Remembering the Fallen

[Sue Mackay]

I am sure in the run up to Remembrance Day our thoughts turn to specific men who paid the ultimate price, and I thought it would be nice to have a special thread for them. Many were not direct ancestors, simply because they were taken before they could reach the age to marry and have children, but they are still remembered by their families.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/na1/poppy.jpg

This is to remember Private John Stuart DAGG of the 13th Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers, who died of wounds received at the Battle of Bapaume on 2 September 1918. He was only 20 years old, and so nearly made it through the war. He is buried in St.Sever Cemetery, Rouen, but is remembered on the grave of his sister, who died in infancy, and his parents John Samuel and Winifred DAGG, outside Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff. He was always fondly remembered by his two siblings, Kitty and Bill, who thanks to his sacrifice both lived to see their 95th year.

[jeeb]

Hi Sue,
I think it was good to bring this to our attention but most of us already remember the young fighting men and women who gave their lives for their country. What does often get overlooked is the thousands of innocent citizens killed in the bombing raids of our towns and cities, many of them only children. They were just as much victims of a needless waste of life and I salute them all.

Jeremy

[Procat]

Hi Sue,
I think it was good to bring this to our attention but most of us already remember the young fighting men and women who gave their lives for their country. What does often get overlooked is the thousands of innocent citizens killed in the bombing raids of our towns and cities, many of them only children. They were just as much victims of a needless waste of life and I salute them all.

Jeremy

An admirable thought Jeremy and without wishing to cause controversy I think it could be expanded to cover all innocent citizens killed in time of war.

[Procat]

In memory of my great uncles:

Thomas Johnson Died 5 August 1916, age 34
Maurice Patrick Walther Died 31 October 1917 age 27
Walter Charles Walther Died 3 June 1918 age 30.

[jeeb]

An admirable thought Jeremy and without wishing to cause controversy I think it could be expanded to cover all innocent citizens killed in time of war.

You are not causing controvery Procat, you are merely putting what I meant in a better way.

Jeremy

[suedent]

Remembering my gg-uncle John Edward JAY. He emmigrated to NZ in 1909 to start a new life. When war was declared he joined the NZEF. He was injured in 1917 and given 6 days leave. He used that leave to return to Cornwall and marry Mabel Gummow on 6 August 1917. Sadly John was killed on at Ypres on 12 October 1917, Mabel remained in Liskeard and died in 1970, never re-marrying.

Also my great-uncle Thomas John A'LEE who was killed on 11 January 1942 in North Africa and who is buried at El Alamein.

[bracaragh]

In memory of my great uncles:
Patrick MURPHY died 10 November 1917,buried at Tyne Cot, awarded DCM
and
James MURPHY died 22 December 1914, remembered at Le Touret.

[Sunpat]

I cannot look at the CWGC website without weeping for everyone who is memorialised whether a civilian or serviceman/woman.
Tragic loss of lives.
Sunpat

[Mutley]

For them all
Least we forget

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r297/MutleyBG/PoppyDay.gif

[BeeE586]

My late husband was in the Long Range Desert Group and later the Airborne forces. He survived (or we would never have met) but always on Remembrance Day he named as many of his friends as he could remember and saluted their memory.

On his behalf, I remember them now along with all others lost in wars, wherever and whatever the circumstances.

Eileen

[HARAS]

For all those who gave there lives so that we can live in peace.
We will remember them.

[Davran]

In memory of my uncle, whom I never knew. He left behind a widow and young daughter, 2 months old.

Douglas Frederick Maurice Sexton 1/12/1919 - 1/11/1944

[Neil Wilson]

http://www.rootsweb.com/~engcclay/Genealogy/images/WarGraveStones/Wilson.jpg

[Mike_E]

My Great Uncle's

Bernhard Niemeyer born 1910
Died and buried in Pomezia Italy 3 Oct 1943

and his brother

Rudolf Niemeyer born 1906
Listed as missing in Werchowzewo Ukraine 6 Oct 1943 - no known resting place.

