Title: Paying respects on way to LM
Post by: nickliv on April 12, 2008, 04:35:36 pm
In our rented house there is a display case in memory of a young guy who was killed in the first war. It has lots of his personal effects in it, his dog tags, his uniform buttons, cap badge, a photograph, and the letter from HM King George informing his parents that he had 'passed beyond the sight of men'.
Using the CGWC site I've found he's in the commonwealth cemetery in Fouquieres-les-Bethune, near Lens, quite close to Lille. It's not a massive way out of our way, so we'll be dropping in for an hour or so in June.
His parents lived in a house over the hill from here, but following the war they emigrated to Canada, and some of their personal effects were kepy by my landlords father, to be sent on when they were requested.
They were never requested, and I wonder how many visitors he's had in the last 90 years. (Well, it'll be 90 years to the day on Monday)
Using the CGWC site I've found he's in the commonwealth cemetery in Fouquieres-les-Bethune, near Lens, quite close to Lille. It's not a massive way out of our way, so we'll be dropping in for an hour or so in June.
His parents lived in a house over the hill from here, but following the war they emigrated to Canada, and some of their personal effects were kepy by my landlords father, to be sent on when they were requested.
They were never requested, and I wonder how many visitors he's had in the last 90 years. (Well, it'll be 90 years to the day on Monday)
Title: Re: Paying respects on way to LM
Post by: Leftie on April 13, 2008, 12:01:50 am
Having been to all 'The Beeches' and associated Cemetaries, I wouldn't mind a reflecting time in peace and senerity to remember how hard times were then and how they lived and died to protect what they believed in.
Title: Re: Paying respects on way to LM
Post by: geoffd on April 13, 2008, 10:27:51 am
Having been to all 'The Beeches' and associated Cemetaries, I wouldn't mind a reflecting time in peace and senerity to remember how hard times were then and how they lived and died to protect what they believed in.
Why did you go to see tree's? But I know what you mean, a few years back we were near Reims, and on a drive out found a little War Cemetary, they are kept so fantastically well! We stopped to pay our respects, and whilst walking round i suddenly realised it was the anniversary to the day of the death of most of the soldiers there, it was a very emotional moment for me and my wife as it was also our wedding anniversary.... I left a message in the visitors book at the cemetary.
