Remembrance Day / Poppy Day

66Mustang

I thought if it’s OK I would make a thread to cover Remembrance Day / Poppy Day / Remembrance Sunday etc. and have a general discussion around it.

Royal British Legion is one of the few charities I support aside from Scope, Air Ambulance, maybe a couple of others. These are charities that I think in all honesty, in a fair society, should not need to exist in the first place. However given the society we do have... I am grateful they do exist.

I like hearing tales from people from a military background as I find them fascinating…don’t have many stories from my own family as the only family member who I knew that served didn’t really talk about it. Would have loved to have done something in that field myself, ideally a pilot, sadly my health put a stop to any ideas.

Anyway this thread is about Remembrance Day and for people to share any relevant thoughts they have.

Looking forward to hearing peoples contributions!

Hannah_Alumni

Thank you for starting this thread @66Mustang

I have family who served and I discovered more members through my ancestry research. It's a shame I can't know more about those family members who served in World War Two but I understand why there is a 100 year privacy law. 

66Mustang

Maybe in a couple of decades you will be able to go back and see @Hannah_Scope

Hannah_Alumni

There are a few records I can apply for through the records office which I may do. Some after World War Two which I am unsure if I could have access to. Would have to research more on that.

You've also reminded me that I need to pick up a Poppy.

vikingqueen

          My granddad served in the 1st world war and my father in the 2nd. I never knew my granddad sadly so I know little about his service, only he was one of the lucky ones that made it home.
 
My father on the other hand told me stories that he turned into a positive, some quite amusing. It wasn't until I was older I realised he shielded me from the truth and he couldn't tell me what he really saw, it was too horrific  a memory. Not many could tell the tale, and knowing now what I do I'm glad he never told me. 
        He took his memories to the grave, but he never forgot his comrades that didn't return home.

        I recently gave my grandson their medals in a frame so he will learn and never forget.

       To each and everyone that gave their life so I can live mine I thank you.

66Mustang

@vikingqueen they call it the dark sense of humour I think, a way of coping, family members in the police and NHS have it, I imagine it's the same for army folk just 10 times deeper