plc

07/15/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/14/2021 20:33

Remembrance

This year, Aviva's Group CEO, Amanda Blanc, recorded a message for all Aviva employees.

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Less than a month after the outbreak of the First World War, Joseph Marius Chazalette was killed in action. His death marks the first of many former employees who lost their lives in the conflict.

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He is remembered in this film, together with all those who died during the first and second world wars.

I am sorry to have to inform you of the death in action of my dear son Edward […] we had hoped that as time went on he would have risen to a position of trust and responsibility, but all our hopes are dashed to the ground with those of many loving parents.

Many employees of our legacy companies fought in the two world wars. By 1918, some had up to 90% of male staff serving in the forces. And over 7,700 male and female employees served during the Second World War. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, their loss was keenly felt.

Our Book of Remembrance includes the names of the 1,623 who died during the conflicts, from 52 constituent companies, and 17 countries. The book was produced by Aviva Group Archive in 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. A searchable PDF version can be found below.

We miss them, we mourn them, but we are proud of them and we know that, though the lapse of centuries may dim the remembrance of their deeds and sacrifices, their names will for ever shine bright.