The Last Platoon: British veterans of the Great War (Part 2 of 2)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- This is the second part of the outstanding short series that interviewed the remaining 'Tommies' in 2005. Be sure to see Part 1 on my channel. Uploaded for educational purposes only. Any advertising is unbidden by me.
Please visit our new site for the serious history enthusiast: www.historyroom.org We have recent history, old history, ancient history, debates, reviews, quizzes and much more. You might even consider contributing something of your own! See you there!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful documentary sir!
What about the germans and French? Are there any interviews?
“Does Doris have a sweet tooth?”
“I don’t know... she might not have any!”
Harry patch, what a guy 😂
Hope Harry's up there with his mates having a good laugh
They all are, no doubt about it. I’ve heard the pints are free too.
@@Hardrada88 I hope so lol
@ROLO listen pal I’m catholic what you’ve just said is disgusting I’m from east London Walthamstow lot of bengalis who all follow Islam and there the nicest people you don’t know what you’re on about
Harry Patch. I would've loved meeting him. Seems like a real character.
He was. I had the honour of meeting, albeit briefly, when he visited my ship when we launched the Poppy Appeal way back in 2008. He spent a lot of time flirting with the WRENS.
@@mgytitanic1912 At 110 !
What a ledgend😂😂😂
When I watch something like this, it makes me realise how trivial most things in my life are now compared to what these great men faced back then. I'm 19 and when I sit on the crowded train to University I look at the situation and think what a horrible experience. Then when I look at what a soldier my age would have had to face in WW1 it makes a crowded train journey seem like nothing. What takes my breath away every time is the length of their lives. They experienced so much and there are little things in our lives now that can help us transcend decades of life than a vivid war like this one. I hope we never forget, because if we do. Then god forbid something like this could happen again . That is why we must continue to educate and remember what has happened in our past so we can become greater, stronger and wiser human beings.
Well said.
Well said I’m 22 and it amazes me that we can act so stupid now over feelings, yet these men only 100 yrs ago had to go through so much for very little in reward.
Brilliantly put
well said.
I’m 27 in 2020.. and I feel the same. They were built of something stronger yet we cry and stress about ‘grades’ and ‘success’ . These men are some of the last of the greatest generation. My pops is 83 and remembers very little bits and pieces of the Second World War.. he’s at the end of his life and this documentary wants me to go and spend more time with him. Unfortunately his mind is not all there as it used to be..
Breaks my heart to hear of the soldier who committed suicide after receiving the letter from his girl telling him she was leaving him for another man. She was probably the only thing keeping him going. The sheer selfishness and cruelty of a lonely partner safe and sound at home to drop gut wrenching news like that to their significant other away at war sickens me. She should have kept in contact with him and let him find out afterwards if he had survived.
We had a few guys who got Dear John letters in my time in service. We kept them close by and did whatever we could to raise their spirits.
At least you know she suffered when the Great Depression started, guaranteed.
I hope the rest of her life was miserable and as wretched as her, scumbag.
RIP Soldier; you’ll never know how loved and respected you were by us.
@@wsam.1984 that's the wrong thinking. It's not the fault of the man who the woman chose over the soldier.
@@ScratchthechalkBoard I wish but it's not a guaranteed
That meeting between Harry and the German soldier was truly beautiful. Harry made such a good point: If disagreements can be settled with negotiation after a bloody war then why the hell not before?
@NickStone68 it's always after because the ones that do the talking around a table are never the same ones that do the bleeding and the dying. That meeting was indeed truly beautiful if a man that held that hate for 87 years could let it go why not the rest of us?
Germany tried..
Germany did send several documented peace offers and wanted an end to the war, the British government couldn’t allow that.
@@rhysnichols8608 typical British stubborness
Absolutely!!!!!! Spot on!!!!!
I've taught World History for nearly 30 years. This is one of the most effecting WWI documentaries I've viewed.
I agree, and I would suggest saving both episodes for your future classes, Doug. Regards - Alan
That's because it was told by the people who were actually there, through their own words by their own memories. A trully masterpiece of a documentary in whch they just let them talk about these wonderful men experiences. I feel honored to have seen this. Meeting these men in person must have been an extremely remarkable experience. such a mixture of happiness and sadness, passion, conviction, pride and regret all at the same time. All by a sea of memories of a group of men, a different kind of men from another era. I truly loved this, it should be remastered and shared.
Did you ever lose a single word about the meeting between Sir Grey and Prince Lischnowsky during your lectures?
