Today at the Cenotaph

Some people wish to remember and other people wish to forget. Both are perfectly understandable. I'm glad the police kept the hooligans away from the commemoration.

All past Prime Ministers, Dillonsgranma
However long or short their tenure!

I thought it was a joke that Liz Truss was there ! You would think she would want to slink off and hide in a hole somewhere!

Did anyone notice the monument to the Women of WW11.? Just up from the Cenotaph.
The sculptor was John Mills. It is very beautiful and very rarely mentioned .

Did any one watch Dan Cruickshank's Monuments of Remembrance on BBC 4 last night?
Highly recommended!

Dan Cruickshank reveals the extraordinary story behind the design and building of iconic First World War memorials and explores the idea behind the creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

That is heartening, ixion.
Such a caring thing to do. I hope they find out Jack's family.

What a touching post - and an immaculate resting place. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could find Jack’s family?

I’m proud that in the UK also the graves of people of all nationalities, enemy or friend, who lost their lives in or as a result of the World Wars are maintained with care and respect. It’s humbling.

This post appeared (with accompanying photo) on a FB group
I belong to.
One of the many good things to come out of online Family History sites and the platform to share!

Hello,
We are from the Netherlands and adopted the graves of the 102 sqdn of a Halifax JD149 that came down on may 28 1943 at Hippolytushoef.
One of the crew members was a Sergeant Jack Louis Stanley Lowings. He was living in your area.
Born on July 9 1922. His parents Henry Joseph Lowings and Rosa Elisabeth Meadows.
Husband of Ida Annie Camp ( 1919-2000) who is later married to Leonard Arthur Ward. She lived at 2a Frasier road Leyton, London E17
We found this info on Ancestry but does not know if it is correct. There is a brother and sister of Jack who wrote in the days of the war a letter to the RAF. To ask where her brother was buried, and that she was moving to Canada.
We want to know who Jack was and to see a face with the name. To let the family know that we won’t forget what he does. Lest we forget.

halfpint1

Mamie

Yesterday I went to the Armistice service in our churchyard in Normandy. In a very moving ceremony I joined the people of our village to remember the French dead and to pay my respects to the British typhoon pilot who died here in 1944 and has a beautifully kept memorial.
I watched the British ceremony today. Both ceremonies were deeply poignant.

Always such solemn respect shown in my little corner of France as well.
Once out walking I came across a small memorial to a British Bomber crew that had been shot down and even that had a fading wreath on it

Thank you.

We do realise and respect the way the French people honour those who gave their lives for their freedom and the freedom of all of us.

My father was RN and in both WW1 and WW2. He wouldn't talk about it to me.

He did, however, lay a wreath in remembrance of fallen comrades on Remembrance Sundays as a matter of respect.

My dad was a Royal Marine in ww2, my grandfathers both soldiers in ww1. Remembrance Sunday was always marked in our house. Dad loved the band of the Royal Marines. He played an LP of their music often. My husband was a historian and lover of tradition. We often spent Remembrance weekend in London. Listening to Nimrod (one of his favourite pieces) was particularly moving as I watched this morning’s service

My bil was a pilot in the RAF and he was sadly killed whilst flying aged 26 this was in the 1970s.

Mamie

Yesterday I went to the Armistice service in our churchyard in Normandy. In a very moving ceremony I joined the people of our village to remember the French dead and to pay my respects to the British typhoon pilot who died here in 1944 and has a beautifully kept memorial.
I watched the British ceremony today. Both ceremonies were deeply poignant.

Always such solemn respect shown in my little corner of France as well.
Once out walking I came across a small memorial to a British Bomber crew that had been shot down and even that had a fading wreath on it

vampirequeen

We never watch it or attend any remembrance services. My DH is still suffering from his experiences in the Gulf War and it all becomes too much for him. He hasn't told me much but even the bits he has told me are too horrific to post on here.

