I brought a British Soldier's medals to his grave at the Somme
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Support Stories of the Great War on Patreon - / storiesofthegreatwar
This story might have gone unnoticed, but for a chance encounter I had with an ebay listing for his medals. I had the chance to bring Private Walter Lloyd's British War Medal and Victory Medal to his grave at Dantzig Alley Cemetery on the Somme Battlefield. He was with the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment but was killed near Ginchy on August 26, 1916 while attached to the 20th Manchester Battalion.
#history #ww1
Not everyone would go and buy a medal of a man who fought in a war 100 years ago, and then properly placing it back to where it belongs. Hat's off to you Chris
From another accrington lad that lost family in the great war ....may God bless you ... accrington holds dear to our hearts the accrington pals . Literally every family in the town was decimated in the onslaught of ww1
What a fantastic thing to do. It's only by doing these sort of acts that these young mens lives are not forgotten.
I managed to track down the graves of my two great uncles, Sam and George, in Northern France. Sam was killed on the Somme in 1916. George was only 16 when he lied about his age and joined up in early 1918. Similar sort of story to Walter and his brother. George was tragically killed only 10 days before the war ended in November. They are always remembered by our family on Rememberance Sunday every year.
I've been rescuing medals, memorial plaques and artefacts related to Great War soldiers for many years; it's always a special pleasure and honour to then go and visit them on the battlefields. especially when they have a known grave. Nice work, Chris.
Absolutely an honor. I have a few more I’m taking with me to Ypres in May. Thanks to you I learned a little more of Andrew Dickson’s story.
Thank you for bringing the human element to history. We hear all of the time about casualty numbers but we often forget that each of those people that died had aspirations and family. Pvt Walter Lloyd had the possibility to be just another casualty but you have brought the spotlight on him and that is quite honorable.
Even if there is no family left to return the medals too, at least you will cherish them. That way Walter Lloyd won't be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Mr. Lloyd. You won't be forgotten
What a lovely story, its important people like you keep their memories alive, I hope you can find his family and return the medals so that theyll cherish them forever
Chris, I’m doing the same on my next visit to the Western Front, I will be visiting 3 of the Fallen around the Fromelles with their medals and one with a Death Penny. It’s a great thing you do mate. Really enjoying your new channel. I will send you pictures of the 3 on my return.
Great work Chris 👏
Just wanted to say thank you. I've bought a few different WW2 items and found the soldier name in them and tried really hard to find family members to give them back to. One was a complete Army Uniform. D Day Museum in New Orleans even tried to help me with that one. The last thing was just a funny postcard sent from Camp Van Dorn Mississippi by a Private Rump. And with the unique last name I was able to find all 4-5 of his kids between Pennsylvania and Delaware I think and sent everyone of them a message on messenger and I never got a reply. I don't want anything for the items and would pay for the shipping. It's sad that anything like this is not put up and cherished by a family member. If you or anyone else who reads this has any ideas on how to reach family members to be able to return things to please let me know. I sent pictures and what I wanted to do to all their Facebook messenger, even one of the grandkids and family friends but I don't think a single one ever checked it. I understand why you want to give them to the family or at least I think I do. You understand how important it is and it doesn't feel right owning it. Not without at least trying hard to return it to family members. Thank you again
Salute to you!
Really touching that you did this.
There is No Victory in death every one loses in the end ? I found a UK Grave local to me and the grave is of a Mother and Father who lost a Son in WW1 I found the Sons Grave in france and i removed a little bit of soil and i brought it back to England and i put the soil on the Mother and fathers grave I dont know if the Mum and Dad ever visited but I thought it was the right thing to do ? The Human link should never be forgotten
You know it's sad if they are bringing the medals that were awarded to somebody that ever actually received by them because they died in combat.
amazing
As I'm sure you're aware the battle of the Somme started on July 1st 1916 with disastrous consequences for the British Army as they sustained 60,000 casualties in the first few short hours of an offensive that would last 4 1/2 months.
It would also see the introduction of the a new weapon by the British, the tank .
Do you happen to add these stories to commemorate those individuals you mention here on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission For evermore stories of the fallen?
The important thing to remember is that all the War Mongers would have done well out of it!
If no relitive can be found try regimental museum and maybe they can find a pace of honor for his medals