Remembrance Day - 2008 (Merged)
Moving Service
I was asked by the good townsfolk of our village if I would help organise and attend our local Service of Remembrance, consisting of a church service and wreath-laying at the local memorial. It was very informal.
The parish church was overflowing and I bit my lip a number of times (my eyes are welling up now) when, chokingly, we sang Jerusalem and then I vow to Thee.
The RBL representative read out that poem (op cit) and it suddenly struck me that our boys are still dying in poppy fields. I have recently return from the 'Stan, and having attended some 18 ramp ceremonies out there (UK and Canadian), the Service was almost too much for me as I struggled to maintain composure and not let the side down with a flood of tears. Suddenly the uniforms, the medals, the standards, all look a bit of a sham. It is feelings that are important.
The parish church was overflowing and I bit my lip a number of times (my eyes are welling up now) when, chokingly, we sang Jerusalem and then I vow to Thee.
The RBL representative read out that poem (op cit) and it suddenly struck me that our boys are still dying in poppy fields. I have recently return from the 'Stan, and having attended some 18 ramp ceremonies out there (UK and Canadian), the Service was almost too much for me as I struggled to maintain composure and not let the side down with a flood of tears. Suddenly the uniforms, the medals, the standards, all look a bit of a sham. It is feelings that are important.
Red On, Green On
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If you'd like a really good example of how to do it properly, come to Wallingford. In the town's square, with a good sized detachment from Benson (and a great SWO i/c), the Army cadets who do an honour guard of the war memorial throughout the ceremony, plus ATc, RBL etc who march on to the local Silver Band. Proper bugler (my garage mechanic).
Square lined with people, all with hymn/service sheets. And a good low flypast by Merlins and a Puma.
Square lined with people, all with hymn/service sheets. And a good low flypast by Merlins and a Puma.
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Last Sunday morning, I was in a queue at Hanoi International Airport waiting for a flight to Bangkok. In an adjacent queue, in a sea of non European faces, there was an English couple, both of whom were wearing poppies. We caught each others eyes, exchanged greetings, murmured "Lest we forget" and went our separate ways. And, against the backdrop of unrelated noise, I remembered ... my family and friends who have paid the supreme sacrifice. A corner of a foreign field, perhaps.
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I participated an a Remembrance Parade in the Anglican Cemetery in Malaga, Spain. This was organised by the local RAFA and despite the pleasant warm sunshine, was still very moving and well executed.
The last post was sounded by a bugler from Gib, a small party of RAF and one sailor from Gib were also present. I could not really take good photos from where I standing (after doing a reading), but managed these two shots at the end of the ceremony.
The last post was sounded by a bugler from Gib, a small party of RAF and one sailor from Gib were also present. I could not really take good photos from where I standing (after doing a reading), but managed these two shots at the end of the ceremony.
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Sunday's Service
Probably get this in before the thread closes for another year.
I went to the service in Frome. One of the fastest I have ever been to - I usually go to Westbury but my son plays rugby for Frome and I didn't want to miss getting to a service.
March on at a few minutes to eleven - last post - minutes silence - revielle - quick prayer and all done and dusted - not even a marh off!
I was gob-smacked. Granted you don't need to string the services out for hours on end but I found a little over twenty minutes somewhat insulting, not only to the memory of our fallen, but also for those who are still in harms way.
Grumble over.
The young bugler from the Rifles Army Cadet detachment however was excellent. He nailed every note and went some way to calming my seething brow which was further ruffled when I arrived at the rugby club to be told that the Rugby teams had all observed the silence - but guess what? The footballers just carried on their games. Says something.
Per Ardua
I went to the service in Frome. One of the fastest I have ever been to - I usually go to Westbury but my son plays rugby for Frome and I didn't want to miss getting to a service.
March on at a few minutes to eleven - last post - minutes silence - revielle - quick prayer and all done and dusted - not even a marh off!
I was gob-smacked. Granted you don't need to string the services out for hours on end but I found a little over twenty minutes somewhat insulting, not only to the memory of our fallen, but also for those who are still in harms way.
Grumble over.
The young bugler from the Rifles Army Cadet detachment however was excellent. He nailed every note and went some way to calming my seething brow which was further ruffled when I arrived at the rugby club to be told that the Rugby teams had all observed the silence - but guess what? The footballers just carried on their games. Says something.
Per Ardua
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The footballers just carried on their games. Says something.
I did my remembering in Flanders this year; really hard. the French really do do it with feeling.
Pprune Pop:
That is the contrast between today and my own time spent serving. Other than thinking of my own father, most of my thoughts then were for the fallen of two World Wars. Today the fallen are of the same generation, friends and colleagues who are now no more. That is infinitely sadder and more personal, and as our forces contract must bear down on an ever larger percentage. I am repeatedly struck now year by year of the very real intensity of Remembrance compared to my day, a time to reflect on sacrifice and duty done on behalf of each and everyone of us.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
and those of the recent past and the last year.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
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When, on Remembrance Day each year you pay your respects to those who gave their all, be it on parade or in the privacy of your home, you naturally give special thought to crews you knew and who didn't make it. It is the one time in the year when maybe you pull out the old logbook and album.....and remember. So many faces....so many names....men, just like you, full of hopes and ideals; men who died never to feel a furrowed brow, a thinning head of hair, never to know the joy of their children's laughter; men, once a fine balance of sinew and bone and muscle and blood; men who talked and laughed and thought and wondered and were afraid. All the memorials in the world cannot recapture their spirit, their gaiety, their courage, their unselfishness.