I feel for you vampire queen and your DH and understand completely.My late father was in the Navy aged 20 on landing craft at D-day with Canadian troops. He would never march or go to services, or even talk about it.
We only found out during the Falklands War and I would not repeat what he told us.
I did know someone whose husband was in the Gulf War and he ended up having to have help.
One of my grandads had been at Gallipoli and he had terrible nightmares when ever it thundered or there was lightening,
though he did march.
My paternal grandad had been in Iraq/Mesepotamia and he told about seeing Babylon etc.and would just say atrocities and shake his head.He like his son would never march.

Urmstongran

With respect, I don’t think we the public ‘enjoy’ it quite as such vampireequeen I’m saddened you see it that way. It’s the only way we can, in sorrow and gratitude, pay our respects. Wearing our poppies with pride and thanks for all the brave servicemen and women is a part of that.

I agree, Urmstongran

I'm truly sorry for what your DH is suffering vampirequeen and have my own thoughts about the Gulf War too.

But enjoyment is not a term I'd use - it is remembrance, and a fervent prayer for peace and hope together with a thought-provoking sermon.
I didn't see the ceremony today as we were at our own service here and certainly wouldn't say we enjoyed it. It was solemn, thought-provoking and the names of all the fallen were read out, including those in the Gulf War. We do not forget them.

Donating money for a poppy means the money will help ex-service personnel in need and help is available from many organisations, not just the RBL, should your DH need it.

Our friend was at the Cenotaph today with SSAFA, another worthwhile organisation which offers help.

This year’s Festival of Remembrance was one to remember for us.

My DGD teaches the girl who carried the book of remembrance. What an amazing experience for the family.

I simply cannot get through ‘Sunset’ without grabbing tissues and the boy from Britain’s Got Talent who sang the Pié Jesu was amazing.

Like others I ‘enjoy’ watching the ceremony because I feel pride and gratitude vampirequeen.

My grandfather was very badly wounded in WW1 and bore such hatred towards Haig that he wouldn’t wear a poppy (originally sold in aid of the Earl Haig Fund). My father was unable to serve in WW2 as he was blind.

I have other service connections about which I cannot speak.

maytime2

BBC commenter said that no representative from Kenya was present at the wreath laying.

That's what I heard and posted.
🤷‍♀️

maddyone

The whole service was very moving. The music was fantastic as it was last night at the Festival of Remembrance.

I had a lump in my throat watching last night, what a fantastic
Festival it was.
Glad the service at the Cenotaph went off well this morning, and the music and formation marching as the OP says are always amazing.

Harry chose not to be there

BBC commenter said that no representative from Kenya was present at the wreath laying.

the commentator on sky news also mentioned Kenya's wreath.

ixion

Kenya not attending for the wreath laying, apparently.
(Liz Truss and co were there).

what do you mean ?
the Kenya representative laid a wreath, i watched him, he was at the end of a commonwealth group.

I think that there could have been a compromise for Prince Harry on these occasions, but the constant trashing of the RF, shameful treatment of our dying late Queen causing her much anguish, and even the prospect of another book written by the Sussex's spokesperson, due for release at the end of this month, apparently full of more scandalous revelations, Prince William in the firing line - AGAIN, that any hope of harmonious relations with Harry are sadly out of the question. Why doesn't he put a stop to all this grief, haven't they said enough? Its all very sad and I think the King is feeling very weighed down with it all.

I was thinking the same as you Devorgilla. Particularly last night at the Festival of Remembrance. He was hugely and I think genuinely supportive of the Invicta Games.
Vampirequeen I feel so sorry for your husband, who has bravely served his country and is now feeling the cost. I was a military wife for most of my married life (husband died young after leaving the Service) and our sons were both in the military too and saw active service. I enjoy the pride I feel on such military occasions and I think urmstongran has put that feeling into words far better than I can. Please believe that it isn't a frivolous enjoyment - the military bands evoke great emotion. It's just that for the majority of us we are fortunate that that emotion is positive. I do feel for your DH and the many others who must experience something similar.