[suzzie]

I would like to remember my gg uncle ..

Name: PARKER, George Henry
Regiment, Corps etc.: East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion etc.: 2/5th Battalion.
Birthplace: Burnley, Lancs
Enlisted: Burnley
Rank: PRIVATE
Number: 240838
Date died: 09 October 1917
How died: Killed in action
Theatre of war: France & Flanders

also my Mother's first husband

Sgt Harvey Gordanier, M/226, 1 Radar Bty., Royal Canadian Artillary.
Died 13 March 1945. Age 30.
Remembered with honour at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

[Spangle]

James William Keen, 1897 - 1917, Rifleman, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 21st Btn. Twenty years old. James fell following the Battle of Pilkem at Passchendaele and is buried at Godewaersvelde Cemetery.

Carol Lancelot Herbert Cook, 1926 - 1946, Driver, Royal Army Service Corps. Twenty years old. Lied about his age to serve his country at 17 and two years after the end of the war, having sustained terriblle injuries in Italy was to pay the ultimate price at home in Peckham, London. Buried in Camberwell Old Cemetery.

William George Laughlin, the Great Grandad I never knew, of Camberwell, London. William passed away some time after the First World War as a result of gassing sustained whilst fighting for his country and family. He left behind my grieving Great Nan, my Nan, aged 14, and her sister aged 1 and a half.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

[Mike Fear]

In memory of my great uncles
George Foley died 16/12/1915 age 29 remembered at Kut
Frank Foley died 16/8/1917 aged 21 remember at Tyne Cot
Albert Clark died 3/3/1917 age 25 remembered at Lijssenthoek
Least we forget

[Jan1954]

I read this thread yesterday evening and was in tears by the time I reached the end.

I am so very lucky that neither of my grandfathers, nor any of my great grandfathers or their brothers, perished in the carnage of the Great War.

I have photographs that my grandfather took during that time and, when he was alive, he was always an active member of the British Legion.

I will always remember the fallen...

[browntoa]

to my great uncle Maurice Magasiner, only arrived in the country from Russia in the early 1900's , but gladly joined up to fight for his new country in 1914 and died in Service 1917

Buried in Gaza

[Spangle]

I read this thread yesterday evening and was in tears by the time I reached the end.

I am so very lucky that neither of my grandfathers, nor any of my great grandfathers or their brothers, perished in the carnage of the Great War.

I have photographs that my grandfather took during that time and, when he was alive, he was always an active member of the British Legion.

I will always remember the fallen...

Reading over this and writing of my own family whom I never had the pleasure of meeting, I too was in tears. I enjoyed the love of my Great Nan, Lily Laughlin, until I was 14... had it not been for the war I might have known and loved my Great Grandad, William Laughlin, too.

Whatever Gods we may all have or might not have, I pray to all of them that we never have to know the pain which our ancestors suffered.

Indeed, "Lest We Forget".

[Mo Charles]

My husband's Grandfather died aboard the Goliath 13/5/1915 Andrew Towner - over 500 seamen lost their lives.
Jack Halliday died aboard Rawapindi 23rd/11/1939 along with over 200 hundred men.

In your prayers please remember the young men and women who are in the Armed Forces today for whom I have the greatest respect. They fight with inadiquate equipment and are treated shamefully by all colours of politicians. Sorry if I am upsetting anyone but I really do think our Forces are treated without respect.

[peter nicholl]

I'm shamefaced about the delay, but last week on the 9th saw the anniversary of the Battle of the Cocos Islands in 1914. The Australian Light Cruiser, HMAS Sydney intercepted the German Light Cruiser, SMS Emden off the Cocos Islands. In the ensuing battle the Emden was destroyed, losing some 120 of its crew on the day. The Sydney lost four of its crew, Petty Officer Reginald Albert Sharpe, Able Seaman Albert Hoy, Able SeamanThomas Lynch and Ordinary Seaman Robert William Bell. Except for Robert Bell, al the others, like my Great Uncle John Vaughan a Stoker PO on the Sydney, were on loan from the Royal Navy.

