More NMA wanderings

One of the things I wanted to do when I went to the NMA last week was to re-visit the Shot at Dawn memorial to leavmy poppy posy. I find this one of the most poignant of the memorials. Commemorating over 300 boys and men who were shot for desertion or cowardice. One personal story recounted at the special Antiques Roadshow, aired on Sunday from the arboretum, describes how a young relative had been reported for allegedly sleeping  on duty[a second straight shift because he was standing in for a friend who was too ill to stand guard] and had been sentenced to death because of that. Like so many others he was allowed no defence or support at his court martial, and was saved only by virtue of the sentence being due to be carried out some 2 weeks after the trial. He was sent back to the front to carry on fighting whilst awaiting his fate, and during that time, his sentence was commuted to 5 years hard labour, which he could work off during his service. Despite conspicuous bravery for which he was awarded medals  after the court martial, at the end of the war he was demobbed at the rank of private, as when he had enlisted.

Looking at the names of these young men, from all corners of the Commonwealth, who were only officially pardoned on 2006, it is so sad to contemplate how they met their end. The statue is modelled on Herbert Burden, aged 17 who served in the Northumberland fusiliers. Though he is the only soldier to be officially recognised as under age, it is accepted that many of those marked ‘age unknown’ are likely to have been too young to join the services, or fight abroad[ in WW1 it wasn't officially allowed for a youngster to fight overseas untill he was 19]

Mac Macdonald writes some interesting detail on the Forces Poetry page.

 

At the Poperinge memorial is a quotation from rudyard Kipling, entitled The Coward:

I could not look on Death,

which being known,

Men led me to him,

blindfold and alone.

 

Armistice day at the NMA

On Friday I was privileged to be at the armistice day service at the National Memorial Arboretum. Wow, what a day!

We knew it was going to be busy, and it had been a good idea to arrive early before the queues started. I managed a quiet trek around some of the places that we’d enjoyed so much on our first trip earlier this year, before finding a sheltered spot near the huge TV screen where the service was being relayed from the Armed Forces Memorial

We started off with a musical welcome from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Collingwood. [ all suitably dressed for the distinctly cool November day]  I couldn’t see them during the actual service, except on the screen, but did manage a crafty peek at the last minute warm up.The service was beautifully done, and extremely moving.  After the VIP wreath laying, and the end of the service, there was the opportunity for organisations and individuals to lay their wreaths.

There was a bit of a lull after the service before the March past due at noon, and I opted to get a quick look at the Merchant Navy Memorials which were close to where the parade would be setting off.  That was another good move because it meant I got a preview of the music of  the Leicestershire and Rutland County, The Royal British Legion Pipe Band. Another treat – the band comprised a great age range; from the experienced mature members through to wonderfully enthusiatic junior members.

 

The march past brought more emotional moments, as the pipe band led veterans old and young past Sir James Hawley KCVO TD JP and his entourage. Not so many service people as would have been seen at the cenotaph on Sunday, but every bit as meaningful for every one of them. There’s so much to see at the NMA – far too much for one blog post[indeed, too much to see all in one day. More later this week about some of the other sights on armistice day.

Caldbeck churchyard

 

 

 

 

 

Small village in Cumbria, where the local churchyard boasts the graves of John Peel and the Maid of Buttermere, also has a memorial at the front of the churchyard.

Old news update

 

 

In August 2009 we walked the battle lines of the Somme, and saw some spectacular, and moving memorials.

 

 

Ferry Fryson War Memorial. Prominently set in Ferry Fryston Cemetery; overgrown but clearly visited on Remembrance Day

Described on UKIWM as “small latin cross on a tapering shaft, two stage square plinth and a square base” The cross is red granite

Holy Innocents, Highnam

The two pictures below were taken at the church of the Holy Innocents at Highnam, commemorating Leonard Patience on the exterior plaque, and men from the parish who were lost in the Great War.

 

 

 

 

Selby Park

This is the relatively new memorial set in Selby Park opposite the Abbey, and pictured just a few days after the Remembrance service in 2009.  The War Memorial inventory describes it as a short obelisk, square plinth and single stepped base.  The inscription reads:

DEDICATED TO THOSE OF OUR TOWN AND LOCAL VILLAGES WHO IN WAR PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE

“INTO GOD’S KEEPING”

SPONSORED BY HENRY F CAMILLE

UNVEILED ON 15T OCTOBER 1997

BY LORD MARTIN FITZALAN HOWARD J.P. D.L.

All Saints, Sherburn in Elmet

This 10 foot stone cross stands in the church yard of All Saints at Sherburn in Elmet . The War Memorial Inventory describes it as:

CELTIC STYLE WHEEL CROSS ON TAPERING PLINTH AND THREE STEPPED BASE. TWO STONE FLOWER HOLDERS APPEAR TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL DEDICATIONS RELATING TO SOME OF THE WW2 NAMES

THEY DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE AND MAY LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM

FOR KING AND COUNTRY

1914 – 1918

1939 – 1945

I have photographs of the names, and the few war graves in the church yard   if any one   interested  would like a copy.

St. Mary’s church, Riccall

St Mary’s Church, Riccall is where I found this 82 stone pillar on a tapered plinth, commemorating the lives of 20 First World War deaths and 5 Second World War deaths. I have a photograph of the names if you would like a copy.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

AND IN UNDYING MEMORY

OF THE MEN OF RICALL

WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR

1914 – 1918

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS

THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS

Barlby All Saints

The gate at All Saints, Barlby has a small plaque commemorating the local men who died in World War 1. I have pictures of the individual war graves in the church yard if needed.