This has to be the most poignant documentary I have ever seen, what lives these men had, thank you Alan for taking the time to share this with us.
Maureen Lee Superb. isn't it? Thank you, Maureen. Regards - Alan.
Moved to tears by the end of this. Just can't believe that civilised men were capable of such horrors. Just the Tommies alone, 5 & half million men sent through all that. How can anyone not be moved by the scarifies, not just by the Allies but by the Germans also. This generation must never be forgotten - not ever. God bless them all.
Agreed, I think it's important to remember that - for the most part - soldiers on both sides were just boys, really... It wasn't such a clash of ideologies as WW2 was (where a lot of senior officers in particular were proper Nazis), and had these men met under any normal circumstance they'd have shared a beer and a story.
You could see the pain that these guys went through this was so interesting but yet chilling. The way Harry Ptch told his story had be gripped to the screen , never should this country forget these men who give their life’s for us. RIP
Absolutely excellent! My Papa was in WWI as a medic from here in America. He described seeing the horribly wounded and the courage they continued to have. I am a Vietnam veteran and war is terrible. Thanks for this excellent video and best of luck to all of us.
My Grandfather was a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1960 but never saw combat but he said to me the reason why he never did extensive research on the Great War and Vietnam was they were just too horrible. All war is horrible and Vietnam from what I know was quite a traumatizing so I hope you’re doing well.
I had two great grand fathers who served in WW1. One of which was gassed but lived, and the other who would later reenlist to serve in WW2. I never got to know either of them before they passed away. Only know what my mother looked into about her great grandfather and what my dad knew about his. I can only imagine what they went through during their time on the front.
I still warmly remember meeting that very last Tommie in this documentary back in 1995 when I lived in The U.K.. It is a very warm memory still to this day. He was so very kind and patient. I remember it was Remembrance Day and he insisted on pinning a poppy upon my coat's collar. I felt so proud of it and of meeting such a person who have lived through and had seen so much in war and peace. To this day I still keep that paper poppy. One of my most prized possessions. I am not sure if he is still alive and well here in 2015. Being ten years after this program aired, but if so I wish him and the other living veterans as of the programs airing date happiness and health. If they have passed, I wish them and all of The Veterans to rest in peace. That they are not forgotten. That always, they will be remembered.
What a fabulous story, Joseph, thank you so much. Alas, all of these old gentlemen are now gone, the last one to go being Harry Patch. I have three other 'veterans' programmes on my channel which you might find interesting. Regards - Alan.
Thank you Alan. I am most interested and for sure will enjoy watching them.
The last surviving First World War veteran was a 110 year old British Woman named Florence Green. She died in 2012. Alas, they are all gone.
I've never had the honour to meet a World War One veteran in person, and sadly never will. But these documentaries will provide a way to meet them, and they will be immortal in that way.
Great great men ! Harry died in 2009 aged 111 a true man Like all the others RIP
Its our job to make sure these great men and the awful wars are never forgotten .
I feel so much for Harry Patch. You can see he has held on to so many strong feelings and such sadness over the years. Poor man
And that stupid girl in the nursing home brought it all back to him. Stupid girl! She should've been sacked for disrespect. She obviously had no respect!
My generation don't know how good we've got it, man. What a generation.
spot on matey.
You best not be talking about us 9/11 brothers. Take a walk around your Va. Were in our 40's now missing limbs or fu*ked over by the system and guys are still sticking sidrearms in their mouths.
Not for long extreme comfort is ending, they are lining you up to fight the new arrivals
What an incredible story. I watched this in the comfort of my warm home wanting for nothing but to watch this incredible story told by those who gave us our comforts of today is simply incredible. So unfortunate that wars still go on today and glorified.
Watched this many times still the most moving and powerful documentary I've ever seen
Those old boys RIP. Loved that generation. Growing up for me they were our great-grandads and they had something about them. It’s a something we don’t have anymore and I miss it. Different class.
This is so sad; I wanted to cry. What a waste of lives. I hope one day we as humans can learn to live together. I salute those brave soldiers, sailors , airmen and marines . MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
It really moved me when Harry patch was discussing receiving parcels with his comrades. In the trenches I'd assume receiving parcels would've been a great personal joy, but he stated they would always share the contents amongst each other, always breaking bread. Very powerful imagery.
