Hackneyed heroes

Not really true on that point Tom, as Latin in the middle ages was mostly a written language only. The bible and most texts of the time were written in Latin and a second language to the nobility and the religious communities. The general population of that time spoke something between Old and Middle English. Old English (Anglo-Saxon) dates in this country to the 5th Century. Although largely unrecognisable today, it's what out language evolved from (and from Old Norse before that) and is at least 1500 years old. (I partly agree with your second point though)

This is all a bit of a tangent though I agree. Back to 'eroes.

Chris

 

Dibs on the creme eggs please.

 

Ah well ............... we managed to stay on what I considered to be a serious subject for at least 30 hours.

I suppose that's not bad for these days !

Ron

 

it clipped the kerb when nuances of language crept in

 

CLI -
we wuz tawking abaht 'eroes and I mentioned how the language was being strained by people who are lazy - careless and ill-informed - so I will shut up now in case the op gets further annoyed...

 

I believed those of my Father's generation and the men and women of my own generation who stood ready to defend themselves and their country can rightly be described as heroic.

Joe Brown.

 

Can't help but to note that to-day's Telegraph publishes an article of a school in Halesowen which seems to agree with me that the English language is in some danger of adopting many strange words such as "gonna" into the Language and thus have banned the use of the Black Country Culture (sic)

I am also reminded of an incident with my late wife and a sailor both travelling on leave during the war when he asked her - "ir youm goin ohm" this puzzled her and he asked again but she was still puzzled until she was home and it struck her that he was asking her if - SHE WAS GOING HOME..so much for Black Country Culture

Cheers - sorry to butt in...

 

I think anyone who goes to war leaving all they love behind and fights in battles and sees the atrocities that go hand in hand with war then That is a hero

 

The word "gonna" sounds vaguely familiar to my American ears. I personally think that it's just another sign that those damned Yanks have finally succeeded in corrupting the King's English.

 

I couldn't agree more with the consensus opinion expressed on this thread.The word has almost lost its meaning. It's become like affirmative action. Everyone qualifies.
When virtually everyone is described as a hero what do we now call those who truly display outstanding courage and valour?



Another good perspective here!

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/10/134387637/heroic-acts-to-protect-the-word-hero

 

The soldier:

A thousand glorious actions, that might claim
triumphant laurels and immortal fame
confused in clouds of glorious actions lie
and troops of heroes undistinguished die.


Used after the two battles known as the 'Battle of Saratoga' 1777. From an old English poem.

 

Hi,

A Hero is an ordinary person who carries out a deed in extraordinary circumstances.


Regards, Mick D.

 

I thought it was "the Queen's English".

 

It depends on whether a King or Queen is sitting on the Throne at the time

Regards
Tom

 

Geit yet?

 

I have a friend who volunteered for the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit (having volunteered for aircrew after a stint in the TA with AA Command). He was launched off the girders on 'his' merchant ship and downed a Condor, baled out into the sea and was subsequently picked up, luckily. Next he went on to Typhoons, this was in 1943. He carried on in them despite a prang that left him in maybe a third of one. That was before he got shot down by flak over Normandy on yet another ground attack rocket-firing op (against radar installations off the top of my head) and went on the run with the resistance including being filmed wandering around Paris amongst French and Germans alike in civvies. Following betrayal he ended up in Fresnes prison and subsequently Buchenwald where the Luftwaffe found out he and his group were there - and due to be executed imminently - and got them out and into a Stalag. My friend, with his DFC, caterpillar and goldfish badges - and not forgetting his guardian angel 'Letitia' - I wholeheartedly believe is a hero, not that I'd tell him that as I don't neccesarily think he'd agree...in fact, quite funny but yesterday on facebook I posted some pics I'd found of MSFU hurricats in colour (and subsequently corrected the colours of) and linked him to them. His comment of 'Bloody fools' was followed by another (unaware) mate countering this with what very brave and heroic these men were. Classic case of 'Shall you tell him or shall I?" I could sense him across the Atlantic in Canada laughing away as I was over here.


Sounds far fetched doesn't it. That's 100 the truth - the bit I found most unbelieveable that I have such a man as my friend. His being on facebook notwithstanding

 

Snapper35

Thanks for reminding me of this thread.

You might also like to see another thread that touched on "un-sung heroes"

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/20752-victoria-crosses-that-never-were/page-2

Ron

 

Marvellous, thanks Ron, this I'll enjoy - same Squadron (609) had a pilot that many felt earned the VC 9he may be mentioned, going to read it now). He stayed in the cockpit of his Typhoon, on fire, and shot down a 109 or 190, losing his own life because of this. Henry Desmond Fitzmaurice Amor.

Been enjoying your tales by the way Ron, thank you. My grandfather was 254 Bty 81st HAA Rgt and I've just started researching his war; 98th HAA then OCTU - OSDEF - MEF - then Greece and Italy so I'm getitng a 'feel' for it from your posts.

My friend mentioned above was at St Osyth near Clacton in the early part of the war "facing the Luftwaffe with popguns" he told me last week. I gather he enjoyed himself there. I'm further up at Lowestoft and we have a Bofors emplacement (and many pillboxes) up on the cliffs just north of the town at Corton-on-sea. Not sure when it dates from. I'll wander up there with the camera if it's of any interest?