Remembrance 2020, Royals,

Because of the virus a shortened Remembrance event was held today at the War Memorial.  Around 20 or so people attended.  One man led, the piper played, the trumpeter offered the last post and we stood in silence.  Short but respectful, as you would expect.  The several hundred that would normally appear at the Sunday service may well have stood for the two minutes silence in shops, streets or elsewhere today. 

 

 

One wreath was laid today, added to those laid unofficially on Sunday.  This came from a local school who attend each year.  The children, heads bowed and respectful, always add something to such occasions.  I suspect these will know more about the Great War than the many educated via the 'Daily Express' and 'Daily Mail.'  

 

Quietly and respectfully the people dispersed, an occasional ex-serviceman was spotted, army cap and medals showing, and the people drifted away, on with their business.

 

My business took me to Tesco for bread and circus's, hold on, bread and wine, the last being something I forgot.  Plenty of soap however, the girl wondered if I was panic buying or just filthy?  Considering my garb I would have thought the answer obvious myself.

Back home, cleaned up, having posted the pictures on the memorial I rest.  My knees ache from standing around and walking, my head aches from Google Sites new system.  The old system was easy to operate, even if it had limitations.  The new one is not easy, things disappear, squares come and go, understanding what to do when items suddenly shrink or enlarge is not clear, questions are then asked as to the mentality of the geek who originated the blasted thing, and as my views were posted to them several times in the past I could not be bothered passing on my compliments today.  Eventually the two war memorial sites went up, this deserved lunch!

 

Standard

 

I see the royals are making the most of the date.  Kate is pictured chatting to war widows online, though the 'Standard' just notes the blouse costs £79!  I could buy two suits for that!  As she chats secretly in front of the photographers her husband is talking secretly to troops serving around the world.

Now normally this would be part and parcel of being royal, today it is part of the 'Buck House' way of indicating to Harry and Meghan they are 'out of order.'  Willie and Kate always get good press, and that is never something to put your trust in, Harry and Meghan always get a bad press.  The media love this, the royal fan, and there is lots of them, enjoys the soap opera that lives of the nations tax, and this might be the only way some media survive!  Harry and Meghan did visit a war memorial, this is called a 'photo op' by the press, Kate and William's contact however is called 'caring.'  

Do you, like me, have other words for this?

 

Mercury News

Remembrance Sunday 2020

 

 

The pandemic, which you may have heard about, has interfered with all aspects of life today.  The annual Remembrance services held around the nation have been affected although the main cenotaph service has gone ahead and people will make their own remembrance in various ways.

It is fair to say that for many years attendance at such services has fallen, this is understandable as those involved begin to fade and the younger generation do not feel the effects of war as slightly more elderly folks do.  It would be wrong however to suggest the youth of today does not have knowledge of the world wars and other conflicts from the past, some schools educate the kids well and they often have more understanding of those conflicts than those who are educated by todays 'popular press.'  There a jingoistic propaganda with little knowledge or understanding is offered, not much good in educating the people on war.  A school near me was so well informed re the Great War that their commemoration service was broadcast on nationwide TV one year, and they knew well the Great War, much better than I.

Possibly half the nation today pay little observance at this time, however, they will appreciate the services if and when they require their help.  There is little opposition to having an army, there was from the unthinking left among us a distaste for military service before the Falklands conflict.  Those who advocated ceasing nuclear weapons while not objecting to the possible enemy having them took the place of the 1930s appeasers.  This one-sided argument can still be found, I suggest its propagators visit China and suggest they cease making such weapons.  After the Falklands a recognition of what joining the army meant was once again in the publics mind.  Even while objecting to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan few grumbled about the men involved, it was the wrong wars at the wrong time most rightly objected to.  Indeed, the use of British troops in those wars, considered the USA's needless wars, led to a fall in recruitment which still hinders the services.  That is not going to change anytime soon. 

Our service was online again, our man did a good job in the circumstances.  I hope you like it. 

