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Shrouds of the Somme

(8 Posts)
grannyactivist Wed 06-Jul-16 17:39:47

www.thesomme19240.co.uk/the-shrouds/

Today I finally girded my loins and went to visit this amazing, sorrowful, spectacle. It was without doubt the most moving memorial I have seen - and I have seen many. To look at the row upon row of shrouds laid out and take in that each one represented a death from a single day of the war was heartbreaking; I literally sobbed my way around the exhibition. I see the number: 19,240 and my brain does somersaults trying to imagine that huge number of parents suffering the loss of a child on just one awful day. I don't have words to describe the magnitude of the loss. sad

Anniebach Wed 06-Jul-16 18:59:00

Granny activist, must have been harrowing, I think you were very brave X

suzied Wed 06-Jul-16 19:06:23

So moving. A bit like the poppy installation at the Tower of London.

DaphneBroon Wed 06-Jul-16 20:09:45

It looks stunning, wish I could see the real thing.
I loved the Poppies at the Tower of London too and they looked wonderful too recently at St Magnus Cathedral on Orkney.

Indinana Wed 06-Jul-16 21:13:19

have a look at this video on BBC Radio Devon's Facebook page. A drone was used for the filming.

We're planning to go and see this moving memorial tomorrow, the last day they'll be on display.

Badenkate Wed 06-Jul-16 21:22:18

That is so powerful Indiana. The number of shrouds is overwhelming - it must be so sad to walk round and think that each one was a loved son, brother, husband, father.

Indinana Wed 06-Jul-16 21:36:20

Not only that, Badenkate, but how many of them were just boys, 15 years old some of them, lying about their age when they joined up? It breaks my heart to think of them. But 18, 19, 20 year olds - they were all barely adults in the eyes of their mums and dads. Canon fodder, that's all they were, just canon fodder. A lost generation. Even a hundred years on, I cry for the terrible loss to all their families.

grannyactivist Thu 07-Jul-16 18:03:22

Did you go Indinana? My husband called in on his way to work this morning and a friend of mine went this afternoon. My friend's great grandfather was injured on that day and died of wounds five days later - she was interested to see if his name was on the lists.