|
|
Post by francegas on Nov 7, 2024 15:18:50 GMT
I will wear my poppy with pride here in France.
My Grandfather was a Captain with the Royal Engineers during WW2. He was on the beaches at Dunkirk and made sure everyone under his command was safely on a boat. When it came to him there were no boats left. He had two decisions to either be taken as a POW or swim. He took off his jacket and boots put a photo of my Mum in his back pocket and started to swim. He got about half way across where he was picked up by a British destroyer.
There is an old black and white film of Dunkirk which finishes with a lone swimmer being picked up. My Grandfather always said it was him, I never had the heart to say you probably weren't the only one who took the decision to swim, but I was so immensely proud of him.
He would always be happy to discuss his experience at Dunkirk and in West Africa but ask him about his experience of landing on the beaches on D-Day and he would clam up and never discussed it.
He thankfully survived the war but his brother was killed and buried at one of the war grave cemeteries in I believe Belgium.
I will remember them.
|
|
Cheshiregas
Global Moderator
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,979 
|
Post by Cheshiregas on Nov 7, 2024 17:15:10 GMT
I will wear my poppy with pride here in France. My Grandfather was a Captain with the Royal Engineers during WW2. He was on the beaches at Dunkirk and made sure everyone under his command was safely on a boat. When it came to him there were no boats left. He had two decisions to either be taken as a POW or swim. He took off his jacket and boots put a photo of my Mum in his back pocket and started to swim. He got about half way across where he was picked up by a British destroyer. There is an old black and white film of Dunkirk which finishes with a lone swimmer being picked up. My Grandfather always said it was him, I never had the heart to say you probably weren't the only one who took the decision to swim, but I was so immensely proud of him. He would always be happy to discuss his experience at Dunkirk and in West Africa but ask him about his experience of landing on the beaches on D-Day and he would clam up and never discussed it. He thankfully survived the war but his brother was killed and buried at one of the war grave cemeteries in I believe Belgium. I will remember them. You must be very proud of him France. My uncle was on the Normandy beaches, Gold Beach and then onto Berlin, at the age of 19. Was hospitalised with shell shock [now PTSD]. He rarely spoke of it, but the day he landed was the day he became an atheist after he saw the prime of British youth slaughtered on the beaches. As an aside, it became apparent how little those who were not there really fail at times to understand the impact on those who fought, when his son in law insisted on taking my uncle back to the beaches when he was in his 70s. He confided in me that he didn't really want to go but did so to placate his son in law. He came back a broken man and was never the same after all the memories came flooding back. He was though a good man and a wonderful human being who I very much miss. |
|
Icegas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by Icegas on Nov 7, 2024 17:20:07 GMT
I will wear my poppy with pride here in France. My Grandfather was a Captain with the Royal Engineers during WW2. He was on the beaches at Dunkirk and made sure everyone under his command was safely on a boat. When it came to him there were no boats left. He had two decisions to either be taken as a POW or swim. He took off his jacket and boots put a photo of my Mum in his back pocket and started to swim. He got about half way across where he was picked up by a British destroyer. There is an old black and white film of Dunkirk which finishes with a lone swimmer being picked up. My Grandfather always said it was him, I never had the heart to say you probably weren't the only one who took the decision to swim, but I was so immensely proud of him. He would always be happy to discuss his experience at Dunkirk and in West Africa but ask him about his experience of landing on the beaches on D-Day and he would clam up and never discussed it. He thankfully survived the war but his brother was killed and buried at one of the war grave cemeteries in I believe Belgium. I will remember them. You must be very proud of him France. My uncle was on the Normandy beaches, Gold Beach and then onto Berlin, at the age of 19. Was hospitalised with shell shock [now PTSD]. He rarely spoke of it, but the day he landed was the day he became an atheist after he saw the prime of British youth slaughtered on the beaches. As an aside, it became apparent how little those who were not there really fail at times to understand the impact on those who fought, when his son in law insisted on taking my uncle back to the beaches when he was in his 70s. He confided in me that he didn't really want to go but did so to placate his son in law. He came back a broken man and was never the saw after all the memories came flooding back. He was though a good man and a wonderful human being who I very much miss. Poppy day always means alot given my respect for the people that created our freedoms to debate and challenge each other on here so we can disagree. I wear my poppy with pride! 11th November is also my birthday 😍 I read your other post about your family earlier Cheshire, I hope you are doing well.👍 . |
|
|
|
Post by lostinspace on Nov 7, 2024 18:17:31 GMT
Both my mother and fathers uncles are with the ' unknown grave' and names are on the Menin Gate, my dad was a coxswain on the landing craft oon DDay, he only ever spoke ( knowingly to me and my brothers and sisters,) about his experience on that day, that was to my son, his school were doing history about the 2nd WW, quite horrifying how he described in detail about young soldiers drowning as they left the craft because of the depth of water and the weight of their backpacks they were carrying, those unfortunate lads he said " never seen the war" ...may they rest in peace,..🌹bless them all
|
|
baselswh
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 6,884
Member is Online
|
Post by baselswh on Nov 8, 2024 7:49:28 GMT
Pro Palestine marches are to go ahead ,on the 11th,in Liverpool, Bath,Birmingham and across Ireland .