[Jane Gee]

For Charles Gittings 2/5 East Lancashire regiment killed 21.3.1918 buried Roisel (my grandfathers cousin) also his only child Peter Charles Gittings (Merchant Seaman) died 1942 after torpedoed by a german uboat. We remeber all those who lost their lives on both sides

[Lesley Robertson]

For My Great Grand-Uncle, Pvt George Hodge Robertson of the Black Watch, who died at Magersfontein, in the war before the Great War.
For the Cranwell Electrical and Wireless Boy Entrants who fell in WW2,

For Rifleman Yubraj Rai, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, who died in Afghanistan today,

And for those who survived, but who have never recovered.

Lesley

[Rubina]

http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/r/html/richardson-harry.htm

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq53/lornacullen/jcross.jpg

In memory of my Uncle Harry who died on an island off the coast of Singapore in WWII.

Royal Artillery, 9 Coast Regiment, Gunner Harry Richardson, Died 15 February 1942 age 22.

[Ladkyis]

Pause for a moment and think of those who returned injured from war and lived with the pain and the memories so we could write these words today.

For Jim McDade shipwrecked six times between 1914 and 1918
For Bernard Gibbon who lost his right leg disarming a mine in February 1944
For Mark Smith who suffers Post traumatic Stress from Kosovo

For all those injured by war everywhere

[Barnzzz]

Percy Beake, died 23 March 1916, Ypres, aged only 19 years. He was making bombs in a trench and accidentally ignited one. He threw himself on it to save his friends.

[Astoria]

For my mum,

In memory of her two brothers Willi FLECK 18 and Alois FLECK 17 - Austrians, resting place unknown.

For my dad,

In memory of his cousins and uncles - Italians - Partisans, remembered with respect in their villages.

For all who have family serving tonight, respect and gratitude from me and mine.

[bumblebee]

In memory of my great uncle, Arthur Harpham drowned 21st May 1917 when his ship, HMS Senator, a trawler doing mine clearing duties, sank of the island of Tory.

Also for John Betts, died 24th September 1917, Shrewsbury Forest, Gheluvelt.

Bumblebee

[caliope]

Wonderful idea for a thread.

In memory of my great uncle, Thomas Twose, who emigrated to Canada from England and joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at age 35. He was sent to France in June 1916 and died Sept 26, 1916.

[Mona]

In memory of my Gt. Uncle, Patrick Michael McDermott, Manchester Regiment, who died in the battle of the Somme. 11 October 1916, age 23.
Buried Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval.

[busyglen]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i209/busyglen/180px-Poppies_by_Benoit_Aubry_of_Ot.jpg


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them"

Remembering the lost, those who have lost, and those who lived.
Also remembering their friends and family who also perished,
in all of the wars of the world.

We will remember them.

Glenys

[billysax]

In memory of Sapper John William Saxton, Royal Engineers. Died of wounds, Flanders 1917 aged 35. Buried at Dunhallow ADS Cemetery, Belgium.
Rifleman Harold Henry Saxton, Queen's Westminsters. Killed in action, France 1914 aged 19. Buried at Ration Farm Cemetery, France.

[Marie C..]

Remembering.. John Middlege, 17th batt RF. who died in Bourton Wood at the Battle of Cambrai 30 Nov. 1917. No known grave.

[peter nicholl]

In memory of:
WO Alfred Ernest Nicholl, RAF died 25 March 1943 age 42

Private Alfred John Boeater, Queens ( Royal West Surrey) Regiment, died 18 December 1914 age 37

Sergeant Alfred Henry Boater, 1st Dorsetshire Regiment, died 13 October 1914 age 29

Private George Charles Boater, 2/5 Northumberland Regiment, died May 4 1917 age 40

Rifleman Henry Frederick Boater, 1st Rifle Brigade, died 19 December 1914 age 20

Private James Boater, 7 Royal Sussex Regiment, died March 27 1918 age 21

Private Cyril Ingram, 59 Battalion Australian Infantry AIF, died August 8 1918 age 28

[Wilkes_ml]

For Alexander "Sandy" Bremner, my nan's youngest brother who rests at Argenta Gap, Italy

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc25/Wilkes_ml/GraveofAlexanderBremner.jpg

[pottoka]

I am sure in the run up to Remembrance Day our thoughts turn to specific men who paid the ultimate price, and I thought it would be nice to have a special thread for them. Many were not direct ancestors, simply because they were taken before they could reach the age to marry and have children, but they are still remembered by their families.


This is a lovely idea, Sue, but makes such sad reading.

I have found no-one from my family who died in the First World War but I would like to remember my great-uncle Albert Gaunt of the Royal Artillery who died on 26th October 1943 aged 35 on the Burma-Siam railway and who is buried in Chungkai Cemetery in Thailand.

[Rubina]

http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq53/lornacullen/poppies_1109437c.jpg

Regardless of when
If they lived or they died
They did it for us
And we will remember

[Spangle]

For James William Keen, 1897-14th August 1914, passed away serving his country in Passchendaele at the age of just 20, buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery. Brother to my Great Nan, Lily Laughlin, nee Keen. Also for my Great Grandad, William George Laughlin, born 1892, who lost his life following the First World War as a result of gassing sustained whilst serving, leaving my Great Nan and my beloved Nanny, Irene, and her siblings, all of whom who were just children at the time, to grieve him.

God bless.

We will remember them.

[michaelpipe]

In Memory of the four sons of William Dalby Pipe and Emma Starland

William John Pipe 1917
Edwin George Pipe 1917
Percy Dalby Pipe 1918
Robert Henry Pipe 1918

and John Pipe, d 3/10/1915 at Bethune

Also Commander John Henry Pipe, HMS Greenwich d 1944

Their deaths were not in vain.

[Maximilian]

Barbara, aged 6, killed by a bomb on her house, Middleton Road, King's Heath, Birmingham, 1940

Maximilianus, conscientious objector, beheaded, Thevesta, north Africa, 12 March, 295 AD

Walter Roberts, aged 20, conscientious objector, died in a leaky tent in a stone quarry, Dyce Work Camp, Aberdeenshire, 8 September 1916

Paul Gillan, conscientious objector, died in Winchester Prison Hospital, 1918

Harry Haston, conscientious objector, died in Princetown Work Centre, Dartmoor, 25 October 1918

August Dickman, conscientious objector, shot by firing squad, Germany, 16 September 1939

Franz Jagerstatter, Austrian conscientious objector, beheaded, Brandenburg Prison, Berlin, 9 August 1943

Georgios Orphanidis, conscientious objector, shot by firing squad, Nauplia, Greece, March 1949

Michel Nash, conscientious objector, shot for refusing to shoot dissidents, Pisagua, Chile, 1 May 1984

A White Poppy for each of them, and millions more, as a pledge to peace that war must not happen again.

Sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt.

Events bring tears, and mortal fortunes touch the soul.

Vergil, Aeneid

[AnnR]

For my great uncle Dan, of 131st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, killed in action on 25 August 1917, buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium.

Dan had married in November 1916 and when he left for the front his wife was expecting a child.

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/AnnR_photos/img022.jpg

Elsie Millett and Daniel Russon
Married Christ Church, Plymouth
17 November 1916


Also for his son, Jack Daniel Holden Russon, born prematurely as a result of the shock caused to his mother by the news of Dan's death. Born 16 October 1917. Died 4 February 1918. Burried Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. Also a victim of the war.

[judyg]

On the 23rd November I have the privilige of accompanying my son and a group of country South Australian students from Birdwood High School and Meningie Area School who will be participating in the second Connecting Spirits pilgramage to WW1 battlefields, cemeteries and memorials in France and Belgium to commemorate our fallen.

