just returned home after attending a tombstone consecration. Noting unusual about the service, but the inscription on the gravestone itself aroused comment. It contained both the RAF number and the dates of service (1940-1946) of the person commemorated who, I was informed by his sister, had specifically asked for this to be arranged. I hope I was not the only one who admired and appreciated the gesture ! Ron
No I don't think you are the only one to appreciated this, I just wish more families had and will do this, so future generations can respect these men. As I tried to explain on this thread. Headstones F.E.P.O.W.s
RCG Thanks for the link which I explored with much interest. I agree 100% with your sentiments which were very well presented. Best regards Ron
My father's sentiments were quite different, he wasn't going to be defined by 5 yrs of his life..."and no bloody piper at my funeral either !" Entirely up to the person surely to state their wishes clearly beforehand and the family who have to carry them out. I did ask about the possibility of a memorial plaque at the Guards Chapel, that is one in the name of the battalion with which he saw action. It was the only bn in the regiment never to receive Colours, its battle honours having been added later to those of the 1st Bn. The standard response was that only memorials for individuals would be entertained, not one for a whole battalion. Shame really, it would've pleased him no end to see the 3rd recognised in the same place where the retired Colours are laid up.
Hi Ron, Here is my granda Albert's headstone, he was so proud of his army number and always recited it the family said that he must have his number on his headstone. Regards Mike.
* I have a lot of empathy with those Veterans who are proud of their service and wish to advertise it... Likewise, I have a lot of empathy with Diane's father who thought he was defined by more than 5 years war service and didn't want to advertise it. They are not different people. They do not necesarily have different views. Indeed, they influenced the 'hobbies' of a lot of children and grandchildren that spend a heck of a lot of time on this forum. Mike - One or both of your grandparents had very good taste in their choice of football team!
I like the way this thread is going , with it's different views on the choice of mention of previous military service. As Di has already stated, it remains a very personal matter and behoves us all to make our wishes well known to our kin. Ron ps Thanks also to Owen and others for help on editing a wonky thread title !
When I was thinking about posting this subject I did a quick search on the forum to see where it should be posted and found this iitem that I had previously placed. Archie Many moons ago I did some research on Army numbers and posted the following on the ww2f forum: If we are talking about British service numbers then this may be of help: Geoff I feel must tell you and others, of my experience this morning on testing out your admirable CWGC Search Engine. My Army number was 14300260. I decided to enter only the first six digits, i.e. 143002 in the "number" field and see if any one who joined the Army near my time had been killed in WW2. The search produced, amongst others a Trooper Fletcher, Reginald Water who died on the 12th of March 1945, is buried in The Reichswald Forest Cemetery and who's Army Number was 14300257. Trooper Fletcher's number is just 3 digits lower than mine and he must have joined on the same day, 1st October 1942. Truly a case of "There but for the Grace of G-d go I" Ron
* Ron, Trooper Fletcher was unlucky, you were luckier than him and I have lived my life without having to go to war, which makes me luckier than you. Both Trooper Fletcher and your good self earned that luck for me (and millions of others). That is why we should never forget... Best, Steve.
AndyBaldEagle kindly took this photo for me when he visited Brookwood Military Cemetery a few years ago. Dad's former CO. "Once an Irish Guardsman..."
