Having a great grandad who suffered terribly from the effects of mustard gas and my own grandad who fought at el alamein with the eighth army I will never forget the sacrifice the older generation made for us
Having a great grandad who suffered terribly from the effects of mustard gas and my own grandad who fought at el alamein with the eighth army I will never forget the sacrifice the older generation made for us
Sadly I never knew my one Grandad as he passed away during the sixties. I know from my Dad that he was one of eight and one brother lost his life on the Somme. Tomorrow will be a chance to pay our respects to him too and let him know in our own way how immensely proud and grateful we are.
Just listened to Edward dwyer talking and singing were here because we're here . just Google it it's on you tube a voice from the great war who won the VC but was killed on the 3rd of September 1916 it puts a tear in your eye
I have a vague recollection of my maternal grandfather. He seemed a kindly sort albeit a bit irritable. Was into repairing old watches something a lot of the oldies did back in the day. I found out much later, after his passing, that he had fought at the Battle of Jutland whose ship was hit with many hands lost at sea. He survived in the sea for over 5 hours clinging to driftwood and was eventually picked up by a passing destroyer.
We had a couple of nights in Krakow at the end of last month. The objective was to visit the Auschwitz camps. (Albeit the old town of Krakow was interesting)
Very difficult to find the words to describe it. Absolutely chilling, and whilst my generation were well aware of the history, I was unprepared for the horror.
We must never forget what went on and remember the immense debt of gratitude owed to all those who gave up their lives.
Not everyone’s cup of tea I’m sure, but for our part we’re pleased to have undertaken the visit.
I went to Dachua, but my wife didn't want to to go, and it was a horrible from seeing the gates "work will set you free" until I left.
It was very upsetting and only matched by the visit to Hiroshima and seeing the after effects of the atom bomb at the Peace museum. Little children's bikes whose tyres had just melted away, made you realise what must happened to the poor little uns riding them.
I went to Dachau BB when I was in Munich. It's an interesting albeit difficult experience for sure. I went to one worse than that tbh on the German Austrian border - Mauthausen. Unlike Dachau which has had modifications for visitors and has a degree of modernity about it , Mauthausen is pretty much as it was. It's as if they locked the gates and time has stood still. Very eery and atmospheric and the old cliche is true that there are no birds singing.
Interesting comments about Hiroshima. My Dad's mate was in Burma fighting the Japs. He always said they'd still be fighting if America hadn't of dropped the bomb given Japan's refusal to end the war despite having lost it.