General Chat

A little nudge as it was about to fall off the end! Suex

I have been brought up as a person who follows a 'religion' but have been shocked by how many wars are caused by religious conflicts - Catholic v Protestant - Muslem v Christian - Jewish v Christian etc...etc and if you think about it all these religions believe in the same God who told us 'Thou shalt not kill'

She, that is a lovely poem, thank you for posting it. Thanks to taking an interest in family history, Remembrance Day was so much more poignant for me this year because I knew the names and relationship of two people whose lives were lost in WW1 & 2. I hope lots of people read this. Much love, Mandy x

I very recently found that my great grandmothers nephew, who died in 1896, was a soldier in the Royal Horse Artillary. His son, born 1890, was brought up to be in the army. In 1891 he was in the Royal Artillary Academy, in those days described as The the Royal Artillary Asylum. He was a schoolboy. In 1915 I found his death on the Commonweath War Graves site. That stated he was married. I checked for the marriage, he had been married 2 months. I wondered if she was pregnant, yes she was, in the last quarter of 1915 I found a birth of his daughter. I know this must have happened to countless women, but it made me cry. Until 2 weeks ago I didnt know this man existed, now I cry at the mention of his name. Margaret

...and peace starts with me ... except - when I forget and feel irrritated / cross / ratty / wanting to argue or fight back ... Joy ...................... Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, To take each moment and live each moment in peace, eternally. Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.

Dave - exactly - it will never end as long as people exist -

What a thought provoking poem She, Why....we can only but ask... Elaine x

My daddy went away one day To win the war he said My mummy cried cos we were small And she felt she was all alone She waved him off and dried her tears Then cuddled us real tight ‘your daddy is our hero brave We’ll pray for him each night’ Each night before we went to sleep We prayed for daddy dear ‘Dear God please keep him safe and well And bring him back from Hell’ Mummy held her breath each day When she saw the post approach And when he said ‘Good Morning Lass’ As he passed her in the street She smiled and said ‘the same to you’ And thanked the Lord out loud One day he stopped and held her arm As he handed her a letter The neighbours ran out to the street As they heard my Mummy cry They saw her fall onto her knees As if she had been shot They picked her up and carried her To Grandma’s house nearby A neighbour ran into the school To take me home to Mummy She grasped my hands and smiled at me And gently kissed my brow ‘You must be strong and brave my lad Your Mummy needs you now’ My Mummy lay on Grandma’s bed Her eyes were red and swollen My baby sister was sound asleep Her face so round and shiny Mummy sobbed and held my hand And tried to say some words They tumbled out and I understood That my Daddy now was dead I’m standing here aged 90 years In front of rows of white Pure crosses draped in blood red blooms To remind us of their plight My Great Grandson, who bears my daddy’s name Turns and asks with tearful eye ‘Dear Pops – who’s to blame?’ I have no answers Only a question If that was the war to end all wars Why does the bloodshed continue? © Sheila M Anderson-Wray 2004

Imagine if you can - its 1914 - a young mother gets the dreaded letter telling her that her husband has been killed in action - her 5 year old son had to become the man of the house . 85 years later he visits the war grave where his father lies in France - he is an old soldier himself, his son served his country as did his grandson - who lost his life in conflict - he is with his great grandson - both fatherless through war - they share a bond - see below