Was a sunny warm day in Horsham. During the silence I closed my eyes and all I could hear were the seagulls flying inland from the coast. And yet I was surrounded by 2 thousand people. A special time remembering how my father who was so severely war disabled would speak the dedication on Remembrance Day as someoone who was one of the "we that are left grow old"- I felt his hand on my shoulder in the silence.
'Tuesday next, November 11, is the first anniversary of the Armistice, which stayed the world wide carnage of the four preceding years and marked the victory of Right and Freedom. I believe that my people in every part of the Empire fervently wish to perpetuate the memory of the Great Deliverance, and of those who have laid down their lives to achieve it. To afford an opportunity for the universal expression of this feeling, it is my desire and hope that at the hour when the Armistice came into force, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, there may be for the brief space of two minutes a complete suspension of our normal activities. No elaborate organisation appears to be required. At a given signal, which can easily be arranged to suit the circumstances of the locality, I believe that we shall gladly interrupt our business and pleasure, whatever it may be and unite in this simple service of Silence and Remembrance'. ~George V. 7/11/1919
. As well as husband's grandfather who died during the war as a result of accident in shipyard. Also remembering those who survived service but who have since died.
Visited the Mook War Cemetery today to drop a small poppy at each of the graves of the four crew members of the Sherman Firefly of the 13/18th Hussars. They were killed at Megchelen, Holland, on 28 March 1945 and now rest next to each other at the Mook Cemetery: 001 BAXENDALE JWN 14242497 13TH/18TH ROYAL HUSSARS 28/03/1945 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS 002 FORBES TJM 14326768 13TH/18TH ROYAL HUSSARS 28/03/1945 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS 003 MASON J 14653026 'H' SQN, 13TH/18TH ROYAL HUSSARS 28/03/1945 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS 004 MAXWELL JS 7952174 13TH/18TH ROYAL HUSSARS 28/03/1945 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS Last October I accompanied the younger sister of the fallen tank driver, 'Bill' Baxendale, during her visit to Megchelen(see: Need help. Panzerfaust or something bigger?).
Three brothers : Casualty Casualty My grandfather Joe, 2nd K.O.Y.L.I. wounded in action Hill 60 and invalided out of the army. Hospital in Leeds 1915.
Just spent a quiet moment and read Siegfried Sassoon's poem Aftermath. 146. Aftermath. Siegfried Sassoon. Modern British Poetry
"Siegfried Sassoon's poem Aftermath." And one by Wilfred Owen WILFRED OWEN - DULCE ET DECORUM EST, Text of poem and notes I wonder if those poor men knew what they were fighting for? I can never get the point of WW1.
There is never a point but Germany invaded Belgium and was aiming for France and Britain supported Belgium so that was the reason for WW1 along with a multitude of other reasons.
I went Remembrance Day at Gloucester War Memorial today. The best attendance I've seen for a few years. Quite a few different foreign service uniforms:- French, Polish, Italian. Some others I don't recognize. Three quarters of an hour before it properly started. From GloucesterLive I'll take some photos of the various wreaths tomorrow
I was not able to get close to the Glos War Memorial yesterday to see the wreaths etc. More images I took today at the Gloucester War Memorial, Gloucester Hussars Memorial and Gloucester Cathedral Lady Chapel, which displayed the GCHQ Poppy Wall (made by staff and relatives in 2016) Gloucester Hussars Memorial (next to Gloucester Cathedral) Gloucester Cathedral and the GHQC Poppy Wall at the Lady Chapel.
Well, what a day we had on Sunday. Weather held out for the veterans and eleven Chindits took part in the Cenotaph march past as planned. The lead group insisted on getting up from their wheelchairs and marching as they passed over their wreath. We were in line just in front of a Dutch contingent and had great banter with these gentlemen and one lady. Some medicinal liquid refreshment was passed around just before we lined up to begin marching, which kept spirits high and legs warm. In the end and against the orders of the organising marshals, we went for a 4 3 3 4 formation, with myself acting as rearguard in case of the unforeseen. A beautiful and very proud day, as you can see from the photos below.