In Flanders fields the poppies blow…

Image taken from p2p.biplin.com

Tomorrow is the 96th Anniversary of the end of the First World War and thousands of people across the country have already paid their respects through attending services and memorials on Remembrance Sunday. Being the Centenary, 100 years since the start of WWI, it feels even more poignant to remember those who gave their lives to protect the world that we live in today.

 

In 1918 on the 11th November, the eleventh month, an Armistice was signed between Britain and Germany, effectively ending the First World War with a ceasefire at eleven o’clock. It is hard to imagine the suffering of not only those who fought in the war, but the families who lost loved ones, often more than one. There are still people today who grieve the loss of the brave men and women who are fighting in conflicts abroad and they will certainly be in our thoughts tomorrow too. 

 

A Beautiful Remembrance Sunday service was held yesterday in Liverpool City Centre at the Cenotaph, with a parade of ex-servicemen marching and applauded by the crowd. It was wonderful to see so many people show their respects and gather together as a community to support each other in their loss and grief, whether personal or on a national scale. One of the most emotional and striking moments was the release of thousands of red poppies from St Georges Hall, cascading down over the crowd. They represented all the lives lost in World War One, which really put in to perspective the loss of life on such a large scale. It is no wonder we can often find it difficult to talk about death when generations before us lost so many people close to them.

 

Poppies released from St George's Hall

 

Many families will have been directly affected by the World Wars with some even having parents and grandparents who fought. My Great-Grandfather was born in 1899, and fought in the First World War. In May 1918, at the age of 19 he was captured at the 3rd Battle of Aisne, in France. Presumed missing or dead, his family were informed and I can only imagine the pain and heartache felt by his Mother in that moment. In this case, he managed to survive and made it home in 1919, but for many others this was not the outcome. As I have mentioned, for some this is their reality today, waiting for news and hoping this isn’t the day that their world falls apart. Please spare two minutes tomorrow and keep past and present families and servicemen and women in your thoughts.

 

My Great-Grandfather Stanley Charles Hayward 1899-1985

 

There is a short service at the Cenotaph in Liverpool City Centre tomorrow, November 11th at 11am for two minutes silence. We will never forget.

 

Image taken from liverpoolecho.co.uk

 

 

The Great War: On this day in 1914

Image taken from 67notout.com

2014 marks the one hundred year anniversary of the start of World War One. On August 4th 1914 at 11pm, after a failed ultimatum and the invasion of Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany, embarking on a bloody and horrific war that lasted four years. To mark this devastating moment, an artist has created a ‘lights out’ movement, to last for one hour between 10pm and 11pm this evening, where all lights except one or a candle are turned off to reflect on the events that unfolded a hundred years ago. You can find out more here http://www.1418now.org.uk/lights-out/.

 

Almost every living family today will have some form of connection with World War One, whether a grandfather or great-grandfather fought for their country, whatever the link it is still an emotional subject for many people. Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we mark the armistice at the end of the Great War with a moment of silence in remembrance of those who sacrificed themselves. This year however, there are a number of events taking place across the UK to encourage people to learn more about World War One and share their family histories.

 

Image from nl.wikipedia.org

Maybe this World War contributed to the taboo surrounding talking about death, dying and loss. With grief and bereavement on such a national scale, it no doubt had an effect on the way that people approached the subject. For many it is difficult to imagine so many loved ones leaving for war, the uncertainty and despair, waiting to hear from your father, brother, husband. However for others, this fear is still very real, with family members fighting in conflicts across the world on a daily basis. A phrase we utter is ‘lest we forget’ though in some ways it seems we already have.