That dear john letter hit hard on a sensitive issue to me, can’t even begin imagine the hell and suffering they went through
All those men are gone now 100 years later none of them are around Harry Patch was the last Tommy. Frank Buckels the last Doug Boy. Many of those men took there tails to the grave. but these men are brave enough to tell us about the WW1. From the Horror to the Braver, and the brother hood. all these men from all nation are hero's, and to forget is to dishonor them! Thank you!
And now they've all passed away.
And with them, let's hope any chance of any young man ever being made to through something like that ever again.
I almost feel like it's my duty to experience these horrors since they did. They sacrificed so much and here am I living without a single worry in life.
The time will come again.
Soon.
These guys were the greatest. Back in 2006 or so, I attempted to talk the the last American WWI veteran Frank Buckles but was not successful. I offered to pay my way and fly out to meet him but his grand daughter thought I was a member of the press and although I told her I wasn't, she told me that even the press is only allowed a half hour a week with him.
I let her know, I am a veteran myself and all I want to do is shake his hand and take a picture with him and that I would be brief and leave him be. Anyway, he passed away a few years ago and I was so angry at myself for not trying harder to meet him but a part of me thought it's best that I leave him and his family be. smh
Get out of here Stalker.
The last of truly great men 🙏🏻rip
When I was a boy in the UK, I often spoke briefly to an old ex-soldier neighbour who had had lost a leg in WW1. He told me how lucky he was, because his false leg was made out of aluminium, and was not so heavy. When I joined the army in 1965 at the age of 17, I went to say good bye to him. On my leaving he gave me a very short piece of advice, he said ‘Keep your head down son”. It was many years before I comprehended why he said that to me.
The battle of the Somme are still sending the chills through out the history of war😱
Thank you for your service Englishman, from America. Harry's bravery to return to pilkum ridge is astonishing. God bless the queen and England
These brave men went through more than we could ever imagine...R.I.P. to all the fallen...Harry you are a legend...but now you're at peace...God bless you all...
very touching indeed. It is never late to learn and forgive, I particularly enjoyed watching the different temperaments these gentlemen had, contrasting sensitivities for similar experiences. One does feel grateful for living in a calmer era and place, even today (I live in Chile...)
Watch this when it first broadcast. Absolutely excellent. Thought provoking. RIP all those great people of both sides. The two foes coming together at the end pure bliss.
Almost 90 years after the war had ended you could still see it in Harry's eyes.
Thinking the same thing, it’s clear he has soon some horrors
I'm seventeen and it feels so strange that these guys were my age fighting in the trenches
Remember that, when you ever think life is unfair or hard to you.
Fighting & dying
Ill remind you that people in the 80s and 70s had it much easier than us. Try buying a house on unskilled work at the age of 20 nowadays.
adamrules01 - literally impossible. Noone had it harder than the men who went to WWI and WWII though
NickStones68 He never said they had it easier than the troops of WW1 & 2. He said that people in the 80s and 70s had it easier than us.
18:44 Aged a hundred and six "I can't see the door" LOL
And he got a whack with a crutch too! Poor bugger
I have just returned along with my Wife and good friends from my first visit to the battlefields of Passchendaele. We stayed in Ypres and managed to visit Tyne Cot Memorial,the Memorial Museum Passchendaele, Hill 62, In Flanders Fields Museum and attended the Menin Gate Remembrance held every evening until November. I have in the past visited the odd war memorial in the UK, but this trip has made me realize just how lucky I am, and how I owe so much to so many. Thank you Alan for sharing these videos with the information, knowledege and insight into the private lives of the few remaining or now departed, but my biggest thanks and thoughts are to those who sacrificed their lives for us, I for one will do my best never to forget them.
And thank you, Lou, for those thoughts. Alas, all of these old gentlemen have passed on now.
I also went to hill 62 just a few weeks ago, to see the preserved trench, remarkable place
They went through all that yet remained gentlemen after the war. It's so true that we will never see their like again. If they could see what our politicians have done to the country I'm sure they wouldn't have bothered, they suffered so much horror for a country given away by stupid money worshiping politicians.
The beginning is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! ALL THOSE PEOPLE... LIVES, that the one man MR. HARRY PATCH was responsible for giving life to! FAMILY, that is what life is TRULY about! R.I.P. SIR! A well DESERVED transition toward a brilliant new life with all of your loved ones!!! May peace be with you and unto all.
Wow. Speechless. What an amazing group the last were. Harry- so lucid and thoughtful. We must remember them.
