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Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier https://mail.paphospeople.com/ppforum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35334 |
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Author: | M.A.D [ Mon Nov 02, 2020 10:15 am ] |
Post subject: | Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
At the weekend, I was asked by the young son of a Cypriot friend why I was wearing a poppy. I explained what it was all about but it made me think….how many others (especially the Millennials) don’t know why we were a poppy….so here you go On November 7th, 1920, in strictest secrecy, four unidentified British bodies were exhumed from temporary battlefield cemeteries at Ypres, Arras, the Asine and the Somme. None of the soldiers who did the digging were told why. The bodies were taken by field ambulance to GHQ at St-Pol-Sur-Ter Noise. Once there, the bodies were draped with the union flag. Sentries were posted and Brigadier-General Wyatt and a Colonel Gell selected one body at random. The other three were reburied. A French Honour Guard was selected and stood by the coffin overnight of the chosen soldier overnight. On the morning of the 8th November, a specially designed coffin made of oak from the grounds of Hampton Court arrived and the Unknown Warrior was placed inside. On top was placed a crusaders sword and a shield on which was inscribed: "A British Warrior who fell in the GREAT WAR 1914-1918 for King and Country". On the 9th of November, the Unknown Warrior was taken by horse-drawn carriage through Guards of Honour and the sound of tolling bells and bugle calls to the quayside. There, he was saluted by Marechal Foche and loaded onto HMS Vernon bound for Dover. The coffin stood on the deck covered in wreaths, surrounded by the French Honour Guard. Upon arrival at Dover, the Unknown Warrior was met with a nineteen gun salute - something that was normally only reserved for Field Marshals. A special train had been arranged and he was then conveyed to Victoria Station, London. He remained there overnight, and, on the morning of the 11th of November, he was finally taken to Westminster Abbey. The idea of the unknown warrior was thought of by a Padre called David Railton who had served on the front line during the Great War the union flag he had used as an altar cloth whilst at the front, was the one that had been draped over the coffin. It was his intention that all of the relatives of the 517,773 combatants whose bodies had not been identified could believe that the Unknown Warrior could very well be their lost husband, father, brother or son... THIS IS THE REASON WE WEAR POPPIES We do not glorify war. (as many people think) We remember - with humility - the great and the ultimate sacrifices that were made, not just in this war, but in every war and conflict where our service personnel have fought - to ensure the liberty and freedoms that we now take for granted. Every year, on the 11th of November, we remember the Unknown Warrior. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them. Attachment: unknown soldier.jpg
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Author: | beverley [ Mon Nov 02, 2020 6:17 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
Thank you for that tear jerker Dave. I thought it was to represent the fallen where the fields were covered in poppies after the fighting ceased. War really is a terrible thing. |
Author: | M.A.D [ Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:15 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
I thought this was exceptional speakers on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfP0NiRQtKk |
Author: | lowvoltage [ Mon Nov 02, 2020 10:09 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
Well done Dave |
Author: | M.A.D [ Tue Nov 03, 2020 10:23 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
Attachment: 121057158_2670954343117506_7417885942287802008_n.jpg |
Author: | migmogs [ Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:49 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
Thank you for your very descriptive post |
Author: | migmogs [ Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:50 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
And yes ...the ultimate insult to our homeless veterans ! |
Author: | M.A.D [ Fri Nov 06, 2020 6:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
This is a fitting tribute to the Unknown Warrior. 'Abide with Me’ – a hymn sung at the burial in 1920, and rerecorded by the Military Wives Choirs……. Watch out for dust in the air when you watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J-oP1esgt4 |
Author: | lowvoltage [ Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:36 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
Dave - Remarkable and Moving, Thank you |
Author: | M.A.D [ Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:16 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
The Cameron Highlanders in 1914 Just before the start of WW1 then in 1918 those that were left Attachment: 124040218_10159302175502174_4593086601043195668_n.jpg They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. |
Author: | lowvoltage [ Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:28 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Why we wear Poppies / The Unknown Soldier |
I have never seen it portrayed like this before, a very sad photograph. Looking at the top picture I cannot count how many men there are in the photograph, but to give you an idea of how many men were lost, in those days most Infantry Regiments would have approximately 700 - 1000 men. Looking at the bottom photograph there are only 28 remaining, it makes you realise the sacrifices those brave men gave for their country to preserve our way of life. |
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