I don't wish this to come over as trite, this being a football website and all, but I just wanted to say this... I have been listening to all the build up to the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and am overawed by the modesty, quiet dignity and great humility that is shown by every old soldier despite the enormous bravery that each undoubtedly had and still has. It is a matter of great sadness for me that WW2 veterans are now beyond the age I recall WW1 veterans being when I was a child, and that their numbers are diminishing as the years progress. In an inexplicable way it was always something of a comfort to me as a youth that there seemed to be quiet, thoughtful yet strong former soldiers in nearly every walk of life: teachers, lollypop men, parish councillors, neighbours, churchwardens and congregation, shopkeepers, everywhere. Whilst we must be thankful that subsequent generations have not had to go through another world war of the like of 1914-18 or 1939-45, I cannot help feel that we've somehow lost something of value in the character of our people as a result. Others may understand this or not, but for me it is almost tangible, yet indefinable. None of us can ever truly understand what these great war veterans had to endure; ordinary men (and women) taken from ordinary life and thrust into a hell from which many would never return. How many of us in our comfortable lives, bickering like children over mundane things like the relative merits of certain footballers, can honestly say that they have the mettle to follow their example? I certainly can't. I am humbled and eternally grateful to these veterans and their fallen comrades.
I honestly think that being in the trenches in the middle of winter would have been hell on earth. Not that it would have been any better in the summer.
Thank you Uber. I've just listened to an interview with a former member of the Medical Corps who was involved in D-Day. A deeply religious man (not something that usually impresses me) and a conscientious objector, his courage was never in doubt. I had a lump in my throat. You are right. We are privileged not to have ever had to live through these horrific experiences, but we have lost something as a result.
Very well said, mate. As a Bomber Command researcher, I continue to hear stories from ex crew members, about their fellow crews and how in moments of complete utter confusion and distress, they displayed acts of bravery that are seldomed equalled. We salute them all.
just asked my 10 and 14 year old if they knew what d day was either history lessons are **** these days or I spent far too much time in the late seventies early eighties watching war movies on bbc 2 and reading commando
Bomber crews flying between 15 - 20,000 feet at temperatures as low as -40 degrees, rear gunners with no heating and ice frozen to their facial hair, guns frozen unable to fire, dark damp cramp quarters, dropping 10,000 feet and back up again, being shot at by enemy aircraft and flak units to and from the target, often flying back on crippled aircraft.......... Only to do it all again the next night. Courageous to say the least.
Great OP Uber. Made me reflect on the stories my Gramps use to tell me of going to war in France, North Africa and Burma (East Kent Regiment - 'The Buffs'). Stories of courage and horror that sometimes defy imagination....and how it's my duty to pass on these tales of bravery and sadness to my children, so that they can pass it down to other generations that come after them. Their sacrifice should never be forgotten.........
'Steady The Buffs!' My grandfather was in the East Kent Regiment as well Stainsey, but the war before. Though not sure why as he was born and bred in Clerkenwell/Islington.
Well said. I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with members of my T.A Regiment that fought during WW2. These men always say they felt that they were only doing a job but their humility make's them all the more inspiring. If we could bottle just an ounce of the courage these men have the world would be a better place. While I appreciate what Joey is doing when he talks about a band of brothers, speaking with the veterans really puts a perspective on it all. Another common theme that I have found is how many of them say they were motivated by keeping there mates in their regiment safe. I'm always humbled when in the presence of these men and as there numbers dwindle, I can't help but feel the world will be a poorer place without them.
That's a coincidence mate. The little bit I know about 'The Buffs' tells me the regiment had quite a history behind it. Same with my Grandad, born a raised in Iver, Bucks and before he got called up, I don't think he'd even ever visited Kent
I have been watching the BBC coverage of the 70th anniversary today and I'm really not ashamed to admit it bought a lump to my throat.
Marvelous story in The Times today. They recreated a big parachute jump as part of the events. One of the jumpers was a Scottish bloke, aged 89. He'd jumped there before - aged 19 on D-Day. He landed 30 ft from the Prince of Wales, jumped up, put his Paras beret on and saluted. Priceless. I was also delighted that my 14 year old daughter could tell me the story of Pegasus Bridge (taken and held by 400 men against a force of 12,000 Germans) which she had visited on a school trip. Perhaps there is hope.
That's a great story about the old Para . Also good that on some level it is still being taught in schools to the next generation. I feel as a parent of little boys that if it ever drops from the curriculum (and even if it doesn't tbh) it is my duty to educate my boys on what happened all those years ago in both World Wars. This way these heroes sacrifices will never be forgotten
Like it I was actually reading a bit about that in the paper earlier. I'd never heard of it. Good to know your hard earned wasn't wasted on that trip Stan! http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-d-day-veteran-pat-gillen-3651524