Grew up next to the American legion Post in WV, my grandfather was a vet but my grandmother told me to never go inside the legion. Said there were bad things happening in there that a boy shouldn't see. Of course I snuck in and listened to the men's stories between cursing and shouting at each other. I miss them all.
Thank you for making this documentary men like these should never be forgotten and all service men who went to war and never came home that includes both sides of any war they are fighting for there country right or wrong they all have the ultimate sacrifice lest we forget
These brave men went through more than we could ever imagine...R.I.P. to all the fallen...Harry you are a legend...but now you're at peace...you so deserve....
I was lucky enough to intern in the archives department of the Imperial War Museum as a teenager. I was placed in charge of archiving the audio interviews of men from the first world war, whom the museum had spent many years visiting to record their experiences. I got little actual archiving done as the stories I had access to were so unbelievably compelling! I remember one story in particular, of a Tommy going over the top on the first day of the Somme. So thick was the air with bullets that he, "wrapped my coat about myself as if in a blizzard or rain storm and pressed on, shoulder dipped and eyes squinting". Such an experience is unimaginable. Of the comrades in his immediate trench, only he survived the attack and subsequent retreat. I though that was worth sharing. Unbelievable men.
Why, look at them, all of them Dead. Harry Patch. This was Excellent. Thank you Alan Brown for up-loading.
Watch Gettysburg reunion and the last vet and watch the last person that saw lincolns assassination
Claude Choules lived to see the tenth Decade and died shortly after the 97th anniversary IIRC
when I see films like this it makes me realize how lucky i am
Proud to serve my country, looking back at all these lads who died younger than me
Wow. So powerful. I cried, I laughed, but most of all watched and felt their sadness, their lives, and their strength.
Lest we forget.
My grandfather was the leading gunner of a gun team in the Royal Horse Artillery who survived the entire war from 1914 to 1919. He was in Italy in 1917 then back on the Western Front in 1918, from where he became part of the British Army of Occupation in the Rhineland in 1918 - 1919. It is hard to believe that he was so lucky to have lived throughout that terrible conflict. God bless you, dearest Grandad, and may you rest in peace.
This was wonderful, thank you for sharing. My grandfather survived being shot in the shoulder while fighting at the battle of the Argonne Forest in 1918. Thank you again.
Eddy Wells Thanks, Eddy.
Great documentary, Dr. Alan. Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Phil.
@@oasis6767 My great uncle was a member of the Canadian contingent to UK forces, he was gassed in the 2nd battle of Ypres in 1917. I met him in 1967 and his vocal chords were still showing the effect of the gas-50 years later. Incredible.
Im an 18 year old Brit it makes me sad to know that these brave men have all passed away.
Thank you for uploading the second part of such a great documentary . I've also found titles from Canada like " A Soldiers Voice " with four other similar titles of Canadians in the two other major battles of exceptional interviews from men and women of the time . In my opinion I truly believe school being the proper setting to teach kids about respect of elders should be just as important for future generations to lead on for future peace for everyone .
Superb comment, thank you Kerry. If you can post links to those Canadian videos, I would love to see them. Regards - Alan.
hello Dr. Brown ; Thank you for your reply . I've subscribed to your channel as well as the channel Bad Day HQ where I'd first found the amazing stories aptly named A Soldiers Voice from the WWI encounter along with the four other titles named Voices of War all which are documentaries from WWII, men and women's interviews of their time as soldiers and I believe nurses who'd cared for the soldiers when they'd been brought in off of the battle front . Each title are from soldiers in the army, the navy and pilots of the air force divisions as well as another story from Canadians time in Korea too . I wish I were more savvy with my computer to be able to share the links with your channel so others might be able to view . I'm certain though if you are able to queue the titles I'm certain you'll be able to view as well as possibly share the videos on your site . Ps Bad Day HQ also have many stories of Canadian tragedy on almost every disaster on Canadian soil . Thanks again for your reply sir .
Also sir I failed to also include my thoughts of valour of all brave men and women in any war torn era to also share my view of the shock of how soldiers were treated as cowards in WW1 in your post entitled Shell Shock in WW1 . I am yet to get to other titles posted by yourself . Truly the most interesting interviews by the soldiers and I do believe are the stories which should be taught and learned in the respect of future encounters every citizen should be concerned for in this era to try to avoid our world coming apart .
Also sir I would like to know if there are any titles I might have missed from the Germans view of the World Wars through their eyes translated to English to explain their thoughts and forgiveness of all battles brought on by the leaders of each era to go to war . Those are the thoughts in my mind are truly the most important message of the stories I've viewed thus far .
