REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
would have been nice to have seen someone of similar rank from the RAF, or maybe I missed them.
All of the former regiments seemed to have their own plot and lots of veterans, but the RAF were lumped together (although the Bomber Command Association, RAFA and RAF Regt Association had their own "plots"). Where were the squadron associations?
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Memorable Remembrance days
As a humble civvy I once attended the Remembrance service at the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore. It was very moving, with a pair of Gurkha pipers playing from atop the memorial. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the representative from the Japanese Embassy though, who had obviously drawn the short straw to attend. He didn't stay for the tea and sandwiches afterwards - probably something to do with the fact that most of the names on the memorial belong to men who had been captured and then fell under the 'care' of the Japanese.
On another occasion I was at a clay pigeon shooting ground on the North coast of Jersey. At the appointed hour the ground fell silent and we gazed out over the sea where so many perished. Standing on ground that had been occupied made it seem closer than from my usual place at a Sussex parish churchyard.
On another occasion I was at a clay pigeon shooting ground on the North coast of Jersey. At the appointed hour the ground fell silent and we gazed out over the sea where so many perished. Standing on ground that had been occupied made it seem closer than from my usual place at a Sussex parish churchyard.
In the cemetery at Whistable, Kent are the unmarked graves of two Dornier 17 crewmen. The local RBL laid a wreath on their grave at the weekend.
There are efforts being made to get them buried in the German cemetery at Cannock or get the grave properly marked.
mmitch.
There are efforts being made to get them buried in the German cemetery at Cannock or get the grave properly marked.
mmitch.
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CoffmanStarter
I didn't catch the Rod Stewart performance at the Festival of Remberance but I can imagine the embarrassment it must have caused. I did, however see the 'three cheers for Her Majesty' bit at the end.
Now it's easy to be amused by the rituals of other military cultures. Think the changing of the guard at the India /Pakistan border with its exaggerated strutting to and fro or the Monty Pythonesque drill movements of the Greek National guard. The Russian Army's high stepping march is another example. And then there's the army (Belgian?)that marches past the saluting base at the DOUBLE as if they're trying to be first in the NAAFI queue. And to emphasise the point, I confess to having SLOW marched the length of Lincoln Cathedral bearing the 27 Sqn standard. I'm sure it looked quite outlandish to any unfamiliar with Service drill (and, quite possibly, to anyone else who witnessed it it)
But 'Three Cheers' as a drill movemnt ???. You don't have to share my iconoclastic views to see the irony in this.
Such spontaneity.
I didn't catch the Rod Stewart performance at the Festival of Remberance but I can imagine the embarrassment it must have caused. I did, however see the 'three cheers for Her Majesty' bit at the end.
Now it's easy to be amused by the rituals of other military cultures. Think the changing of the guard at the India /Pakistan border with its exaggerated strutting to and fro or the Monty Pythonesque drill movements of the Greek National guard. The Russian Army's high stepping march is another example. And then there's the army (Belgian?)that marches past the saluting base at the DOUBLE as if they're trying to be first in the NAAFI queue. And to emphasise the point, I confess to having SLOW marched the length of Lincoln Cathedral bearing the 27 Sqn standard. I'm sure it looked quite outlandish to any unfamiliar with Service drill (and, quite possibly, to anyone else who witnessed it it)
But 'Three Cheers' as a drill movemnt ???. You don't have to share my iconoclastic views to see the irony in this.
Such spontaneity.
Cool Mod
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THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.
I put this thread up a year ago - I am a little late this year so my apologies.
We must not forget those lost in WW1 and WW2 and all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice this year in Afghanistan and to all those who have fought for the freedom of us all.
Please add your thoughts and let those who are still in harms way know that we are thinking of them.
We will remember them.
We must not forget those lost in WW1 and WW2 and all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice this year in Afghanistan and to all those who have fought for the freedom of us all.
Please add your thoughts and let those who are still in harms way know that we are thinking of them.
We will remember them.
On Sunday (10th) Mrs W and I will be with the President and Secretary and others of RAFA Sud Ouest France at the 70th Anniversary commemoration of the loss of an RAF crew north of Rennes. On Monday we will be at the commemoration in our local town in S Vendee. In France Monday is a public holiday
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It looks like it will rain on our Parade on Sunday. So what, skin's waterproof and many of those we WILL remember have endured considerably worse for weeks/months/years at a time.
We also remember those who didn't actually die in a conflict, but during their training and preparation to go to war. The training attrition is, in my mind, as much a sacrifice for one's Nation as a combat loss. ... They were just denied the opportunity to even the score a little.
We also remember those who didn't actually die in a conflict, but during their training and preparation to go to war. The training attrition is, in my mind, as much a sacrifice for one's Nation as a combat loss. ... They were just denied the opportunity to even the score a little.