German Prisoners

 

When first I saw you in the curious street,
Like some platoon of soldier ghosts in grey,
My mad impulse was all to smite and slay,
To spit upon you – tread you ‘neath my feet.
But when I saw how each sad soul did greet
My gaze with no sign of defiant frown,
How from tired eyes looked spirits broken down,
How each face showed the pale flag of defeat,
And doubt, despair, and disillusionment,
And how were grievous wounds on many a head,
And on your garb red-faced was other red;
And how you stooped as men whose strength was spent,
I knew that we had suffered each as other,
And could have grasped your hand and cried, ‘My brother!’
 

Joseph Lee.  Black Watch
from Work-a-Day Warriors (London: John Murray, 1917)
Scottish Poetry Library

 

 

Remembrance 2019

This morning I participated in the remembrance service, reading the appropriate words, the silence, the 9 page 'walk' which he had come up with.  This meant standing a lot reading in public, how scary that turned out to be!  I thought it would be easy but I was so nervous at first and only settled down as went on.  Not good!  However we got through it and many a thought was brought to the surface I discovered later. Very interesting response.

Then walk home and after a quick bite off to the gardens for the remembrance event.
This is where I discovered how the Rotary Club can help.  Once there the spot where I usually stand to take pictures was roped off.  Luckily the man who this year is 'top dog' in rotary circles was there to offer their wreath and it just happens I know him from the museum.  He spoke to the commander of the day and soon I was past the rope and in position with the generals blessing.  He may not be a general but he was in charge.

 
The usual military style gathering, the dignitaries arriving last behind a piper.
An enormous turn out of young folks, training corps, scouts, and the variety of lesser organisation led the way in followed by the masses.  Several hundred, some in uniform, many wearing service blazers, caps and medals, and one or two now in wheelchairs who were standing not so long ago.

The rotary dignitaries!
The laying of wreaths gets longer each year.  I sometimes wonder why some offer them, but annually they are represented.  Naturally, Police, fire, St Johns and such like are there.  Various military organisations, and today at least one individual offered something.  The important folk went first, then a long list was read out and one by one those present came forward.  Two High schools were represented, one of which takes this on so much that their remembrance service was put out on the BBC a few years ago.  It annoys me so many claim kids no nothing of war yet these guys no more than most 'Daily Mail' readers ever will!  It did cross my mind that skirts that short were not however worn at the school I attended!

The usual marvellous turn out.  The local vicar, High Church, worked his way through the service well and within three quarters of an hour, not counting similar time awaiting the start it was over.  The troops marched away, though whether those under twelve could be called 'marching' can be disputed, and they headed up to St Mikes for the proper, evangelical, service as always.  A short march past afterwards and all was over.  I however did not follow them to St Mikes, two meetings a day is enough and I wished to lie down and eat pizza.

Now, the brain is to tired to think, this I was told today, is not unusual for me.  Yes, it was a woman.
I sip cheap brandy looking for strength and read my book looking for sleep.  A good day is over.

Saturday Legion

Too cold and too lazy to do anything today.
I wandered about in a sunshine that possessed no heat.  The town was bright and the light makes even dreary areas look decent, however while young men sauntered around bravely in pullovers or tee shirts normal folks wrapped up.  
I felt sorry for the Legion me, those not dressed in camouflage gear had to appear in blazers.  This is why most broke the army rules and had hands in pockets most of the time, they must have been freezing!  Appearance however is all for such people, the Legions image must be maintained.  
Lots of cadets around selling poppies, lots of folks wearing them.
One post on Twitter came from someone explaining why they do not wear poppies.  I see no reason for people doing this, the whole idea of fighting wars fro freedom is to ensure the freedom to wear or not wear a poppy.  The Legion makes this clear and opposes forcing folk to wear them, quite right to.  However the 'Daily Mail' and 'Express' reader will stir it by demanding action taken by the none xenophobic who dare not to wear one.   Always the same people, always the same response.
We wore them when young in the 50s without thinking about it.  They appealed less in the 60s when we wished to avoid wars and 'Give peace a chance.'  The cry was 'Make love not war,' although round my way it as more 'Make Tea not war!'  
We then had Ireland!
That brought troops into our minds again.  Then there was the Falklands conflict, that reminded many soldiers were a good idea, even if Thatcher herself was not.
By then I had taken to reading about the Great War, a war we genuinely knew little about, and I became entranced in the many stories that arose from the conflict.  It was later I realised many others were doing the same thing, we found our history without having it shoved down our throats.

