Lest we forget

A relative of the family is buried in Marseilles at Mazargues War Cemetery. He was originally buried at le Lavandoy old communal cemetery until pa-in-law had him moved.
He was in the RAMC and was on the HMT Transylvania when it was torpedoed on the coast of Savona,Italy on the 4th of May 1917 aged 21.
He's on the Merseyside Roll of Honour list at the local civic memorial and hospital.

My late grandfather fought in WWII and never wanted to talk about it.

Yes Saetana as I mentioned in another thread, my father was a stretcher bearer on the beaches at Dunkirk. He had a piece of shrapnal go right through his lower leg. He never spoke about it until I had an accident needing 30 stitches in my legs when I was 16. We did at least get to compare scars

My Dad was a Commando in WW11. He never spoke of the war to my sister or myself. However in later years he did tell a little to my DH and gave him his medals. After he died DH researched my Dad's army career. He went to Norway, North Africa amongst others and was also at Dieppe. He was such a cheerful, happy person. Much missed

One can only imagine the fear those young people felt, and how their parents must have dreaded a knock on the door.
Many, many sacrifices and just having to accept it.

Am amazing day of remembrance today.We went to our market town this morning for the parade ( DGS was in it)?
And service, very moving, and lovely to see so many people there all wearing their red poppies, including small children and dogs( wearing one on their collars!)
Afterwards all milling around, sitting in the sun ( gorgeous day) and in the coffee shops.

Both my Grandfathers fought in WW1 and Father in WW2.
I don’t personally know anyone who died in the wars, but both Grandfathers ( and Grandmothers) had brothers who died, as they were from large families.
I will be watching the Peter Jackson WW1 footage this evening, the colour will make it so very real.

Two of my great uncles were killed in the Great War. My Granny's brother Henry in 1917 when the cart bearing wounded he was transporting to hospital was shelled. And my Grandad's brother, a stretcher bearer killed in October 1918, when he was shot in both legs while carrying a wounded enemy casualty.
We must never forget the sacrifice of those young men.

My Dad was in the First World War. I am in my 70’s & his marriage to my Mum was his second, hence I was a late baby.
He never talked about the war but became very upset on Rememberance Sunday.
I have thinking about him & his fellow soldiers a lot today.

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A very long day but so poignant, with so many people attending the parade, wreath laying and service this morning, culminating in the lighting of a 'Beacon of Light' and a short service this evening.

My Dad was in the merchant navy in WW11. Unless you were officer class, you didn't have a uniform. He was on leave on one occasion and out with his FiL for a drink. He wasn't officer class so no uniform. He was turned on by one individual as being a coward - "what's a young man like you not doing his bit for the war?" (I'm wording this minus the swear words).
Dad pointed to his small badge on his lapel - "What's this then, bl...y scotch mist?" It was his M N badge. That's all they had to show they were serving. It wasn't very big, so easy to miss.
He did the Russia run on many occasions, plus the Med and Egypt. Most certainly not a coward. How quick people are to reach conclusions, though. In truth, like many others, he went through hell, but do you know, like many, he hardly ever spoke if it.
He didn't relate the above story about him being accused of cowardice, by the way, his FiL did, who had been in WW1.

I don’t know of any relatives who were in the First World War, but I had in my youth, many patients who had served!
I have seen many war cemeteries on the continent, and the one on Cannock Chase.
My father was president of our local British Legion and used to take the salute at our local cenotaph.
I used ( when younger and fitter) to carry the flag for the women’s branch of the BL.
I was in tears for the festival of remembrance and the Westminster Abbey one tonight.
I must be getting to be a soppy old fool!
I can’t get the tune of Only Remembered from War Horse out of my brain.

My great uncle was killed in WW1, he`s buried in France. My father served with the RAF in WW2, he was killed on December 5th, 1942, I was born on June 1st, 1943. They had been married for just 11 months. I never got on with my stepfather, and often wonder what my life would have been like if my father had lived.
Here he is.

So many deeply moving stories not only of the loss of life of those directly involved but the consequent suffering that cascades down the generations. We must never forget the terrible cost of war and to honour the dead by continually seeking other ways to manage conflict.?

Callgirl what a sad story about your father and your poor mother having to struggle on alone at such a difficult time. Thank you for sharing his photo. Far too young to die.

Bellanonna, thank you, he was 22 years old.

So sad ?