No respect and deliberately provocative.
|
|
trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,548
|
Post by trymer on Nov 8, 2024 8:50:29 GMT
Pro Palestine marches are to go ahead ,on the 11th,in Liverpool, Bath,Birmingham and across Ireland . No respect and deliberately provocative. Disgusting,shows what they are all about. |
|
|
|
Post by lostinspace on Nov 8, 2024 9:46:20 GMT
Pro Palestine marches are to go ahead ,on the 11th,in Liverpool, Bath,Birmingham and across Ireland . No respect and deliberately provocative. Now who will be surprised if there is ' unrest' the police should call these in now, because without doubt there will be trouble and just who will get the blame? Prevention is better than a cure 🤔? |
|
Cheshiregas
Global Moderator
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,979
|
Post by Cheshiregas on Nov 8, 2024 10:21:10 GMT
It appears to be student groups organising small demonstrations across the UK.
Last year Armistice Day was on a Sunday with 300,000 marching and 126 arrests of protestors and counter protestors.
There are regular marches so I think the day should be for remembrance and respect by all.
|
|
|
|
Post by baldrick on Nov 9, 2024 21:34:07 GMT
Festival of Remembrance as moving as ever. Nice to mention Italy and the Far East too. The war wasn't just North West Europe.
|
|
baselswh
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 6,884
Member is Online
|
Post by baselswh on Nov 9, 2024 21:40:36 GMT
It appears to be student groups organising small demonstrations across the UK. Last year Armistice Day was on a Sunday with 300,000 marching and 126 arrests of protestors and counter protestors. There are regular marches so I think the day should be for remembrance and respect by all. Same lot as the Stop Oil people I heard. I think they may get hurt. |
|
|
|
Post by baldrick on Nov 10, 2024 11:59:30 GMT
|
|
Icegas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by Icegas on Nov 10, 2024 21:19:55 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by baldrick on Nov 10, 2024 21:40:43 GMT
Don't think that's suitable for this thread, Ice. I was hoping we'd keep politics off here out of respect. Repost on another thread? |
|
Icegas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by Icegas on Nov 10, 2024 21:56:53 GMT
Don't think that's suitable for this thread, Ice. I was hoping we'd keep politics off here out of respect. Repost on another thread? Actually my apologies, I remember this being brought up which I agree with.I honestly thought this was the Labour party thread. Please remove over mods,or I will delete. |
|
trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,548
|
Post by trymer on Nov 10, 2024 21:59:35 GMT
I agree Ice, I have always thought that Britain is a very tolerant country,perhaps that tolerance has been taken advantage of ? |
|
Icegas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by Icegas on Nov 10, 2024 22:02:01 GMT
I agree Ice, I have always thought that Britain is a very tolerant country,perhaps that tolerance has been taken advantage of ? Let's take this over to the other thread..👍genuinely I posted it here in the wrong place. |
|
trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 2,548
|
Post by trymer on Nov 10, 2024 22:08:44 GMT
I agree Ice, I have always thought that Britain is a very tolerant country,perhaps that tolerance has been taken advantage of ? Let's take this over to the other thread..👍genuinely I posted it here in the wrong place. Looks like the bloke being interviewed was on a Remembrance parade so it's ok on here. btw the 2 minutes silence was observed by nearly everyone at my gym today,i was impressed,only a few students carried on training and I wouldnt expect anything else from them. |
|
Cheshiregas
Global Moderator
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,979
|
Post by Cheshiregas on Nov 11, 2024 9:11:34 GMT
Differing views on the silence Celtic fans protest at Kilmarnock.www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/minute-s-silence-cut-short-as-celtic-fans-sing-through-tribute-in-protest/ar-AA1tQunX?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=00d339a022e9421eb5f6ba02ee576008&ei=12Celtic fans held up banners ahead of the tribute at Kilmarnock reading: "From Balfour to Starmer, the crimes of the empire live on, Britain is committing genocide in Gaza." When referee Nick Walsh blew his whistle to start the silence, Celtic fans sang about the death of Aidan McAnespie, who was shot by a British soldier in County Tyrone in 1988. Walsh whistled to halt the tribute as the chanting continued. A Celtic fans group - who were situated where the banners were unfurled - later explained their reasons for the protest. A statement from North Curve Celtic said: "Today, on Armistice Day, we highlight the hypocrisy and shame of the British establishment and others who selectively mourn the loss of life and fail to support an armistice to the ongoing genocide in Palestine." Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes said he thought it was "awful". "Awful. Why? I'm not going into it, I'm not a politician or anything but it's our ground, it's our minute's silence," he said. "I don't get why we shouldn't have the wherewithal just to stand and show a bit of respect for one minute." SNP Leader at Westminster refuses to sing anthemwww.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/disrespectful-flynn-snubs-the-national-anthem-again/ar-AA1tQjgX?ocid=BingNewsSerpThe SNP’s Westminster leader has been criticised for snubbing the national anthem - again. For the second year, Stephen Flynn was silent during the singing of God Save the King at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. The Scottish Conservatives said his behaviour had ‘fallen shamefully short’ of expected standards, while the Liberal Democrats suggested it was a display of narcissism. But a former SNP MP claimed his old boss was the victim of ‘manufactured outrage’. Mr Flynn’s conduct contrasted sharply with that of First Minister John Swinney in Edinburgh. At the end of a wreath-laying ceremony on the Royal Mile, the SNP leader civic and military leaders, veterans and the general public in singing the anthem’s first verse. GB News condemned for going ‘off air’ with loud sustained beeping and adverts during Remembrance Day silencewww.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/gb-news-condemned-for-going-off-air-with-loud-sustained-beeping-and-adverts-during-remembrance-day-silence/ar-AA1tPDhj?ocid=BingNewsSerpTV channel GB News has faced criticism after seemingly going off air during the Remembrance Day two-minute silence. Those watching GB News during the silence, which is held at 11am every Remembrance Sunday to honour members of the armed forces, were instead treated to an “off-air” test card, along with a sustained beeping sound. After a minute of the test card appearing onscreen, and the accompanying beeping, the channel then went straight into advertisements. Viewers criticised the incident on social media, with many noting the irony of it occurring on GB News, a right-leaning channel that has devoted significant airtime in recent weeks to the importance of Remembrance Day. As a side note I had the privilege of leading the silence at my grandsons rugby match yesterday. The club had bought special poppies for the lad to wear on their outfits. |
|
|
|
Post by matealotblue on Nov 11, 2024 9:29:06 GMT
Differing views on the silence Celtic fans protest at Kilmarnock.www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/minute-s-silence-cut-short-as-celtic-fans-sing-through-tribute-in-protest/ar-AA1tQunX?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=00d339a022e9421eb5f6ba02ee576008&ei=12Celtic fans held up banners ahead of the tribute at Kilmarnock reading: "From Balfour to Starmer, the crimes of the empire live on, Britain is committing genocide in Gaza." When referee Nick Walsh blew his whistle to start the silence, Celtic fans sang about the death of Aidan McAnespie, who was shot by a British soldier in County Tyrone in 1988. Walsh whistled to halt the tribute as the chanting continued. A Celtic fans group - who were situated where the banners were unfurled - later explained their reasons for the protest. A statement from North Curve Celtic said: "Today, on Armistice Day, we highlight the hypocrisy and shame of the British establishment and others who selectively mourn the loss of life and fail to support an armistice to the ongoing genocide in Palestine." Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes said he thought it was "awful". "Awful. Why? I'm not going into it, I'm not a politician or anything but it's our ground, it's our minute's silence," he said. "I don't get why we shouldn't have the wherewithal just to stand and show a bit of respect for one minute." SNP Leader at Westminster refuses to sing anthemwww.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/disrespectful-flynn-snubs-the-national-anthem-again/ar-AA1tQjgX?ocid=BingNewsSerpThe SNP’s Westminster leader has been criticised for snubbing the national anthem - again. For the second year, Stephen Flynn was silent during the singing of God Save the King at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. The Scottish Conservatives said his behaviour had ‘fallen shamefully short’ of expected standards, while the Liberal Democrats suggested it was a display of narcissism. But a former SNP MP claimed his old boss was the victim of ‘manufactured outrage’. Mr Flynn’s conduct contrasted sharply with that of First Minister John Swinney in Edinburgh. At the end of a wreath-laying ceremony on the Royal Mile, the SNP leader civic and military leaders, veterans and the general public in singing the anthem’s first verse. GB News condemned for going ‘off air’ with loud sustained beeping and adverts during Remembrance Day silencewww.