It is wonderful listening to these lovely old veterans, all passed away by now, God bless them and may they now rest in the eternal peace that they all so richly deserve.
My grandfather (on my father's side), after whom i'm named, was with the Australian Army (4th Pioneer Battn.) and was killed by shell-fire in August, 1917 at a location they called "Fanny's Farm" in the Messines area. He was just 22. My father was just a toddler when his father left Australia for the War and so had no memory of him.
I am so touched by these stories from these great men thank you to all who and still serve in the army
“If I had my time over again I’d do exactly what I did”
What a luxury it is to feel this so close to the end.
Great watch and very valuable insight. I'm thankful that these veterans decided to tell their stories, what a great shame it would have been to not hear them. Thanks so much for uploading all you do.
Love listening to Harry speak, reminds me of listening to my grandad tell me old stories of when he was young.
Bless these men-they were amazing. All the hell they went through and still kept their sense of humor. Love this series.
It makes me sad to know that these incredible men are no longer with us.
Thanks Alan, I really enjoyed this. It was very heart warming when Harry Patch met his German counter part.
Oh yes, that still gets me misting up even now. Thanks, Mark.
Thank you very much for sharing this, Alan. It was a remarkable thing to watch. Very poignant, and personal.
18:37 - I hope my wife and I are that charming when we reach 100 years old.
Corporal Jim should have tracked that doctor down after the war and slapped him!!!!
Watching Claude’s birthday party, seeing all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren makes you realise what millions of young men (on both sides) gave up in the Great War. A while life never lived. But for the men who survived, they went on to be responsible for so many new lives being brought into the world... Yet so many young men never got the chance. Generations of people, not here today that could have been. So many more families who could have enjoyed scenes like these, year upon year as their young boys grew into old men. Old men that died peacefully surrounded by their families who love them...Instead they fell, and remained on the battlefield or in the cemeteries, forever as boys and young men, never to grow old, surrounded by so many of their friends who did the same. Millions of young men who never got to enjoy life in a world without war. We will remember them.
That music makes my heart feel so much like heavy and makes me want to cry
It was the theme music also from Schindler's List.
I knew it sounded familiar. Very effective music
very very inspiring presentation. God these young men lived through pure hell and endured those memories for their entire lives. Tough men- physically and mentally. My had goes off to all of them. God bless them all.
I have to admit that these two documentary’s, where so wonderful and sentimental that I started sobbing for those poor soldiers of the hell that they went through, they always will be HEROES!!
R.I.P to the last fighting Tommy Harry Patch born 17th June 1898 - 25th July 2009 thank you Sir for your service, Thank you to each and every soldier past, present & future for your service to the UK. xx ❤
im from truro harrys amazing! i found my great grandad after 82 years was in the somme 81st and 160th siege battery
A very touching film. They are all gone now. I can't help but think about how, one day, such a film could be made for WW2, Vietnam, Gulf Wars, and future wars, the same as similar documentation could have been made of US Civil War, Revolutionary War, British Civil War, Punic War, and all the rest ever fought in human history.
WW1 such a magnificently huge event that consumed the lives of millions of people and changed those lives forever narrowed down into one friendly and calm meeting of two citizen soldiers decades after the horrific events. Well done. Thank you for producing this film.
This documentary moved me more than any other. I felt a tickle on my right chin but then as I was about to scratch it I realised it was a teardrop.. I don't think I have fallen a tear in years. How I respect these men.
Harry Patch may you Rest In Peace and finally have reunion with your comrades and the companions of your youth.
Thank you WW1 Veterans for serving the country! We love you! 💕 We will never forget. 🙌
What an amazing documentary. True hero's. Lest we forget.
Thank you for the upload of this great document. I feel humble watching it. These soldiers gave everything they could possibly give. Remembering World War 1 as well as any other conflict and all suffering it caused is a good thing. It is important all of this is remembered and never will be forgotten. I visited Ieper some time ago. It made great impression. I would like to express my gratitude and respect to all people who were there fighting for the freedom of others. It is exceptionally honourable they did. May you all rest in peace and may light shine upon you now wherever you are. Hopefully people will learn the madness of war can never lift up to the suffering of anyone regardless of what politicians and governments might say.
I visited Ypres a few years ago.
All the other war graves.
It is etched in my mind..hardly a day goes by.
That I don't think of this.
