General Chat

My OH's maternal Grandfather was killed in WW1, due to gassing. We have visited many of the sites and cemeteries in France and Belgium, and each was a truly moving experience.

let us not forget that India also took part in WW1 - one of my Dad's older brothers left a diary, which I sent ot the Imperial War Museum - in that diary he says "Today our Indians arrived" I was surprised as I had no idea they fought alongside us

Many nations are remembered in the inscription below the World War 1 Memorial Arch dedicated in Folkestone today by Prince Harry.

Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, just outside the town is the resting place for many nationalities.
There are many Canadians and some Chinese too.

Gwyn

as a slight aside, but one that might be of interest to some of you ....................


The building behind my grandmother in my avatar, with the balconies and Italianate look, was the Royal Northern Sea Bathing Infirmary and Convalescent Home, built on Foreshore Road, Scarborough, ca 1860, although it was originally founded about 1812.


This building is still there, Grade II listed, although no longer used as a hospital



Scarborough was bombarded by German ships in December 1914, and the RNSBI was hit and damaged.

Fortunately, no-one was hurt at the hospital .................. which was lucky as there were injured Belgian and English servicemen being cared for.


I don't remember anyone ever telling me this during all my visits to Scarborough through the 1950s ................... but the damage to the Lighthouse caused at the same time was always pointed to visitors.

It was still visible 40+ years later.

My Father served in Scottish Regiments during the War and was blinded.
Life was very hard in those days - not the benefits that are available now.
My Father died when I was 16.
I will never forget.

I thought todays programmes were very moving, but can I say I was disappointed that the Queen did not attend the service in Glasgow has she is on holiday in Scotland.

I am sure many may have been disappointed at the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's low profiles yesterday, however the Queen did attend a memorial service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in Aberdeenshire and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a memorial service at Sandringham Church, near King’s Lynn in Norfolk.

In fairness to them, they are both very elderly, the Queen is now 88 and the Duke of Edinburgh is now 93, both attended several events earlier this year relating to the First World War, also we do not know anything about the current state of their health, taking their ages into account, I think it was only right and proper for the younger royals to take the lead in this weeks main memorial services.

Alas, as time passes, I think we will see the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, retreat more and more from public duties.

It seems strange to me that all the ceremonies etc. are concentrated on the Army.
I have not heard/seen/read of any references to the Royal Navy, Merchant Service and the forerunner of RAF.

My father's cousin was awarded the MM posthumously. However, my g.father's ship was torpedoed but he survived only to be blown up in 1940. The cousin's father lost his life at sea as did several relatives.

Two g.uncles of OH lost their lives serving with Royal Navy in WW1.

I never forget them and have ensured they live on in the family tree.

We lit our home by a single candle last night.
I thought about my great uncle who came over from Ireland and enlisted in a Scottish Regiment at the end 1915, aged just 18 yrs.

At the end of Feb 1918 he was promoted to L. Cpl.
2 weeks later, he was awarded with the MM for an earlier act of bravery
3 days later again, he was taken as a POW.
He died on day 3 from a "gunshot wound to brain"

He had just turned 21 yrs of age

Just a thought my granddad's cousin died in Palestine in November 1917 I was just wondering why I have never heard that mentioned.

Perhaps the absence of information about Palestine's role in the First World War may have something to do with the aftermath of the battles to topple the Ottoman Empire.

The war in that theatre ended with the British occupying the territory that became Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, Britain's military success made it the main power in the region.

The settlement that was agreed, created a lot instability and controversy in the area, instability and controversy that has continued ever since, as can be seen from the current conflicts in Gaza and the Middle East.

So looking at what went on back then and what is still going on in Gaza and the Middle East today - maybe they decided to keep things low key.

Thank you OFITG most interesting I did guess that it was something like that, just hope somehow the graves are able to be looked after.