Past participants of the tour have described it as a life changing experience. They have put together a website of the previous trip at connectingspirits.com.au
where you can see their previous trip and follow the 2008 tour. Have a look it will do your heart good!!

These are a very special group of young people and a good representation of why those other young people did not die in vain.

Judyg

[JenniLl]

For all of those who have died as a result of conflict and,

William John TOLLER aged 21, 14/01/1918 - France

Edward Henry PUNTIS aged 34, 8th June 1940 - HMS Glorious

[JenniLl]

Judy,

Nothing prepares one for seeing several thousand pristine white graves standing sentinel in the Winter sun.

It will be an experience that lasts for ever in the memory.

[joette]

Sgt William Scott of the Royal Scots died July 22nd 1917-leaving a wife,three daughters & a posthumous son.
Pte Thomas Waddell-Black Watch-died 1917 France & Flanders-killed by sniper fire whilst rescuing an injured comrade.
Pte David Ross-Royal Scots-Shot by IRA 1916 paralysed & died of his wounds 1919-buried Kilbowie Cemetery Clydebank.Joined up under age.Died aged 19.

Alll my Great-Uncles.All dearly loved & dearly missed.Thomas's name lives on to my nephew's generation who bears his name.
Pte Gilbert Thomson Greer-Enlisted May 1917 died at Harve General Hospital France of gunshot wounds to the back & thigh 19th Dec 1917.Aged 18yrs.

To my Grandfather John Scott Black Watch-horribly wounded 1917-losing his leg,most of his skull & gassing.He also had malaria as a result of his service in the Boer War.To the German Dr who used his skills to save this "enemy" soldier without whom I would not be here today.

To my Mum's cousin's first husband who died in Battle of Britain.
To the McDonald children & Mother killed in 1941 during the Clydebank Blitz & the Rooks family of Dalmuir.
We will not forget.

[Jane Gee]

This post from joette is so very very sad all these people connected to your family. I will be thinking of them tomorrow at 11.00am together with my own all at peace. We will remember them.

[PamG]

Remembering my great Uncle Albert Victor Dewbery, who died on board the HMS Blonde naval ship, in 1916. Buried at the Lyness Naval cemetary on the island of Hoy, near Scapa Flow.

And to acknowledege my son, Lieutenant Ryan Michael Jones, of the Canadian Armed Forces, stationed in Ottawa, Canada.

Pam
Ontario, Canada

[yorkshirecath]

Remembering one of my Gower cousins - Thomas Gower - who died at the Somme, 2nd October 1916 aged 38.
RIP

[BeeE586]

For them all
Least we forget

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r297/MutleyBG/PoppyDay.gif

Mutley - thank you for mentioning this site. I have been feeling guilty because for the first time in my life I have not bought a poppy this year - I have been ill and not been out of the house for several weeks. Now I can make a donation.

I would like to pay respect to those comrades of my late husband who were lost in the London Blitz, at El Alamein, Tobruk and with the Long Range Desert Group in North Africa. All those who were at Monte Cassino or were with the Airborne Division in Italy. I didn't know him in those days, but every year he remembered them by name and we drank a toast to their memory.

Eileen

[v.wells]

Remembered

Petty Officer James Walsh, HMS Good Hope, Royal Navy, 1 November 1914
Thomas Walsh, RI Regt, Battle of the Somme 1916
Sergeant Edwin John Stuart, 70 Sqdn, RAF Volunteer Reserve, 8 May 1943, shot down over the Mediterranean, N. Africa (3 weeks married)

Charles Stuart, Devonshire Regt, 25 Sep 1915
Arthur Stuart, Devonshire Regt, 1 Aug 1916
Albert Edward Stuart, Dorset Regt, 1 July 1917

[Summer]

And for those who survived, but who have never recovered.

Lesley

I am only here today due to the fact that 2 of my great grandfathers were fated not to fall both being at Gallipoli and France/Belgium. One of those great grandfathers was particularly affected (how could you not be???? He was a farmer!) by his experiences in WW1, as were his children of which my Gran has vivid haunting memories. He "had" to go back to war so he signed up again for WW2 at the age of 52 and was sent to Kokoda with boys less than half his age. He came back in body.