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/gb-news-condemned-for-going-off-air-with-loud-sustained-beeping-and-adverts-during-remembrance-day-silence/ar-AA1tPDhj?ocid=BingNewsSerpTV channel GB News has faced criticism after seemingly going off air during the Remembrance Day two-minute silence. Those watching GB News during the silence, which is held at 11am every Remembrance Sunday to honour members of the armed forces, were instead treated to an “off-air” test card, along with a sustained beeping sound. After a minute of the test card appearing onscreen, and the accompanying beeping, the channel then went straight into advertisements. Viewers criticised the incident on social media, with many noting the irony of it occurring on GB News, a right-leaning channel that has devoted significant airtime in recent weeks to the importance of Remembrance Day. As a side note I had the privilege of leading the silence at my grandsons rugby match yesterday. The club had bought special poppies for the lad to wear on their outfits. And all I can say to those numpties who do that sort of thing - Just remember you are not speaking German as a first language. The bravery of those that went before you is beyond anything you can imagine. |
|
oldie
Joined: September 2021
Posts: 7,543
Member is Online
|
Post by oldie on Nov 11, 2024 10:08:24 GMT
Differing views on the silence Celtic fans protest at Kilmarnock.www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/minute-s-silence-cut-short-as-celtic-fans-sing-through-tribute-in-protest/ar-AA1tQunX?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=00d339a022e9421eb5f6ba02ee576008&ei=12Celtic fans held up banners ahead of the tribute at Kilmarnock reading: "From Balfour to Starmer, the crimes of the empire live on, Britain is committing genocide in Gaza." When referee Nick Walsh blew his whistle to start the silence, Celtic fans sang about the death of Aidan McAnespie, who was shot by a British soldier in County Tyrone in 1988. Walsh whistled to halt the tribute as the chanting continued. A Celtic fans group - who were situated where the banners were unfurled - later explained their reasons for the protest. A statement from North Curve Celtic said: "Today, on Armistice Day, we highlight the hypocrisy and shame of the British establishment and others who selectively mourn the loss of life and fail to support an armistice to the ongoing genocide in Palestine." Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes said he thought it was "awful". "Awful. Why? I'm not going into it, I'm not a politician or anything but it's our ground, it's our minute's silence," he said. "I don't get why we shouldn't have the wherewithal just to stand and show a bit of respect for one minute." SNP Leader at Westminster refuses to sing anthemwww.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/disrespectful-flynn-snubs-the-national-anthem-again/ar-AA1tQjgX?ocid=BingNewsSerpThe SNP’s Westminster leader has been criticised for snubbing the national anthem - again. For the second year, Stephen Flynn was silent during the singing of God Save the King at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. The Scottish Conservatives said his behaviour had ‘fallen shamefully short’ of expected standards, while the Liberal Democrats suggested it was a display of narcissism. But a former SNP MP claimed his old boss was the victim of ‘manufactured outrage’. Mr Flynn’s conduct contrasted sharply with that of First Minister John Swinney in Edinburgh. At the end of a wreath-laying ceremony on the Royal Mile, the SNP leader civic and military leaders, veterans and the general public in singing the anthem’s first verse. GB News condemned for going ‘off air’ with loud sustained beeping and adverts during Remembrance Day silencewww.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/gb-news-condemned-for-going-off-air-with-loud-sustained-beeping-and-adverts-during-remembrance-day-silence/ar-AA1tPDhj?ocid=BingNewsSerpTV channel GB News has faced criticism after seemingly going off air during the Remembrance Day two-minute silence. Those watching GB News during the silence, which is held at 11am every Remembrance Sunday to honour members of the armed forces, were instead treated to an “off-air” test card, along with a sustained beeping sound. After a minute of the test card appearing onscreen, and the accompanying beeping, the channel then went straight into advertisements. Viewers criticised the incident on social media, with many noting the irony of it occurring on GB News, a right-leaning channel that has devoted significant airtime in recent weeks to the importance of Remembrance Day. As a side note I had the privilege of leading the silence at my grandsons rugby match yesterday. The club had bought special poppies for the lad to wear on their outfits. All around, those reports are unbelievable. Forget the politics of it all, then and now, this is, was and always will be honouring those who died defending our country. Lots to be critical of in history, but absolutely not on Remembrance Sunday. |
|