I took a tiny lil bit from the trenches.
In memory of all those who lived and died in that hell.
Never to be forgotten.
I will remember them.
Bless them all.
May they rest in peace.
Love and remembrance .
Britain's greatest generation
💞💖💕💝💗💗💗
Thank you all.
Thank you so much for posting these Alan. I hope generations never forget or fail to appreciate the horrors these men witnessed, and the sacrifices that were made by so many.
I agree 100%. Thank you, Ray.
I wish I could have met these men. Especially Harry. Cried many tears with this. If I could have I would have given Harry the biggest hug possible!
Amazing and very moving. God Bless them and keep them.
The sad violin music adds to the story. These were great brave men. God bless them.
My Great-great grandfather lived to be 105 years, 7 months and 3 weeks. He was born in 1816 and passed in1921. He was a Cavalry soldier in The War Between the States. He had to join, to keep from being conscripted. There were 5 West in his Company, with him 45 years old. His nickname became Old Man West.
Not counting what happened in the war years of these men, in the video and my ancestor saw a lot of achievements reaching to be 100 years old or more.
I know my ancestor lived in the era from the first steamboat to nearly the first commercial radio being sold to the public.
Remember what these men went through. Remember to always advocate for love and peace over hatred and war. We honour their sacrifice by ensuring history does not repeat itself
That comradery, it's real. Even though my time in the services was never that horrific, it's mostly electronic warfare now but still, i am glad to have had the comradery and still even today. What an absolute touching and eye opening documentary this is and fills me with pride and honour to be ENGLISH. I thank all those men for their sacrifice to be able to even type this comment today. Thank you for the upload.
No war has been so awful for the soldiers as the Great War. Peace be with those who died. This was a beautiful documentary i shed a tear.
i watcht this before and i found myself crying because i could feel the pain they felt at the time they are true heros and always will be
That music. God I just start crying when it starts 😢
My great grandad was a tommy he lost his leg going over the top
+uk spartan ouch
I laid in bed watching this and thought how adorable the married couple was also made me weep hearing of their Passing. This is the best documentry I've seen in a while. Makes our problems look very trivial.. salute all you old guard!!
A swede who served in the french army in the battle of the Somme, were Elov Nilsson, from Gustafsberg outside of Stockholm. He provided us home in the neutral Sweden, with news and personal experiences, from the Western front. He died in the battle of the Somme
My god, that Claude Choules. Over 100 years old and still very much on top of things and clear in the head. God bless him.
I saw this documentary when it was on TV and found it profoundly moving. The fact that Harry didn’t share his WW1 experiences until he was 100 years old isn’t uncommon, many men never shared what they went through. I think the most moments of the documentary are when Harry met the German gentleman and when he returned to the place where he lost his dear friends. I felt privileged to watch and feel the sense of Harry coming to terms, at least as much as he probably ever did, with the terrible loss he’d carried for so very long. Harry died in 2009, but I really do think that those brave Tommies sharing their memories will ensure that though WW1 has passed out of living memory, because all the veterans are dead, and indeed WW2 will do the same very soon, we will never forget how much those men, many of them not much more than boys when they volunteered, sacrificed for us.
Wow. Glued to the screen speechless the whole time. Very powerful and well done indeed.
Couldn't help laughing, when Mary hit Arthur with the walking stick. Women rule the northwest 😅
I can never understand women who send Dear John letters to their husbands or boyfriends when they are fighting a war at the front
Why pick a time like that surely they realise its going to destroy their morale.
Read Harry patches book the last fighting Tommy. A truly humble fascinating man. Much love to him and all the Tommys x
I was lucky enough to intern in the archives department of the Imperial War Museum as a teenager. I was placed in charge of archiving the audio interviews of men from the first world war, whom the museum had spent many years visiting to record their experiences. I got little actual archiving done as the stories I had access to were so unbelievably compelling! I remember one story in particular, of a Tommy going over the top on the first day of the Somme. So thick was the air with bullets that he, "wrapped my coat about myself as if in a blizzard or rain storm and pressed on, shoulder dipped and eyes squinting". Such an experience is unimaginable. Of the comrades in his immediate trench, only he survived the attack and subsequent retreat. I though that was worth sharing. Unbelievable men.
Well that put a lump in my throat. Amazing Men. Thank You and may you all rest in peace.
and in July 2009, Harry met up with his old friends again
Such brave men. Real heroes and real men. They will never be forgotten
These men and all the fallen soldiers are real legends.