I love this quote:
“ Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well. ”
1934 ~ Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

We had a doco here on Remembrance day where an old man said of his uncle who died -"What a waste". I hope those who thought only of political gain when sending their youth to die in these wars are rotting in hell. Just my opinion.

Remembering my great uncle who was MIA RAAF over Indonesia during WW2.
Very sad thread, all those potential branches cut from our family trees.

[v.wells]

RFA Gunner Pte. 38985 William Robert Wells 21-09-05 to 25-10-18

Pte 5998062 Henry Walsh, Essex Regt.

Pte 2789, 8 BN Royal West Kent Regt. Henry J. Anderson -. KIA 7 Nov 1915

Gunner 14294, Albert Stuart, Royal Sussex Regt. 2nd BN, 20-4-14 to 14-6-18

Pte.233056/505066. Albert B. Stuart, Royal Sussex Regt

[N@alie]

In memory of my great uncle Capt Guy Greville Napier of the 35th Sikhs who died during the Battle of Loos on 25 Sep 1915 and was buried at Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez. He had been married less than two months previously and his widow never remarried.

I visited the cemetery one misty April morning and found his memorial stone amongst those of so many thousands of young men many of whom are 'Known Only Unto God'. Words cannot express how moving an experience it is to visit one of these cemeteries.

I did not know of his existence until I started researching my family. Now he is no longer forgotten.

My thoughts go out to all those past and present affected by war.

[Thomasin]

the Long Range Desert Group in North Africa.

Yesterday I went to the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey - very solemn, very sad, and the number of little crosses is just overwhelming. I was standing beside the section for Afghanistan, and got talking to the mother of a young girl who was in the line-up beside the path. She was the widow of the youngest soldier to be killed in that atrocious war. They had been married only three months.

It so happens that I took a photo of the sections for Popski's Private Army and the Long Range Desert Group.

Thomasin

[MythicalMarian]

For all of them, everywhere:

When you go home, tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow, we gave our today

[billysax]

In memory of Private Harold Percy Saxton, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, died of wounds received, 19th December 1915 and of his brother, David Saxton, 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, killed in action 27th June 1916.

[spison]

This is such sad reading.

For my ggg-aunt, Lydia Abell who served in WW1 as a nurse in a casualty clearing station in Flanders with Queen Alexandra's Nursing Service.

And for her nephew, Private William Bower, 20th Battalion A. I. F., who died in France, 6th February, 1917 and is buried at Dernancourt.

Jane

Lest We Forget

[pennydog]

Archibald Clifford private 5762 age 34 - Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry - died 16/5/1915, Le Touret Memorial, son of John and Ann Clifford of Finmere.
Frank Clifford private 19638 age 21 - 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment formerly of Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry - died 1/7/1916, Thiepval Memorial, son of Harry and Elizabeth Clifford of Finmere (Nephew of Archibald).
John Samuel Cotton private 6095725 age 27 - The Queen's Royal Regiment of Surrey - died 1/10/1942, son of John and Matilda Cotton of Limehouse, living in South Ruislip - my mum's youngest brother, my dad's best friend, an uncle I never knew.
To these, and all those who have lost their lives and those whose lives have been forever changed by conflict we salute you. Your sacrfice will not be forgotten.

[Mutley]

HISTORY OF THE POPPY APPEAL
Some of the bloodiest fighting of World War One took place in the Flanders and Picardy regions of Belgium and Northern France. The poppy was the only thing which grew in the aftermath of the complete devastation. John McCrae, a doctor serving there with the Canadian Armed Forces, deeply inspired and moved by what he saw, wrote these verses in 1915.
In Flanders' Fields
In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders' fields.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918,
the First World War ended.
Civilians wanted to remember the people who had given their lives for peace and freedom. An American War Secretary, Moina Michael, inspired by John McCrae's poem, began selling poppies to friends to raise money for the ex-Service community.
And so the tradition began…….
The first official Legion Poppy Day was held in Britain on 11 November 1921, inspired by this poem. Since then the Poppy Appeal has been a key annual event in the nation's calendar.

