Brothers, John Gwynne & William Gwynne, both RFA, both died May 1915, Second Ypres. Their nephew, John Draper Gwynne, RAFVR, August 1940. Not forgotten
Cyril B. Killed at Neuve Chappelle. March 1915. John Morgan-Richards. killed in Burma. November 1944. Uncle Frank. Dunkirk POW. 2008
James Tuckwell Pte Ex 2 DLI & Green Howards Palestine 1945-48 Died 2nd Jan 2008 Cpl J W S Gibson 6th DLI KIA Wed 14/06/1944 North West Europe FAITHFUL Regards Verrieres
Pte Richard Proudfoot 1st Battalion Irish Guards died 15th March 1917 And all the other men from the Republic and the North who gave their lives.
I have just finished watching the ceremony at the Cenotaph marking the 90th Anniversary of the end of WW1. An immensely moving ceremony that included the reading out of letters written by servicemen who were never to return from the fields of battle. Some figures stick in one's mind. RAF Bomber Command in WW2 suffered 55,000 men killed, amongst whom was a dear, much missed brother and for this reason the number of casualties will forever be meaningful to me. Today, we were reminded that in WW1, on the Somme, on July the 1st 1916, 60,000 men were killed on the first day of battle. What a terrible figure to dwell on.
No Ron that is total casualties. Killed were 19240 It was still an awful figure, especially given the futility of the Attack. The Somme, Verdun, Passchandaele the list goes on......
Can we stop seeing The Great War as futile. The Germans invaded and the British and French and Allies had to kick them out of Belgium and France. How is that futile? This thread is about remembering the Falllen don't discussing if The Great War was futile or not.
No Ron that is total casualties. Killed were 19240 Owen Apologies for that You are of course quite correct, it was casualties as stated below but even 19,240 was a terrible "butcher's bill". IT IS the 90th anniversary of one of the most infamous battles in British military history. On the Somme in France, there were 60,000 casualties in a single day - July 1 1916
Here is a naive question, prompted by your posts. In the US, 11 November is Veterans Day. Strictly speaking it is a day for surviving veterans. But of course, the general public (and media) often expands that to memorialize the war dead. However, we also have a day for that - Memorial Day, 30 May - which is for remembrance of the dead. It is frequently expanded to include surviving veterans. I guess Americans don't see these things in rigid ways. How do Briton's view 11 November? I gather from the post that it is to remember the war dead. Regards, Marc
Does anyone know if the Germans marked today with any special events? I heard on BBC News 24 that Prince Charles & Sarkozy were off to a German cemetery after the events at Verdun.
How do Briton's view 11 November? I gather from the post that it is to remember the war dead. Regards, Marc For me It's a day to remember firstly those that fell, then those that served and those that are serving today.
Well said Drew In remembrance of the last WW1 casualty from my village from 12 November 1918 Name: COLES, HAROLD JAMES Initials: H J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private 1st Class Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Age: 23 Date of Death: 12/11/1918 Service No: 82991 Additional information: Son of Frank Coles, of Eynsford, Dartford. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: In East part. Cemetery: EYNSFORD (ST. MARTIN) CHURCHYARD
For me It's a day to remember firstly those that fell, then those that served and those that are serving today. Drew, Robert beat me to it, but I have to agree entirely with your comments. Today I remembered My Grand Father who fought in WW1, whom died in 1941 as a result from being gassed. My Father, A veteran of the Italian campaign WW2 (Recce), My Uncle also a veteran of WW2 (RE) I too watched the ceremony broadcast from London on TV which was very moving. Regards Tom
My Grandfather Gunner Bernard Hogan who was killed on 25 January 1944 aged 31 during the Italian campaign. He also spent 3 years in Malta helping to defend the Island from that terrible bombardment. Also his cousin Francis Cragg who died 11 May 1942 aged 18 Ocracoke island, North Carolina, Aboard HMS Bedfordshire My Two great grandfathers. Gunner John Hogan killed 24 June 1917 ( father of my grandfather above ) aged 32 in Belgium Private John Owens killed 13 May 1915 aged 37 in Belgium
