The First World War

I was reading in the paper today that there are plans to give the last World War I veteran a full state funeral lying in State, St.Pauls, Her Maj and our great leader etc... the full works along with a national day of remembrance and thanksgiving for the passing of the last of a generation.

Apparently there are only a handful of British/Common Wealth veterans left, all of them well over 100 years of age. When I was young every town in Northern Ireland had a few such veterans (mainly members of the 36th Ulster Division and all of them heroes of The Somme). As a Scout I was usually involved in laying the wreath at the town's Cenotaph for a good few years and I remember once, the weather was so bad, the wreath laying had to take place under the cover of the British Legion. One old Soldier caught my eye standing alone, tears running down his cheeks he was well into his eighties and probably not much longer for the world to be honest, it was a very emotional moment for me to stand there in his presence, something I've never forgotten.

To this day the 1st of July is still marked to remember all those of the 36th Ulster Division who fought and died at The Battle of The Somme.

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them.

Category:

• Personal
• Northern+Ireland
• Remembrance