[BeeE586]

It so happens that I took a photo of the sections for Popski's Private Army and the Long Range Desert Group.

Thomasin

How moving it was to read all these posts again and how sad to think that there are still conflicts where men and women are killed and maimed, where wives are widowed and children left fatherless.

To Thomasin - if you could send me a copy of the LRDG section I would be most grateful, my e-mail address is noted in my profile. I have visited some of the Italian battlefields including Monte Cassino and the Road to Rome but never got to North Africa.

Might I also remember here a German family to whom I am related by marriage who were murdered at Auschwitz, and all who perished in similar circumstances.

Eileen

[LittleSpark]

My grandfather served in the Worcester Regiment during WW1 and was wounded at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. On his way to Mesopotamia the vessel he was on was torpedoed and after 11 hours in the water, he was picked up and landed in Malta before going on to India.

I would like to share a poem with you that he wrote while in India entitled:
'India's Coral Strand'

I bade farewell to England, and crossed the dangerous wave,
For thirty days upon the sea, amongst the true and brave,
We met with many adventures upon the troubled main,
But I will tell you all of them, when'er we meet again.

I bade farewell to England, for duty called me here,
To guard our rights in India, through every passing year,
But soon the time shall pass away, and I again am free,
Then with a faithful heart and true, I will return to thee.

I landed far from England, on India's coral strand,
To witness many wond'rous sights in this far distant land,
We've marched through dusk and darkness, but felt no fear, no toil,
For we are British soldiers and can bear it with a smile.

Oft now while far from England, strange thoughts pass through my mind,
Of pleasure, hope, of love and joy, of friends who were most kind,
Dear parents, I never shall forget you, wherever I may roam,
And I will send you when I can, a loving letter home.

I miss those happy voices, in this far distant land,
But may I soon return again to join you hand in hand,
Tell my pals in England, I left so true and kind,
Tell them I shall ne'er forget, the friends I left behind,
I wish them health and happiness, wherever they may be,
May God forever bless you all, and keep old England free.

I am happy to say that my grandfather lived to the ripe old age of 94.

I would also like to remember my nan's first husband Benjamin Fones who served in the 3rd Batn. Worcs Regiment and was killed 1916 and is buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi.

Sheila

[v.wells]

In memory of Peter John Stuart 1922 to 13 June 1943, Leading Aircraftman with the RAF Volunteer Reserve who died while training at #36 Flight Training School, Penhold, Alberta, Canada and who is buried in the Cemetery here in Red Deer, Alberta.

This young man is my grandfather's 2nd cousin's grandson. I am going to find the gravesite on Monday, lay a wreath, take pictures and hopefully find his 2 sisters b 1929 and 1934 and mail them all this info.

I've been here 25 yrs and never knew!

[warncoort]

In memory of an uncle i never got to know,Charles Harold Butcher,AIF,died 27 April 1918 France.
My Mother's cousin after who i am named,Eric Gentle Roy,AIF,died 7 August 1915 Gallipoli Turkey.
As long as i am free their sacrifice is will be remembered.

[sacha]

He was an Australian Lt in WW1, gassed twic and ended the war
in a convalesent home, but still fathered eight children, but never
talked about the war, although he once said he wished the
politicians who started the wars had to lead their troops into action.
I shall never Forget.
Sacha

[Liane Hawes]

In memory of two of my great uncles. Ernest Septimus York was killed at the Battle of Jutland May 1916 aged 19 - the sea his final resting place. Ernie wanted to serve on the same ship as his older brother Albert but Bert wouldn't let him - "if the ship goes down mum loses two sons not one". Bert never felt save on land and in WW2 was too old to serve and unfortunately lost his life in an air raid shelter that took a direct hit.

