General Chat

1914-18 and 1939-45, men and women - and for all those who have been killed in war - it often wasn't their choice to be there.

Alice

Private Christopher Perry
8th bn., Bedford Regiment
Killed in action 15 september 1916 age 47years.
Buried Thiepval
RIP

This thread is a lovely idea Cathy. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to remember.

I am a bit late, but I am sure many of you got a letter from the British Legion enclosing a cardboard poppy that you could complete with a message for those who died in WW1 to be placed at Ypres, and send a donation. As I have recently located several rellies who died and the CWGC have agreed to amend their records to be more accurate, I sent off a poppy and a donation. Unfortunately the deadline for doing so was today, so other people might be too late.

But here are my fellas and the first one is triply sad:

Leonard Stokes of Glossop, Derbyshire, died in France June 1917 aged 19, Commemorated at Orchard Dump. Just three months earlier he had married Alma Wilkinson and probably unbeknown to him she was pregnant with their only child, a daughter Alma born December 1917. The little girl died at 16 months old of diptheria. Leonard would have been my dad's uncle.

James Stokes, brother of Leonard, died May 1917 aged 28, 12th Bttn Cheshire Regiment, commemorated at Salonika.

Eli Downs, Glossop, died 1815 aged 21, commemorated at Thiepval. Husband of my mother's aunt.

Walter Warhurst of Macclesfield, 7th Btn Cheshire Regiment, died 1918 aged 28, buried at Tournai. My husband's great uncle.

Frank Millward of Maclesfield, Lancashire Fusiliers, died 1916 age 21. Relationship by marriage on my husband's side.

Henry Hurst Teasdale of Glossop, d 1841 age 28 on HMS Bonaventure, commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial. My mum's sister's brother in law.

Finally, Charles Gradwell of Glossop, d 1945 age 35, Royal Corps of Signals. My mum's uncle. He did not die in action like the others, but was diagnosed with cancer just as he was ready to leave the UK for active service, which he would have done with pride.

Most of these were Privates unless otherwise stated, which means they were likely in the front line when they died.

Tonight I went to see an amateur theatre production of the play Journey's End by R.C. Sherriff. I can recommend it to anyone who feels they would like a flavour of the types of situations involved in WW1, and the possible personalities of individual soldiers, whether officers or "men". My 3 friends who have not researched their family trees did not particularly see the point of the play, but I came out in tears.

Love to all as we remember our families and those of others who served and died.

Margaret

Dear all

Today I have found another WW1 casualty to add to the list:

Private Frank Wainwright of Glossop, Derbyshire, 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, died Belgium 20 October 1914, leaving his wife Mary (Polly) Holland, my great aunt.

Best wishes

Margaret

George Page,age 20 died May 1915 Ypres.

n

Thought I would share this.

The Wind on the Downs

I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go;
How should you leave me, having loved me so?

We walked along the tow-path, you and I,
Beside the sluggish-moving, still canal;
It seemed impossible that you should die;
I think of you the same and always shall.
We thought of many things and spoke of few,
And life lay all uncertainly before,
And now I walk alone and think of you,
And wonder what new kingdoms you explore.
Over the railway line, across the grass,
While up above the golden wings are spread,
Flying, ever flying overhead,
Here still I see your khaki figure pass,
And when I leave the meadow, almost wait
That you should open first the wooden gate.
Marian Allen

Sue xx

What a very moving thread.
God Bless them all.
Tina xx

For all of those who lost their lives in "The Forgotton War" the Korean war.
Rest in Peace. Lou Lou

Private Alec Griffiths Beat KIA 12 Bn Sherwood Foresters age 19 Mon 26 June 1916.

Private Ronald Griffiths Beat KIA 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters died age 20 Tuesday 8 Oct 1918.

Alfred Cecil Heald die 1917 in UK as result of gas inhalation in trenches.

Pilot Officer Ronald Arthur Winn 78 Sqn RAFVR died age 19 Tues 24 Aug 1943 - no known resting place.

Private Frederick Alec Beat KIA 2nd Bn Lincs Regt died age 26 Thursday 20 July 1944

'Who Are These Men?'

Who are these men who march so proud, Who quietly weep, eyes closed, head bowed? These are men, who once were boys, Who missed out on youth and all it's joys. Who are these men with aged faces? Who silently count the empty spaces? These are the men who gave their all, Who fought for their country for freedom for all? Who are these men with sorrowful look? Who can still remember the lives that were took?These are the men, who saw young men die,The price of peace is always high.Who are these men who in the midst of pain,Whispered comfort to those they would not see again?These are the men, whose hands held tomorrow,Who brought back our future with blood tears and sorrow?Who are these men who promise to keep,Alive in their hearts the ones God holds asleep?These are the men to whom I promise again:'Veterans', my friends, I will remember them!

Wear your poppy with pride and remember the dead, but don't forget the living

For all the brave Irish men who joined the British army to fight in both world wars so that we could enjoy freedom today. May they be remembered, as they are so often forgotten in their own country.

remembering today and everyday

Henry "Harry" Charles Gannaway died july 1917 in Richmond from his wounds aged 32

and his brothers who lived but suffered:

Frank Reginald Gannaway and Sydney Gannaway

May you all rest in peace now and forever more.

My mothers 1st Husband Rex Lake killed in action, 7th Feb 1943 RIP

Remembering Private Angel, my dad's best pal killed in Fampoux northern France on the 29th May 1940, Royal Wiltshire Regiment...my dear old dad never forgot you and I felt I knew you too. Rest in peace and remembering all those thousands killed in action.
Lest we forget.

Please support The Royal British Legion and buy your poppy.

Remembering those in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles 1914-1918 who fought alongside my Grandpa but didn't survive along with him.

Suemaid,

That could have been said by my great aunt that I never knew, or any number of women married to WW1 heros.

Love you for posting it

Margaret

I hope we all stood proud with poppies in hand this morning at 11 a.m. I know it isn't the 11th November yet (Tuesday), but I did it with tears in my eyes. Bet everyone else did too.

Love to you all, and with love for your relatives who died.

Margaret