On this day. · 10:16am Aug 4th, 2014
On this day one hundred years ago, my country found itself at war. All across Europe, nations took up arms against each other as alliances dragged nation after nation into the fray. Unlike previous conflicts though, this war was not greeted with fear. Instead, it carried the sense of a grand adventure, with all the excitement of a big football match. In a wave of patriotism, hundreds joined up to serve King and Country, along with their friends and colleagues. Friends from the pub joined together to serve with each other. This would be quick, short and probably a bit of fun. 'You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees' the German Kaiser said.
Six months later, the leaves had fallen and were rotten, and the ground was marred with shell holes. The men of the Pals Battalions were few in number, and everyone was stuck in a network of tunnels and trenches, unable to advance. They endured cold, damp, shells, poisonous gas, rats, lice, bad food and the ignorance and madness of their commanders. They endured far beyond what had been expected, knowing that eventually they too would hear the officer's whistle and climb 'over the top' to face the chatter of machine guns.
The Great War epitomises the madness of war, but it also shows us the courage of the common man. On both sides, the soldiers, many of them our age, or even younger, stayed at their posts, went over the top and never faltered. It is this courage that we ought to remember, not politics, not the insanity of it all and certainly not the commanders who I fervently hope must answer to a higher power. We should remember the common soldier, who was just doing his duty, so many of whom remain simply 'Known unto God'.
Yep, my country was involved in it as well.
Very nicely written. May they rest in peace.
2345201 As part of a nation wide event last night, my family turned out all the lights, leaving a lone candle burning from ten to eleven pm. There was a massive televised event in Westminster Abbey, where the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior rests as well. For an hour, most of Britain was in darkness. And best of all, it was a clear night, with the moon and stars out.
2345261 That sounds beautiful.