Don't hold with this touchy-feely gesture, it will not improve the lot of wounded ex servicemen, war widows etc. Seems a rather trendy vicar type idea. Better donating to Help for Heroes and visiting Ypres, Tyne Cot, Passchendaele, Hill 60, Mons etc Far more educative, useful and sobering.
I think it is more a mark of respect, remembrance It might help raise questions amongst kids when they ask "Dad, why are you doing that?" Not everyone can afford to donate/visit the sites Everyone can show this mark of respect & remembrance & every parent can educate their children about why in the hope that similar wars do not happen in future
I've just turned all lights off bar one, I didn't know about this until tonight, but hearing what was going on around the country has moved me. Particularly the one million British Legion members who are lighting a single candle at war memorials across the country. I'm not really into touchy feely either, but many gave up for their lives for the nation and deserve recognition. RIP.
I'm glad to see that many if not most of my neighbours including the pub at the end of my street has dimmed their lights. RIP all those who lost their lives.
All of us will have relatives that were lost in the First World War even if we're not aware of it but we have them to thank for a large part of how we are able to live our lives today. It's beyond comprehension what they must have faced and I for one feel that this is a fitting way to show a mark of respect and appreciation for what they gave up for their country.
Agree 100% Summer...good post. I was lucky to have known two of my great grandfathers. One of whom ironically was of German/Irish origin and as a 15 year old in the East Yorks Regiment lost an arm at Ypres. The other got the Military Medal for carrying an injured officer back from no man's land and under fire. Also, in the late 70s and early 80s I was involved in interviewing a number of guys who fought in that war for a radio documentary. Yet I still cannot begin to fathom such bravery, and the sheer horror of what it must have been like. I'd like to think I would have had their guts, but I cannot hand on heart say that I could have done what they and thousands of others did. Whilst I share Dr. Stan's distaste and anger for those who caused that war, I deeply deeply respect those who fought and died for all our sakes. We should never forget.
My grandad was East Yorkshire Regiment, at his funeral veterans turned out in force with flags and a bugle, rarely have I been so moved.
My great-great-grandfather died at the Battle of Arras, his brother followed a week later, very sad. RIP all those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
My husband's uncle was also in the E.Yorks. Regiment, killed in France and awarded a posthumous Military Medal. Was the eldest son of 13 children born to his grandparents in east Hull. My husband was in the E.Yorks.cadets for a year or so when he was at Riley High in the early 50's. The eldest daughter of the east Hull family was a nurse in France where she met a wounded Aussie soldier and went to Australia to marry him in 1919 so starting off the Australian side of his family which is now much larger than the UK side.
My grandad died last year, he fought in WW2. 5 or 6 veterans also came to his funeral too, flags and bugle in tow, and read the last rites for him.
i've always had a massive interest in the great war , but the more i read and learn the more i find it difficult to find a symmetry with the national / political tone . Men were tossed aside fighting for "king and country" in an imperialist war between moronic family members , Royal ****tardedness where people were forced together arm in arm to waste their lives in a pointless and useless war . There was good , the demise of Imperialism in Europe ,but there shouldn't have been a world war for that . Britain could no longer keep those pesky spear chuckers quiet after the war and what galls me is the sight of Princes Harry , William , the PM , Ed Moribund wringing their hands in pity , thanks and gratitude . They talk of learning lessons from WW1 , yet we have endured Palestinian turmoil , Iraq , Afghanistan and Pakistan wars where our nation is at the heart of the grief . I suppose the one positive i can take is that today its totally OK to flip the finger to the royal krauts and politicians , the Great War exposed their uselessness at an almighty cost
I'm pretty much in agreement with you, Whittler. However, you do realise you'll get this thread shut down for being 'political'......
We turned the lights off and lit candles too. The Great War was a tragedy, lions led by donkeys, the aftermath saw the void filled by communists and nazis resulting in civil wars throughout Europe and WW2. RIP to the brave tommies not the establishment represented in Westminster Abbey last night.
I love this. Mo Farah, born in Somalia yet he's considered British. Raheem Sterling, born in Jamaica yet he's considered British. The Royal Family, born and raised in Britain for over a hundred years yet they're still considered German.