11th November is therefore remembered in our family but it is also my mother's birthday so it is a mixed day.

Lest we forget these brave men who served in these wars and all wars since especially our brave men and women currently fighting out in Afghanistan - may they come home safe.

Liane

[Stephen Evans]

I'll second that Liane, we had the annual Rememberance day celebrations here in Malta yesterday given the islands strategic roles during the two World Wars and its long and eventful history.

[jeanr7]

I was very fond of my husband's grandfather who lost his younger brother, Francis in WW2 and his older brother, Michael in WW1. Michael was killed on the 29th April 1916 and nobody knew anything about him, where he was buried, what regimnent he belonged to etc. It was only 6 months ago when I was researching my husband's family tree that I found Michael on CWGC. Michael O'Neill, who served with the Dublin Fusiliers, 8th. Battalion and who lies at rest in Loos, was 20 years of age when he died.

[helachau]

For two sailors with the family name I'm researching whose names we discovered only a few weeks ago on the Monument at Plymouth Hoe in memory of those lost at sea over generations.
One, killed early in the war going into battle against the Scharnost and Gneisenau; the other, torpedoed by a German submarine on convoy duty in the Atlantic.
Words cannot express........

[v.wells]

And we SHALL REMEMEBER them. REST in PEACE

[Mutley]

The first official Legion Poppy Day was held in Britain on 11 November 1921, inspired by the poem in Post #61. Since then the Poppy Appeal has been a key annual event in the nation's calendar and this year will be their 90th anniversary.

May we continue to remember

[warncoort]

For my great grandmother,Elizabeth Jane Reeves(Smith) who lost eight of her cherished grandsons in The Great War.
I will never forget them.

[Liane Hawes]

Since my last post I have discovered my great grandmother lost her beloved little brother in WW1 aged 19. I have since had the pleasure of visiting his war grave in Hargicourt and laying a poppy wreath on behalf of our family.

Once again may we never forget our brave men and women who gave their lives and continue to to do so. May our troops currently serving in Afghanistan come home safe.

[louann]

This is for Arthur Hill, my uncle who was only 15 when he enlisted in the Australian Army in WW1 and 16 when he was killed in Fleurs.
And for my dear Papa who volunteered in 1915. He came home.

[Gilliemac]

In memory of my uncle, whom I never knew. He left behind a widow and young daughter, 2 months old.

Douglas Frederick Maurice Sexton 1/12/1919 - 1/11/1944

I am very interested in contacting you to discuss this family.

[WhiteFWR]

Please share your wonderful messages of remembrance on the 'Forces War Records Dedication Wall' (https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/dedication-wall)
It is FREE to use and you can then share your message with family and friends.
"Let those who come after see to it that these people be honoured and their hardships not forgotten"



https://www.british-genealogy.com/extensions/uploads/d01b83b3-9d40-46ab-8c9a-242a979514c7.jpg

[Small5tree]

Dear Marie C.
Have seen your post of 07.11.2008 regarding John Middlege who was killed in action in 1917.
John Middlege was a brother of my grandmother, Alice Elizabeth Middlege born in 1894, who later married Charles Tooke.
John was therefore an uncle of my mother, although he was killed long before my mother was born.
I assume you must have some connection to John Middlege.
Would be pleased to share family tree details.

[Sue Mackay]

Dear Marie C.
Have seen your post of 07.11.2008 regarding John Middlege who was killed in action in 1917.
John Middlege was a brother of my grandmother, Alice Elizabeth Middlege born in 1894, who later married Charles Tooke.
John was therefore an uncle of my mother, although he was killed long before my mother was born.
I assume you must have some connection to John Middlege.
Would be pleased to share family tree details.

Sadly Marie C. is no longer a member of the forum, as can be seen by the word Guest, so she may not see your post.

[Small5tree]

OK. Thank you for your message.
It was a long shot, as the original post was over 15 years ago. So wasn't confident of a reply.
Many thanks.