Genealogy Chat

Every year I wear a poppy......my great uncle Alfred was killed in august 1918 aged just 19. My grandfather was killed in June 1944 aged 34 and left 7 kids behind. My dad served for 34 years in the army, my brother in the RAF, my sister in the army, her husband is a serving soldier and my 18 yr old nephew has just finished his basic army training. Wars happen, just look at our most recent history, our soldiers, sailors and airmen die in wars, we should always remember them, and the sacrifice they have made. Maggie

My grandafather, Reginald George Bennett was killed in action during WW1 at Ypres on October 4th, 1917, and has no known resting place. He was a bugler serving with the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. Since starting my research into my family tree, I found that he is commerated at the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium. In June this year, we paid a visit to Tyne Cot - what a moving experience! All those graves, and all so young, and still the killing goes on! If only people would go to these war grave cemeteries, perhaps the enormity of what man does to man would hit home. Remembrance this year will certainly mean that much more to me. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Granddad George Triggs 31st October 1914 Ypres, 1 daughter and 3 sons all under 5 and a wife who waited for him until her death in 1972. All those young men who gave their life so we might enjoy ours. We will remember them. Irene

I have four gguncles that died in WWI along with their cousin, and a great uncle that that died in WWII, i always wear a poppy for them as i have loved ones who still remember them. I wore my poppy as a measure of respect for my surviving family until i got into genealogy, now i know more about my ancestors they seem so much closer and i remember them now with a sense of pride, they have not and will not be forgotten. I also had 2 dearly loved grandfathers who fought in WWII and survived, one in the Navy, and the other who was captured in Crete and held in Stalag VIIIb. I sadly lost them both over the past few years and recently had the priviledge of reading the diary my grandad kept as a POW, it moved me beyond speech. So this year i am wearing my poppy with a much stronger sense of the sacrifice made by so many men, and their families, and my teenage children are also aware that it is not just history to be forgotten once out of the classroom. We will be at the memorial service in our home city on Sunday, and will be doing it out of love, not duty. For all who have fought, and died for our future..............THANKYOU

I don´t have any stories to tell like those on these board but reading them brings tears to my eyes. I have sent my two daughters off to school this morning wearing their poppies and with explanations in their minds as to why it is so important and why they must be worn with pride. I am very proud also, that my birthday is 11th November. Jeannie in Spain (yes, the Royal British Legion is active here too).

After looking on the CWGC site I found my gt.grandfather Thomas Sheldrick, died in action 23rd April 1918. Just a few months before it ended aged 36. My son is now in the cubs and will be attending a service of remembrance on sunday.

My great uncle, Edwin Llwewllyn Prior of the hant & Bucks was killed in WWII. It wasn't the severity of the injury that killed him, but the shock. He left a pregnant wife, Gladys, who gave birth to a stillborn daughter. Unusual for the time, she announced the birth in the local newspaper. Gladys died a few years later. Great Great Grandfather Louis Baggott was a civilian death. killed in Aldeburgh aged 90. My grandfather (fathers side) Lieutenant Comander William Nicholas was killed in Devonport. My grandparents, mother aunt and uncle were bombed out of Southampton. The small terraced house that had been in the family for 98 years was destroyed. They received £6.00 - yes six pounds! compensation.

I make no apology for bringing this back to the top I think it so important.

I have at least 5 members in my family tree that I have traced so far that have died in WW1. My 10 yr old daughter is taking part in the rememberance day parade, laying a wreath at the cenotaph in Kettering Northamptonshire where they all originated from. I also have a box of poppies on my desk at work trying to do my bit. Ive only had a couple of people who would not buy a poppy but boy how angry that made me feel............... Julie

In Memory of my great uncle Henry Charles Palfrey who died in WW1 a corporal machine gun company in France. I'm realy upset as I have searched for him for along time but today I recieved a phonecall saying that the army number that I have quoted on his medals has been given to another casualty of the war, so somewhere there has been a very big mistake made.I now have to wait until a wider search is made. I don't no if the person who has been buried is my uncle with the wrong name or is it the right person with the wrong army number????? Very very sad. Jill

I am lucky in that no-one I know has died in any war, although my family has a strong RAF tradition and my cousin is in the Army (he has served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq). My g/grandfather served in WW1, came home unscathed and lost a leg in an accident a few years later. We used to visit the cemetries in France - Allied and German - on school trips. I don't know if you have ever been to a German one, but they look even larger because the headstones are flat. It's just a huge, open stretch of land until you look down and see all these names engraved on flat black stones.

Perhaps, whilst remembering our own relatives, we could also think of those who had no family to mourn them. There must have been many from childrens homes and orphanages with no next of kin.

although the war in the gulf has suposedly finished soldiers are still being killed we should remember them too

lets put it the top again its important

" When you go from Here, Tell them of us, That we gave our tomorrow's For your today's..... " This is just one of the passages which my Scouts and myself will be saying tomorrow as they light candles in rememberance of the fallen durring past conflicts and for those taking place today.

Putting this to the top again for its importance and to remember especially in my heart all those brave people who have given their lives and those who serve to day and my G.Uncle Private William Hillman , died Struma, 1916 aged 24. For our tomorrow they gave their today. Elaine

RIP Albert LEE RFC 1918. And in memory of my mother Marion nee LEE born 11/11/1934. A

We shall keep the Faith Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields. And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields. My eight year old daughter Sophie, a Brownie Guide, will read this tomorrow morning at the Remembrance Service at our church. I have been practising it with her today and have had to hold back many tears. She knows why she is reading it. I will also be remembering my great uncle Harold Botham who died in WWII. I never knew him, but feel like I did through the stories my mum has told me. They were all so proud of him. Our service tomorrow will remember all those who served past and present and all those who have suffered as a result of any war not only WWI & WWII. Eleanor x

It is now Remembrance Sunday. "In Flanders Fields" and the reply, the Kohima Epitaph, the Last Post, etc will be repeated in many places later today. Ex-service and Regimental Association Standards will be carried and dipped in salute to the fallen of ALL conflicts. Please take time to remember those who gave their all Paul

Cpl 19039 Thomas William Richmond, 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regt. Killed in action, Langemark, Flanders 27.08.1917 age 29. Private 4751755 Leslie Richmond, York and Lancaster Regt. Killed in action 31.07.1941 age 25. I never knew you but I`ll never forget your sacrifice. God bless you. M.H