Poppies on live TV
- Paddington Bear
- Posts: 5961
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:29 pm
- Location: Hertfordshire
My family have lit a candle for my Grandmother’s uncle at Walthamstow church every year since he died of wounds aged 22 during the September assaults on the Somme. 107 years and counting, I was we believe his first family visitor to the Somme just before covid hit. I wonder how long we can keep his memory alive within our family.Jock42 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:00 pm As well as thinking of service personnel in a broader sense on a personal level I'll be thinking of Sean Binne, Robert McLaren, Kev Elliot, Gus Miller, Tam Mason and Craig Hopson (RA attached to us) killed on HERRICK 10. As well as Aaron Black, Iain Bruce and I believe a 1 SCOTS lad, also attached to us, who all deployed on at least HERRICK 10 and have taken their own lives.
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
Thats a lovely wee act of remembrance down through the years.Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:29 pmMy family have lit a candle for my Grandmother’s uncle at Walthamstow church every year since he died of wounds aged 22 during the September assaults on the Somme. 107 years and counting, I was we believe his first family visitor to the Somme just before covid hit. I wonder how long we can keep his memory alive within our family.Jock42 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:00 pm As well as thinking of service personnel in a broader sense on a personal level I'll be thinking of Sean Binne, Robert McLaren, Kev Elliot, Gus Miller, Tam Mason and Craig Hopson (RA attached to us) killed on HERRICK 10. As well as Aaron Black, Iain Bruce and I believe a 1 SCOTS lad, also attached to us, who all deployed on at least HERRICK 10 and have taken their own lives.
We were similar with my great grandfather. He was killed in Flanders on the 28th September 1918, exactly 50 years to the day before I was born. In 1998 I arranged a trip for my mum, dad and uncle to go over and visit his grave and the graves of 3 of my dad's uncles who had all died around Arras in the first few months. As far as we knew we were the first family to ever visit these graves and the sense of loss and loneliness was almost overwhelming. I've been back 3 times since with my kids but I doubt now that they will ever have another visitor.Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:29 pmMy family have lit a candle for my Grandmother’s uncle at Walthamstow church every year since he died of wounds aged 22 during the September assaults on the Somme. 107 years and counting, I was we believe his first family visitor to the Somme just before covid hit. I wonder how long we can keep his memory alive within our family.Jock42 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:00 pm As well as thinking of service personnel in a broader sense on a personal level I'll be thinking of Sean Binne, Robert McLaren, Kev Elliot, Gus Miller, Tam Mason and Craig Hopson (RA attached to us) killed on HERRICK 10. As well as Aaron Black, Iain Bruce and I believe a 1 SCOTS lad, also attached to us, who all deployed on at least HERRICK 10 and have taken their own lives.
Thats a shame but I suppose time moves on.Blackmac wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:16 pmWe were similar with my great grandfather. He was killed in Flanders on the 28th September 1918, exactly 50 years to the day before I was born. In 1998 I arranged a trip for my mum, dad and uncle to go over and visit his grave and the graves of 3 of my dad's uncles who had all died around Arras in the first few months. As far as we knew we were the first family to ever visit these graves and the sense of loss and loneliness was almost overwhelming. I've been back 3 times since with my kids but I doubt now that they will ever have another visitor.Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:29 pmMy family have lit a candle for my Grandmother’s uncle at Walthamstow church every year since he died of wounds aged 22 during the September assaults on the Somme. 107 years and counting, I was we believe his first family visitor to the Somme just before covid hit. I wonder how long we can keep his memory alive within our family.Jock42 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:00 pm As well as thinking of service personnel in a broader sense on a personal level I'll be thinking of Sean Binne, Robert McLaren, Kev Elliot, Gus Miller, Tam Mason and Craig Hopson (RA attached to us) killed on HERRICK 10. As well as Aaron Black, Iain Bruce and I believe a 1 SCOTS lad, also attached to us, who all deployed on at least HERRICK 10 and have taken their own lives.
I might take a trip to a few of the 51st HD's battles next year or so. No family ties but it'd be nice to lay a few red hackles.
I've been to the one at Beaumont Hamel which also has the Newfoundland Memorial among others. I've had quite a few trips over during the years. Normandy, Arnhem, Flanders, Somme, Arras, Vimy Ridge and the Chemin de Dames.Jock42 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:20 pmThats a shame but I suppose time moves on.Blackmac wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:16 pmWe were similar with my great grandfather. He was killed in Flanders on the 28th September 1918, exactly 50 years to the day before I was born. In 1998 I arranged a trip for my mum, dad and uncle to go over and visit his grave and the graves of 3 of my dad's uncles who had all died around Arras in the first few months. As far as we knew we were the first family to ever visit these graves and the sense of loss and loneliness was almost overwhelming. I've been back 3 times since with my kids but I doubt now that they will ever have another visitor.Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:29 pm
My family have lit a candle for my Grandmother’s uncle at Walthamstow church every year since he died of wounds aged 22 during the September assaults on the Somme. 107 years and counting, I was we believe his first family visitor to the Somme just before covid hit. I wonder how long we can keep his memory alive within our family.
I might take a trip to a few of the 51st HD's battles next year or so. No family ties but it'd be nice to lay a few red hackles.