<P> In his own words, Sir Percy stated: "I was so stunned by the news that I could not leave the hotel . An hour or two afterwards I received a cable from Lord Long of Wexhall: "Thank you . Walter Long ." Only then did I know that my proposal had reached the King and had been accepted and that the Cabinet knew the source ." </P> <P> Sir Percy Fitzpatrick was thanked for his contribution by Lord Stamfordham, the King's Private Secretary: </P> <Dl> <Dd> Dear Sir Percy, </Dd> <Dd> The King, who learns that you are shortly to leave for South Africa, desires me to assure you that he ever gratefully remembers that the idea of the Two Minute Pause on Armistice Day was due to your initiation, a suggestion readily adopted and carried out with heartfelt sympathy throughout the Empire . </Dd> <Dd> Signed Stamfordham </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> Dear Sir Percy, </Dd>

When did it become a 2 minute silence