Remembrance Sunday

I went into Leeds for the first time-Sadly it felt a bit Ad-Hoc as it went along (probably me being overly critical) but a good turn out and good to see two officers of the Yorkshire Rifles looking after the parents of two soldiers killed in Stan.

Next year I think I'll be going to the parade in Morley, Leeds.

 

Went to my village event and it seems to attract yet more people every year.

They dedicated a new panel to the existing memorial to commemorate post war casualties. 1 from Northern Ireland (1977) & 2 from Afghanistan (2010 & 2011).

I then went to place remembrance crosses on 2 x WW1 & 1 x WW2 graves who are buried in the village. I have adopted the private WW2 grave as it tends to get overgrown. To my surprise, I found a relative (niece) at the grave with her partner, wondering who had done the cleanup. They had come from afar themselves, but I had got there first. I was able to tell them more about how he was killed. Lovely to see that he has not been forgotten.

The icing on the cake, was to get home and then to see 3 Spitfires doing a low level flypast around the village (Nothing to do with our ceremony).





All of the newly laid wreaths.



The new panel.



The graves of the 2 fallen from the Afghan conflict.

 

Remembrance of our friends that fell is something we all feel and contribute to.
It is a point that we really do not need special days to recall those we lost. It is with us always as veterans.

But surely, those that suffer with wounds should be cared for..Sadly, they are not. To see politicians carrying wreaths and bowing their heads in front the Cenotaph, does for me have a taint of What?.... Just my personal view as a veteran.

For in truth, help of any kind for the severely war disabled, is few and far between. Indeed in the 68 years since I left hospital I have had no help at all of any kind.....NOTHING. Then recently to be told that I must attend the Medical Centre for my blood tests when they know full well that I find walking of any kind almost impossible, despite my stubborn nature....

Help for hero's? What bloody hypocrisy!there is not help for heroes.... nor ever has been..

To be severely injured, then to fail to care for us, surely speaks for itself.....

While being a completely independent fellow . I have to say I cannot remember how many years since anyone from any society, legion, or War pensioners welfare officers, have ever come to my house.....

Indeed, desperate calls to the medical center were ignored, when I asked for the medical
center manager I was told he was not available, and shortly after He had gone home.... So my calls fell on deaf ears.
But then perhaps having seen a great deal of action from Sword area to the German border and being wounded twice does not make me a Hero. and thus not to be cared for....Remembrance Sunday?

 

Stayed at home & watched it on TV.
Good view of Ron & AJEX Vets at aprrox 12.08 PM
I saw him as well, even rewound the tv to make sure!

 

Went down to the service at the Cenotaph in Bolton earlier. It's always quite moving to look at the field of remembrance. The poem caught my eye and I thought it would be nice to share.

 

Made my visit to the Hull cenotaph today. Not often I can get to go as I usually do my remembrance day on a touchline. But it makes me proud that in all the last 16 years the lads observe the 2 minutes impeccably.
Hull usually has a great turnout and this year was not exception.

I don't know if it is because of the present "conflict" but here in Hull there seemed to be alot of children with their parents/grandparents. So nice to see the next generation being shown how we remember our fallen. My 2 Grandson's aged 3 & 6 both observed the silence without a murmur.

Lest we forget...................Hero's all.

 

Hi Chaps !

Thanks for looking out for the AJEX contingent.

Got home at 13:50 (after being on parade since 09:00)
and after running through the video I set-up before leaving home I found this clip.

That's me top right............ I was in the last rank as usual

Ron

 

Sapper, as a mother of a disabled child I have found shouting at "those deaf ears" usually does the trick. I have had 7 years practise at it and if you are ever in any need of assistance I'd be more than happy to help. I'm just a private message away and though I live in Scotland I'd not mind calling anybody on your behalf. It would be an honour given all this country has put you through.

 

What a beautiful Remembrance Sunday. Glorious sunshine on the Victorian Embankment, so crisp and bright, I could clearly hear all the musical arrangements at the Cenotaph too, including Elgar's Nimrod, which is my favourite.

 

A few pictures from today's Remembrance Parade in Colchester, the weather was kind, and a large turnout, the lads again done well with the Jeeps transporting those veterans unable to walk.
Video of the march past. COLCHESTER REMEMBRANCE PARADE 2012 - YouTube

lofty

 

A beautiful Remembrance Sunday, glorious sunshine here too in East Yorkshire. Met a 91 year old local Veteran from the Royal Navy called Bob

 

There was a fantastic turn out here for the Remembrance parade.

We went to the Festival of Remembrance last night, at the Royal Albert Hall. I'm not sure if anyone else on here was there, or has ever been?

It was the first time we have been (having always watched it on tv before). It was amazing. The atmosphere, the emotion. I can't really put it in to words, but I managed to hold it together until the Bomber Command section, when we all stood and applauded them. I'm sure they cut the applause short on the tv, it went on for ages, and it was so loud.

Absolutely fantastic, if anyone ever has the opportunity to go, I thoroughly recommend it.

 

I hope members will understand this little non WW2 indulgence?

