Lest We Forget

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, 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 condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

they will be remembered.

My families rememberance,

My Grandad, Fred Edwards (Royal Welch Fusiliers) landed on day 3 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli.
100 yards off the beach and heading up to the hills his CO took a direct hit from the Turkish artillary placed above them, grandad was standing right next to him and he received his commanding officer as shrapnel, bits of the man riddled my grandads body.

there he lay all but dead when the story of the six's happened.

six hours later a neighbour (lived 3 doors down in Flint) stepped on Fred's body and Fred gave out a whimper whereupon he was move to a triage ship, they gave him six hours to live.
when six hours were up and he was still alive he was transported to Egypt where they gave him six days to live. latter he was shipped back to England whereupon the doctors gave him no more than six months considering his state.

he died aged 86, and had 15 children with my grandma, Nora.

he was mayor of Flintshire 6 times and smoked 40 woodbine a day and drank never less than 4 pints a day (often more)

he was a kind and wise man and gave much time to my uncle Jeff who came back from Bomber command in WW2 a very disturbed young man (life long alcoholic)

for a taste of the rubbish Fred and many like him went through;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_at_Suvla_Bay

but for a more general read and for a better understanding of the horrors of WW1 i couldn't recommend enough;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good-Bye_to_All_That

speed

Good post Speed, thanks for sharing it.

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."
— Atatürk 1934

I saw this on Armistice day, and thought it was quite amusing, not that I'm trying to belittle the sacrifice made by so many.

If WW1 was a pub fight:

Germany, Austria and Italy are standing together in the middle of a pub when Serbia bumps into Austria and spills Austria’s pint.
Austria demands Serbia buy it a complete new suit because there are splashes on its trouser leg.
Germany expresses its support for Austria’s point of view.
Britain recommends that everyone calm down a bit.
Serbia points out that it can’t afford a whole suit, but offers to pay for the cleaning of Austria’s trousers.
Russia and Serbia look at Austria.
Austria asks Serbia who it’s looking at.
Russia suggests that Austria should leave its little brother alone.
Austria inquires as to whose army will assist Russia in compelling it to do so.
Germany appeals to Britain that France has been looking at it, and that this is sufficiently out of order that Britain should not intervene.
Britain replies that France can look at who it wants to, that Britain is looking at Germany too, and what is Germany going to do about it?
Germany tells Russia to stop looking at Austria, or Germany will render Russia incapable of such action.
Britain and France ask Germany whether it’s looking at Belgium.
Turkey and Germany go off into a corner and whisper. When they come back, Turkey makes a show of not looking at anyone.
Germany rolls up its sleeves, looks at France, and punches Belgium.
France and Britain punch Germany. Austria punches Russia. Germany punches Britain and France with one hand and Russia with the other.
Russia throws a punch at Germany, but misses and nearly falls over. Japan calls over from the other side of the room that it’s on Britain’s side, but stays there. Italy surprises everyone by punching Austria.
Australia punches Turkey, and gets punched back. There are no hard feelings because Britain made Australia do it.
France gets thrown through a plate glass window, but gets back up and carries on fighting. Russia gets thrown through another one, gets knocked out, suffers brain damage, and wakes up with a complete personality change.
Italy throws a punch at Austria and misses, but Austria falls over anyway. Italy raises both fists in the air and runs round the room chanting.
America waits till Germany is about to fall over from sustained punching from Britain and France, then walks over and smashes it with a barstool, then pretends it won the fight all by itself.
By now all the chairs are broken and the big mirror over the bar is shattered. Britain, France and America agree that Germany threw the first punch, so the whole thing is Germany’s fault . While Germany is still unconscious, they go through its pockets, steal its wallet, and buy drinks for all their friends.

Haha frostay GG :p, check out my sign lol..