If you are not moved by walking the grounds around Vimy then I feel sorry for you. Quite possibly one of the most impactful places I’ve visited on Earth. The terror the men must have felt being thrust into that situation is unimaginable. Their suffering is our freedom. I will not forget.
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Shameless self promotion
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Saw a piece on the news over the weekend about the St Symphorien war cemetery just outside Mons. I don't recall hearing about this one in particular before and it is not overly large (less than 500 graves). What is unique about it is it contains graves of both German and Commonwealth soldiers, and contains the graves of both the first and last Commonwealth soldier to die in the war. The last soldier to lose their life was a Canadian.
To me the fact the first and last soldier to die are both buried here and died so close together illustrates the futility of this war. Four years and millions of lives and the thing started and ended practically in the same place.
I think I might have visited that cemetery in 2012, we spent the last night of our battlefield tour in Caen so it may have been one of our last stops. The entrance looks familiar.
I have a great grandfather who fought on Vimy Ridge and survived. Not all were so fortunate. I'll definitely be keeping our service men and women, past and present, in my thoughts over the next few days.
I would love to visit some of these historic sites one day.
I am looking forward to this because I remember the day I was called to the bar as one of pride and accomplishment for me, but also for my friends and family who all contributed to that moment. I was in my mid 20's just as many of these men were. Instead of celebrating with drinks and cake at the new firm like I did, they were instead in an unthinkable nightmare and never returned.
I understand that family members of at least 6 of the students will be in attendance. I hope they leave filled with that pride and accomplishment that their family never got to experience a century ago together with the knowledge that those of us who have the privilege to practice today genuinely appreciate the privilege that it is - and the sacrifices that were made by others to make it possible.
I have mentioned before that I have the interesting experience of my great-grandfather's time in the war (with much artistic license) being the basis of the lead character in the film Passchendaele. This opening scene is expressly based on one of the only experiences he apparently ever spoke about. It haunted him literally to the day he died:
It is difficult to even attempt to comprehend what people went through to provide us the comfortable and free existence we enjoy - and all too often take for granted. It really is our duty to never forget.
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Just an FYI the National Geographic Channel is running a marathon of the outstanding Apocalypse series which documents WW2 from the rise of facism to the post war year trials.
Meanwhile the History Channel is playing its usual crap (Sadly I might cancel the History Channel which is worthless and subscribe to Smithsonian.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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Just an FYI the National Geographic Channel is running a marathon of the outstanding Apocalypse series which documents WW2 from the rise of facism to the post war year trials.
Meanwhile the History Channel is playing its usual crap (Sadly I might cancel the History Channel which is worthless and subscribe to Smithsonian.
That Apocalypse series is really something, I’ve seen it before. Very raw. Also my favourite mini series Band of Brothers will be running on HBO on Sunday.
Nov 11, 2018, 100 Years of Remembrance
