Somme

Kinoulton · Post by **Kinoulton** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:42 am

I've been watching the TV coverage this morning.

Staggering.

Trust you'll all spare a thought.

no.1ellisfan · Post by **no.1ellisfan** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:59 pm

didn't see any of the tv coverage because of work but its nice to see that people are aware of what happened and are paying respect to those who were affected by it.

matt_j_12 · Post by **matt_j_12** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:29 pm

What exactly is it, i know theirs a song called that by a german metal band.......that might be Sonne actually...

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:32 pm

Can I just check .... matt, your post was a joke, wasn't it ????

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:37 pm

For the benefit of those who don't know ..... 1st July 1916 was the bloodiest day in the Britsh Army's history. 58,000 casualties in one day.

mrsmoody · Post by **mrsmoody** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:47 pm

ah right i see now... didnt enjoy history and gave it up for gcse!

Rizzo · Post by **Rizzo** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:07 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwone/ ... omme.shtml

try looking at the above. I don't know how old you are, but young men of 16 and 17 gave their lives in this carnage, mowed down by fire, fighting for the freedom of people today. The total casualties suffered on both sides total around a million. the bloodiest, most wasteful battle in the First World War....and one that should never be forgotten.

To be honest, I'm quite shocked at people claiming not to know what the Somme is or what it means. You may not be interested in "history" but no one should forget the futility of war, the needless waste of young lives and the sacrifices made by so many young men (and women). Surely you must have covered the First World War in history? I know my 15-year-old has.

You can view the Imperial War Museum's online exhibition
here http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00o

420,000 British lives lost (not to mention the 1000s more Allied forces, French, Australian, Canadian) to gain 5 miles land advance. And the saddest thing to me is those who were shot for "desertion" etc whilst suffering from shell-shock and what we now call post traumatic stress disorder, some as young as 16.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

(In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army )

RoyalBlueStuey · Post by **RoyalBlueStuey** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:03 am

This is a very useful site if you are interested in this

http://www.cwgc.org/

You can search for your family and it'll tell you exactly where their memorial is. We will remember them.

Kinoulton · Post by **Kinoulton** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:19 am

Gulp. That sent a bit of shudder down me. I don't have a very common name, yet a dozen died in the First World War.

RoyalBlueStuey · Post by **RoyalBlueStuey** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:27 am

Anyone you know about Kin? I tracked down my great-grandfather. Actually died just before the Somme...I daresay no-one will have ever been out to see it.

I think I will go sometime.

In other news I think the first ever veteran's day was criminally under-reported.

http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/

Look out for the badge...just a nod or a thank you will do it.

Kinoulton · Post by **Kinoulton** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:37 am

I need to get out might family tree and cross-check.

I'm aware that one of my namesakes died at sea and he would appear to be on that list.

My dad spent nearly all of the Second World War on the Faroe Isles making sure the Germans didn't pinch it as a strategic landing point. They shot down a total of one German plane and managed to rescue the crew, unharmed!