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We shall never forget them. My great uncle was killed in the First World War I knew this from an early age but a couple of years ago decided to research it, I was working in Iran at the time and received the information I required from the black watch historian in Perth what I learned then and as I type makes me weep that is why I will always remember my uncle Archibald on the 11th RIP Corporal Troup I never knew you but your son made me the man I am.
Last edited by matkat; 5th Nov 2013 at 20:26.
Rounds 1 and 2 - both disasters for Europe.
A few months ago, in a small French Alpine village, noticed that the same family names appeared several times on their war memorial.
A few months ago, in a small French Alpine village, noticed that the same family names appeared several times on their war memorial.
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For the last 3 years the Squippers have added to the ranks of the RAFA column and hopefully this year we will have 35 of us on parade.
Last year there was a fair amount of banter between the Rocks and the Guins, which as always after the parade everyone adjourned to the Pubs many standing outside where we were fortunate enough to meet and share a drank with Robert Lawrence MC plus.
Many of those who attend with us mention the publics response as we march the route back to Horse Guards for me this was demonstarted when I stood in the Field of Remembrance last year with 2 other mates when an American and his young family approached us and shook us all by the Hand & Thanked us for our Service, how nice for a foreigner to have done this & to be honest a little strange.
I do agree with previous comments that it is a shame that more of the RAF Trades & Sqn Associations aren't in attendance. Perhaps as the veterans from WW2 get older some of us younger veterans can step forward to join the thinning ranks.
Last year there was a fair amount of banter between the Rocks and the Guins, which as always after the parade everyone adjourned to the Pubs many standing outside where we were fortunate enough to meet and share a drank with Robert Lawrence MC plus.
Many of those who attend with us mention the publics response as we march the route back to Horse Guards for me this was demonstarted when I stood in the Field of Remembrance last year with 2 other mates when an American and his young family approached us and shook us all by the Hand & Thanked us for our Service, how nice for a foreigner to have done this & to be honest a little strange.
I do agree with previous comments that it is a shame that more of the RAF Trades & Sqn Associations aren't in attendance. Perhaps as the veterans from WW2 get older some of us younger veterans can step forward to join the thinning ranks.
Robert Lawrence's Dad was an Education Officer at Cranwell when I was a cadet - no doubt there are guys around who as cadets baby sat him. "Tumbledown" is a brilliant play, and IMHO did some good in bringing into the light the somewhat meagre treatment of some those injured in the Falklands.
Most years, a group of fellow motorcyclists & I head off to Belgium or France to commemorate. Previously we have been to Amiens, Normandy, Ypres, Amiens and this weekend we head to Verdun.
My friends have little/no affiliation to the military but choose to ride 1000miles+, often in appalling, cold weather, to be there on the Sunday morning.
We will remember them.
My friends have little/no affiliation to the military but choose to ride 1000miles+, often in appalling, cold weather, to be there on the Sunday morning.
We will remember them.
jaj
I lived in Belgium for a while and used often to go to Ypres where my grandfather and great uncle are remembered on the Menin Gate. Go there to the service on the 11th November and see the poppies cascade through the hole in the roof. It is one of the most moving sights you will ever see.
I have also trudged the ridge (only a few metres high) where they died defending it on 23 April 1915. I often weep for them and all the others who have died for us.
I also agree with those who have posted in support of those who died on the other side. They too were men like us.
I lived in Belgium for a while and used often to go to Ypres where my grandfather and great uncle are remembered on the Menin Gate. Go there to the service on the 11th November and see the poppies cascade through the hole in the roof. It is one of the most moving sights you will ever see.
I have also trudged the ridge (only a few metres high) where they died defending it on 23 April 1915. I often weep for them and all the others who have died for us.
I also agree with those who have posted in support of those who died on the other side. They too were men like us.
This year, as for many years, my wife and I will ring the church bills [in a six] for the service, before which my responsibility is to hoist the banner of St George over the church tower.
My father volunteered when he saw what was coming, RAFVR, gave "the best years of his life" in WW II, having flown his barrage balloon over Coventry in the Blitz [and the Coventry raid itself], the Suez Canal shipping on the ships, for three years, and the D-Day landings, again with his balloon trying to lift a ship out of the water.
His last few months before demob. were as a bar steward in the OM at RAF Machrihanish. Five years was a big chunk of a young man's life.
RIP dad.
My father volunteered when he saw what was coming, RAFVR, gave "the best years of his life" in WW II, having flown his barrage balloon over Coventry in the Blitz [and the Coventry raid itself], the Suez Canal shipping on the ships, for three years, and the D-Day landings, again with his balloon trying to lift a ship out of the water.
His last few months before demob. were as a bar steward in the OM at RAF Machrihanish. Five years was a big chunk of a young man's life.
RIP dad.
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Mrs Nov4 and I have been lucky to get tickets for the afternoon performance of the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall. Bound to be even more of an emotional event than watching it on TV in the evening. Then hoping to get to Whitehall on Sunday to see the ceremony there.