General Chat

Mum's cousin Robert Meres Stainton died on the Somme on 1.7.1916, age 22. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial.

Dear LaGooner, Von, Purple, Pat, Rollo and Joeva

Thank you all for contributing to the post and sharing your memories.

ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

My 4th cousin a private in the 9th (Service) Btn. Devonshire Regiment. was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916. R.I.P George and all your comrades that perished with you. <3

My grandfather, a Gunner and professional soldier, fought at the Somme beside his 2nd cousin. I still have a letter sent to him about the birth of his first son at that time. His view of things is thus.

"There are bold soldiers
There are old soldiers
There are no old bold soldiers"

I have still his medals and decorations. They are in nearly new condition as rarely worn. He did not agree at all with the celebration of "victory" and all the parades and such that go with it. He was far from alone in that view.

My granny had four brothers. Two were killed with the B.E.F. One died in an exploding warship. One emigrated to California in 1912. He was drafted into the US Army and ended up fighting in France. He survived and returned to the USA.

Google for Stanley Spencer Burghclere. These are the images which must be rememb ered.

Thank you for remembering Elizabeth.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

WE WILL REMEMBER

On that terrible day, my Mum would have been a tiny baby barely 4 months old. I wonder what her family thought about the future when so many people were lost in just one day and then so many more thereafter.

They gave their lives selflessly and it must have been terrible for their families left behind.

Honour and respect to them all

Lizx

My father enlisted in Dec 1915 but was discharged by Oct 1916 having lost an eye.
He never spoke about the war but he was affected for the whole of his life.
His brother my uncle was killed in 1917.
My maternal grandfather also served throughout the whole war and was badly affected by his experiences.

We remember all those who served. <3

Respect to all the brave service people involved. they will never be forgotten <3

Dear All

Good Evening,


101 years ago this evening, British and allied troops were engaged in the bloody and fierce battle of the Somme against Germany.


By the end of the first day of battle, on1 July 1916, nearly 20,000 people had been
killed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Between 1 July and 18 November 1916, more than 3 million men fought in this battle and one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history.


TO REMEMBER ALWAYS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

World War One was called the "War to End all Wars" but STILL people have
not learned how to live in peace.



With the deepest of respect
Take gentle care
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx