Adam "A reminder that, as is traditional around here, the forum will close for 20 minutes (11/11/17) around 1100, for Armistice Day. ~A" Thanks ! Ron
Great grandad. KIA Neuve Chappelle. 38 years old. Five kids. Great uncle John Morgan Richards. RE Lt. Volunteered from reserved occupation. Killed November 30th 1944, Burma, when Jeep struck a mine. (As far as we know. His close family are said to have never spoken of him after death.)
I attended the local ceremony. Very well attended despite the rain. A replacement panel (it was unreadable) was put in place by Quedgley Parish Council. All credit to them. The local school have taken to hand decorating stones with poppies. Order of Service. A 1918 casualty of the RAF in the churchyard. Lieutenant D.H Sessions, M.C. died 20 June 1918. I wonder how he got it.
Page 5014 | Supplement 30651, 23 April 1918 | London Gazette | The Gazette T./2nd Lt. Donald Humphrey Sessions, Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During two months -he did 111 hours' flying on artillery work, often under heavy anti-aircraft fire. He constantly observed most successfully for the artillery, causing direct hits on gun pits, fires and explosions. Reginald Victor Sessions 20.6.18 Lt D H Sessions and AMI H Munton, 1 (Obs.) Sch of AG. Killed whilst flying, DH4 B5454, UK.
Air Mechanic 1st Class MUNTON, HERBERT Service Number 31614 Died 20/06/1918 Aged 35 No.3, School of Aerial Gunnery, Royal Air Force Son of George Munton; husband of Hannah Fisher Munton, of 36, Chadwick St., West Gorton, Manchester. "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some relevent news clippings in relation to D H Sessions;- Kyle
A four minute silence beginning at five to eleven, and they forgot the Binyon. Other than that, blinding! There's a part of me that misses the well-oiled big city service, but there's a certain charm to a suburban shambles too. Decent turnout, which I suppose is the main thing.
Just finished watching the BBC's coverage of the ceremony in Whitehall. I marched on this parade two years running and the memory is still with me of being immensely uplifted by the huge crowd of spectators. Next week, G-d willing, I will be at the AJEX parade but, choosing not to march,I will instead have a seat by the Cenotaph. I'll let you know how I got on next week ! Ron
My Great Uncle. 3386087. Private A. Marshall. 1st Battalion The East Lancashire Regiment, 'A' Company. 3 Corps, 42nd Div, 126th Infantry Brigade. W.I.A. 21.05.40. & D.O.W. 25.05.40. He his buried in a Cemetery no more than a mile from my house ( Darwen, Lancashire). I think we can say that it is somewhat rare the a young man goes to war, & comes back to his home town. Its a long story that I've not yet paid much attention too. I have been rather busy with is younger Brother. Apology for there not being a photo of his headstone. Below is a extract from the War diaries WO/167-782 April-June 40. I'm rather pleased that my Great Grand Mother kept a tin load of documents about her two sons . Regards Stu.
My journey to the Gloucester War Memorial today, did not go according to plan, as the police shut the surrounding roads. By the time I parked my car and walked, the ceremony was almost finished and I could not see a thing. A huge number of people came, compared to the last few years. I went back later to get some photos. I've decided to claim my place early in 2018 and go on the bus. Due to building work around the base of Gloucester Cathedral, there were no wreaths laid to the fallen by the Gloucester Hussars memorial. I applaud the person who laid a small bouquet at the base.
A beautiful day once again at the Chindits Memorial on the Victoria Embankment. I do not think I have experienced rain in my 8 years of attending our short service there, which is made all the more poignant as it is within earshot of the Cenotaph.
At Cockermouth today saw these old 2 veterans having a good old chat. Right is Herbert Phillips RASC D-Day,Holland and Germany. Left is Alan Johnston Dispatch rider, Royal Signals was firstly in the merchant navy then joined the army he was in Egypt,Italy and Palestine.
Never mind that. They fought, survived and here they are still remembering and cherishing the comradeship of the services.