Two friends of mine, Mary Freeman and Mark Banning have spent the weekend in the Ypres Salient. With it being Armistice Day they offered to leave a replacement this morning for the photo I left on the grave of my Gt. Uncle 2 years ago.



The piece of paper you can see is a little poem they read out.

Ballads From Belgium

Last night within the crowded trench
I and a friend lay side by side,
Waiting through fitful dreams for dawn
To bring the flood of battle-tide.
To-night upon the moon-drenched plain,
‘Mid those who did not fear to die,
The friend I loved is lying still,
His wide-eyes staring at the sky.
For there, laid low by cruel war
Ere manhood’s day was scarce begun,
Is many a strong and gallant lad
Who will not see tomorrow’s sun.
So we who wait another day
For aching limbs brief respite, find
A moment’s thought – a moment’s prayer
For these brave dead we leave behind.

Captain Richard Molesworth Dennys, A Company, 10th Loyal North Lancs, attchd 34th Div;
Dow: 24th July, 1916 at Rouen, from wounds received on 12th July, 1916 near La Boiselle, Somme.

 

Czech RAF airmen remembered:


Remembrance Day – 11 November 2012 | Free Czechoslovak Air Force

 

Remembrance Day memorial service in Lincoln | This is Lincolnshire

 

Went to Cockermouth today walked down before 11 and there was about 20 people, all of us looking a bit stumped where was everyboby at.
Then someone walked past and said the service wasn't on till 2.
Went back down before 2 weather great and the turn out was very good.
But i am still stumped as why 2 o'clock and not 11.

Regards Michael.

 

Deacs,

I was at Formby today at 1100, 1200 and again at 1500. The 1200 event included members of the Polish community who were on parade at Southport at 1100. The 1500 event included the Worshipful Mayor of Sefton who was, presumably, elsewhere at 1100. We can't all be at the right place at the right time.

Just my thoughts,

Roxy

 

I did promise a report and so here, rather belatedly, it is.

It is now Tuesday morning and I have just stepped out of a hot bath where I have been soaking my aching leg muscles for the past half hour.

Before I am accused, once again, of straying from a thread topic, I rush to assure
that the aforesaid aching muscles were as a direct result of Sunday's National Remembrance Day from which I am only just now beginning to recover

I suppose the simplest way to record the day is to set it out as timetable so, while it is still fresh in my memory, here goes.

07:30
I left home, by car, and drove the few miles to Totteridge & Whetstone Tube Station where I parked and caught the first train to Leicester Square. I normally would have used Cockfosters Stn which is just minutes away from my home but typically for Armistice Day it was closed for track maintainence so it had to be Totteridge.

07:50
On the first train, and was immediately, because I was dressed ready for the march, taken into conversation by someone who wanted to know about my ww2 service and said that although he could not be at the march he would be paying his respects at a service in the Guards chapel in Birdcage Walk.

08:25
At Leicester Square where I called into a very civilised coffee bar where I stoked up with a coffee & Danish before the 10 minute walk downhill to Horseguards.

08:50
On the parade ground looking for the AJEX meeting up point with it's D4 marker.(See Pic 1)

09:00 to 10:45
A bloody long wait, necessary I suppose, because of the large numbers of would-be marchers but sensibly there were places where one could get a hot drink or respond to calls of nature.
It was very interesting to see the various groups forming up including a fairly large group of Chelsea Pensioners who marched onto the parade ground presumably having arrived by coach and had been dropped off at a nearby stop.
(See Pic 2)

10:45
We marched off, now being 27 in number, went through the Horse Guards Archway and promptly, to my surprise, turned sharp left so that we were heading towards Trafalgar Square. After a hundred yards or so we right wheeled so that we were now facing towards the Cenotaph.
There was then much shuffling forward until we reached our designated position, bang opposite the Whitehall entrance to Horse Guards, and although we were within sight of a large TV screen I realised that once again I would have to wait until my return home before I could really see what was taking place.
We had all been handed a tiny sheet setting out the religious service but I couldn't help thinking a list setting out all the marching groups would have been equally appreciated,

11:45
As our column, D, was one of the last we waited patiently for our turn to march off but the time was well spent applauding the other groups as they marched off towards the Cenotaph.

12:00
We finally passed the cenotaph where the AJEX wreath,in the traditional shape of a Shield of David, was handed to the ushers for it's placement.
(See Pic 5)

As we proceeded along Whitehall, the noise of appreciation coming from the spectators was quite un-believing. I can't remember any time in my life when I was so conscious of this type of support and I have to admit that to a large extent this and the stirring music from the bands was the only thing that kept my now aching legs moving!

13:00
Back in Leicester Square I rested my aching limbs on a park bench and used my mobile to call home

13:48
Home again, with the realisation that next Sunday (the 18th) I have a repeat performance with AJEX's own Remembrance Parade. Fortunately for me there should be less standing around and a shorter marching route.

So that's about it......

By some queer chance, our spot in Whitehall for the 2012 ceremony was exactly opposite from where I had watched the 1946 parade and from where I had also taken a picture looking back towards Trafalgar Square !
BBC - WW2 People's War - Victory Celebrations, 8th June 1946
(See Pic 4)

Ron