what did you do on rememberance Sunday

[Bill Tomlinson]

To day my wife and I attended the rememberance day parade in held in our local market place.I am not a military person unless you count my Boy Scout service,but we felt justifiably proud to day,as our Daughter in law took the salute and our son marched by at the head of his troops(army cadets) my Grand Daughter complete with Great War Medals was proudly parading with the Brownies. Afterwards we were invited to the Mayors parlour for refreshments, after that a couple of beers(Black sheep) and a late lunch in the Pub it had be a good day and we where proud parents.

We arrived home put on the tele and the news from Iraq came on the death of four Soldiers and the injury to there others brought home to us what to day is for and our sympathy and condolances go out to the people involved and may this conflict come to an end soon

[jay dubaya]

A crowd of 200+ had already gathered by 10:15 at the War Memorial, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, this morning, by the time my daughter marched past with the local branch of Brownies the crowd had grown to around 500. I didn't expect a crowd of such proportions. My son spent the duration on my aching shoulders and watched in great glee his sister marching with the well turned out B Coy. 14th Signal Regt. and T.A. During the service I remembered my own personal losses and was furthermore moved to tears by the sounding of 'The Last Post' hitting those deep nerves. This was my first attendance at a Memorial Service and the first time that I had heard 'The Last Post' (live, that is of course!) It was a very special few moments for us and moments that I will indeed wish to repeat in future years. The kids know all about their Great Grandfathers, Great Uncles, Grandfathers and Uncles, "we will not forget them" the kids say when I've got their photos all over the table

Since the day has gone on, I have decided that I will endevour to photograph and list all names on all war memorials within my county before the scrapmen, ebay or just the hole in the ground swallow them up forever. I Know the where abouts of around 40ish off-hand, so any pointers in the right direction will be much appreciated, also any one needing photos then I am more than happy to oblige, cheers, Jon

[clive_hughes]

Hi, Bill

Thoughts on how I spent Remembrance Day.

Today (yesterday, by now) I had to preside over a local 10.45am Remembrance service at the village war memorial & in Church afterwards. I spent some time last night and early this morning designing, printing, folding & stapling 40+ extra service leaflets, in case. This little community event attracted 140 of all ages, an increase of about 15 on last year (though the weather was kind, which helps). I hope I pitched my message right.

We no longer have a British Legion branch here, they were getting too old and too few for it to meaningfully continue, and their standard was hung up after Remembrance 2004. But the former members still turned out together with the Brownies, Cubs, and Guides. One only had WW2 medals. My late father earned 5 with the Navy in WW2; but as he never chose to wear them I have doubts about making them up into a bar to wear myself for these occasions. My own TAVR service in the 1970s was too short for medals, and though I suppose I could wear a regimental blazer badge on my scarf I somehow back off from doing so at present.

Later in the afternoon I had likewise to facilitate a brief wreath-laying service at a memorial in a nearby church to a local WW2 winner of the VC. Small, select gathering of his family (several generations), local mayor, Services rep. and several ex-servicemen, followed by tea at the family home nearby.

Home again for a brief nap (not actually a habit of mine: just felt tired) and main meal; and then out once more tonight to see a recently bereaved family. Home at 9.30pm. Didn't get to see the main Remembrance on TV, though my daughter went along to Whitehall (surprised me by doing so). Checked out the Forum, then to bed...

LST_164

[bruce]

Our service was at 10am...so as to be at the Lych Gate memorial for the Last Post at 11.

Then on to the Legion for coffee and bisacuits.

Half term was spent with friends re-tracing the entries in the 1918 diary of Thomas Yarker. We had luch with his daughter (yes...daughter....she is 94) and then spent an hour with her, showing her the video we had made of all the places mentioned in his diary, working backwards from his headstone in Awoint Cem.

She watched, tears running down her cheeks, followed by the same reaction from the four of us who had made the film.

A memorable Remembrance Sunday.

Bruce