From the J. Batchelor Collection.
Lancaster at War Book 3 by Mike Garbett and Brian Goulding.
From the J. Batchelor Collection.
Lancaster at War Book 3 by Mike Garbett and Brian Goulding.
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The First Time in Years
For the first time in Years, I'm not going to be able to attend a Remembrance Day Service as I'm involved in an Ex in Corsica - I hope that there will be some measure of a Service somewhere - fingers crossed; I will certainly be finding a quiet corner to gather my thoughts.
Last year I was at Passchendaele on the 90th anniversary of the battle, Grandfather was there as a RAMC stretcher bearer, took my 2 kids along as well, unbelievably moving at the Menin Gate. If you haven't ever been, do make sure you go. At sunset, when they play the last post, make sure you take a box of tissues !
VT
Last year I was at Passchendaele on the 90th anniversary of the battle, Grandfather was there as a RAMC stretcher bearer, took my 2 kids along as well, unbelievably moving at the Menin Gate. If you haven't ever been, do make sure you go. At sunset, when they play the last post, make sure you take a box of tissues !
VT
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There'll be plenty in Edinburgh.
One of the bigger public ceremonies in Edinburgh is at Haymarket where Hearts have a war memorial commemorating their players who joined up in the Great War. Usually a large turn out for it and I suspect there may be an even larger attendance this year as the Council intend to move it temporarily (they say) to make way for the trams.
Failing that, keep an eye on the Scotsman and the Evening News - they should mention any details of services in the region.
One of the bigger public ceremonies in Edinburgh is at Haymarket where Hearts have a war memorial commemorating their players who joined up in the Great War. Usually a large turn out for it and I suspect there may be an even larger attendance this year as the Council intend to move it temporarily (they say) to make way for the trams.
Failing that, keep an eye on the Scotsman and the Evening News - they should mention any details of services in the region.
Cool Mod
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I used to do that but no is the answer. I believe you wear the poppy for three reasons. One for your own satisfaction, two for the BL coffers and three so that other people are aware. Whether they buy one is another matter.
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Some entries from the In Memory columns placed by relatives of some soldiers killed in the Great War
Out on yonder battlefield, there is a silent grave,
Is one we loved so dearly, but we could not save,
His King and Country called him; he bravely did his best,
But God thought fit to take him to his eternal rest.
Is one we loved so dearly, but we could not save,
His King and Country called him; he bravely did his best,
But God thought fit to take him to his eternal rest.
When we last saw his smiling face
He looked so strong and brave.
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a soldier’s grave.
We pictured his home returning,
We longed to clasp his hand,
But God has postponed the meeting
Till we meet in a better place.
He looked so strong and brave.
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a soldier’s grave.
We pictured his home returning,
We longed to clasp his hand,
But God has postponed the meeting
Till we meet in a better place.
Somewhere in France he lies at rest,
For his King and Country he did his best,
With other comrades he played his part
And did his duty with a loyal heart.
For his King and Country he did his best,
With other comrades he played his part
And did his duty with a loyal heart.
Death took you from us in a foreign land
We were not near to clasp thy dying hand
But though the parting’s left us heartsore, desolate
For thee the hand of death did not unlock the golden gate.
And thou hast passed within it’s hallowed portal
Whilst we in hopeful sorrow wait the blest reunion in the life immortal
We were not near to clasp thy dying hand
But though the parting’s left us heartsore, desolate
For thee the hand of death did not unlock the golden gate.
And thou hast passed within it’s hallowed portal
Whilst we in hopeful sorrow wait the blest reunion in the life immortal
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As a Canadian, ex - CAF though now a civvy pilot with EK, I have been wearing my poppy on my tunic since 01 Nov and will wear it until the end of the day on 11.11.08
I take great pride in answering year after year many questions I get here about why? and what?, mostly from cabin crew. I had a conversation with a Russian kid the other day... he said speaking of the former USSR, now CIS: "we do the same thing" followed by "we celebrate (a date in May) when we marched in to the Reichstag in Berlin!". I had to laugh at the irony of course.
I have observed, with dismay, that in my home country Canada immigrants do not wear the poppy. I have walked the streets of Toronto, ON (Canada's most mulitcultural city) in vain looking for a person of colour (many of course) but not a single poppy... I must have conservatively seen 6-7000 people that day... not a poppy amongst the immigrants.
That sucks.
In the immortal words of Sir Stephen Spender, poet Laureate of Britain:
I think continuously of those who were truly great...
Lest We Forget
K-O-T-S
I take great pride in answering year after year many questions I get here about why? and what?, mostly from cabin crew. I had a conversation with a Russian kid the other day... he said speaking of the former USSR, now CIS: "we do the same thing" followed by "we celebrate (a date in May) when we marched in to the Reichstag in Berlin!". I had to laugh at the irony of course.
I have observed, with dismay, that in my home country Canada immigrants do not wear the poppy. I have walked the streets of Toronto, ON (Canada's most mulitcultural city) in vain looking for a person of colour (many of course) but not a single poppy... I must have conservatively seen 6-7000 people that day... not a poppy amongst the immigrants.
That sucks.
In the immortal words of Sir Stephen Spender, poet Laureate of Britain:
I think continuously of those who were truly great...
Lest We Forget
K-O-T-S