A variety of events brought people round to remembering their history, the centenary of the Great War also helped, and now most people understand something of two wars and what happened after them.  How deep this goes time alone will tell.
Tomorrow I have the Sunday service, 9 pages of readings between three of us!  Then the 2pm remembrance at the memorial.  Around 500 usually gather, the 'high heid yins' also attending.  The police are always on the watch for terrorist attacking, this time it may just be people yelling abuse at the MP!

Remembrance 2018

Remembrance 2018 followed the usual pattern however many more people wished to offer wreaths this year, possibly because of the centenary.  The meeting was therefore longer but most remained until the end.

I asked to take pictures of this man's medals.  So many covering a wide range of places servicemen  have been sent to in recent years.  He also has been awarded several long term medals also.  Such men risk their lives daily but we tend not to know about them.   

Then it was off to the parish church for a service.  I missed out having been involved this morning, two was acceptable not three!  Then as they participants gathered the piper played a lament.

Remembrance

The bitter wind did not stop several hundreds appearing at the memorial to pay their respects.  How many came to pay respects and how many came to see their family member parade is of course never clear however a good number turned up on a bitterly cold afternoon.

George Osborne's austerity cutbacks threatened us with a shortage of police to close the road however an abundant of officers were detailed to a bigger parade in another town in the morning and several were detailed to support us.  A delightful young policewoman informed me of this while complaining of freezing to death in the middle of the road.  I say delightful but remain in no doubt had she the need she would break me in a moment!  Never trust a woman!

 
The local MP, a friend of Boris, attended in spite of his fear Boris might get dumped and his chances of a minister role evaporating.  He does have the right to the medals however.  All the proper dignitaries were there as is right, what goes through their minds, especially those who have served in conflict at some stage?

Young and old from a variety of services always turn out, not all in uniform.  The active ATC in the town has many members and those who I have spoken to always appear to have a positive future in the RAF in years to come.  I suspect however it will not be a peaceful one while if we have peace at home conflict will be available somewhere in the world.

The expressions on the young are always worth watching.  Most appear confused as to what is going on yet obey the commands on offer, though the flag bearers had to he instructed to lower their flag at the right time, I hope they lifted them again.  Several groups of what we used to call Cubs and Scouts but now have a variety of different names were in attendance each and everyone wishing 'Long Johns' were back in fashion. 

One thing I would like brought into the service is a mention of two or three names from the memorial.  We had this in church in the morning as three names of those living nearby who fell were read out in our short service.  I think it brings home to the public that the names are people, not just names.
E. Thorogood for instance joined up early and was turned down because of his youth, by 1918 he fell with the Machine Gun Corps during Ludendorff's Great and failing 'Push.'  W. Saward was a dyer at the silk factory but by October 1915 he was 'presumed dead' at Loos.  H.C. Simms was the unluckiest of all, the wireless operator on the S.S. Gitano they were headed for the Baltic during December after the war had ended and never arrived.  It being presumed the ship hit a mine and disappeared and has never been found. 
Over two hundred names from one war and around ninety from another but they are not just names they were people.  I think the names ought to be mentioned each year after all some standing there may fall in the course of their duty the same way.

   
This excellent chap flies Apache Helicopters and is based quite near as often two of these noisy machines pass overhead the noise heard for miles around.  These cannot be equated with stealth aircraft!  I asked for a picture of his medals for the war memorial as I want such on the memorial to indicate something of the service many have offered.  I did not ask his name nor about the medals as he had friends there and I did not wish to hold him up. These indicate a variety of operations, often under UN control and I note in particular Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia.  
For thirty years we sent men to be shot in the back or blown up in Northern Ireland and yet to attain peace Tony Blair allowed members of the IRA Provos to be given 'Letters of Comfort' which meant these men, often men who had killed, could walk the streets free from justice.  However now the police are investigating every killing by soldiers and police in Northern Ireland to see if a crime has occurred.  How can murdering Provos walk free while those who risked their lives to end the conflict are threatened with jail?  It is clear some rough men served in the army, it is clear things did occur that ought not to occur, it is also clear that war is a dangerous game and politicians who send men to war must be willing to take that blame instead of allowing their soldiers to take that blame.
Our soldiers deserve better.