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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: River Tyne Lass on Sunday 31 December 17 12:03 GMT (UK)
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That time of year has come around again when people are thinking about New Year Resolutions.
I am posting to suggest that RootsChatters might consider a resolution to research one name on a local war memorial in their area and send the info to a local war society for posterity?
Here we are approaching the 100 year mark when the Great War finally ended and so many who gave their lives have been long forgotten. Last year I started doing a little bit of voluntary researching for a local war society. I have found it incredible to discover that it seems that a lot of those named on monuments have indeed been forgotten. No one knows who they were or what they did, what they sacrificed.
So I am suggesting and hoping that some of you will research just one name this coming year. I am sure this would make a massive difference and help future generations know more about the sacrifice that their ancestors made.
Thank You. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! :)
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What a brilliant idea River Tyne Lass.
I suppose most of us have researched "our own". It will be 100 years on the 12th January since my grandfather was lost at sea in Orkney.
Yes, I will make a point of doing this next year. Perhaps I could choose a shipmate of his from HMS Narborough.
So many gave their lives in this futile conflict and we must never forget the sacrifice they made.
Happy New Year.
Dorrie :)
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Yes,a wonderful idea,so sad if there are soldiers who are not remembered.
If they had no family or perhaps were estranged from their family no one would research them and they are gone and never even thought of.
After what they went through too.
My Dad said some of his comrades in the trenches never got a letter or a parcel from their families,no socks or knitted scarves and gloves ,no cigs or chocolate . They did not really look forward to home leave and were glad to get back to their comrades. They did not even look forward to demob.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE,with peace and good health.
Viktoria.
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Could I suggest before researching individual soldiers named on a War memorial that everyone checks their local war memorials have been transcribed and if possible photographed.
Since I transcribed the memorials around Wakefield in 1997 hundreds of War Memorials have been destroyed.
The problem is many War Memorials are in churches and schools or are even in buildings such as nurses homes or local halls that have been demolished over the years. Sometimes the plaques are saved but often they are destroyed with the building.
Some of the men and women recorded on the plaques are also recorded on a local cenotaph but often they are not.
Please do not let these men and women be forgotten they all deserve to be remembered for the sacrifice they gave so we could live.
Cheers
Guy
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On a similar theme, I am a member of my local Facebook group, and write up a piece on the men on my local War Memorial on the 100 year anniversary of there sacrifice, hopefully it is now "Out there" and they will not be forgotten.
Happy New Year everyone, Health and Happiness to you all.
Frank.
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Super idea, I think I will look in our local cemetery as there are graves of soldiers who died in the local hospitals in WW1 there, they often look neglected.
Barb
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Many thanks for your posts Dorrie, Viktoria, Guy, Frank and Barb.
I am heartened by the positive feedback you have posted regarding my suggestion about researching someone on a local war memorial as a New Year Resolution during 2018. Rather than write one long post I will respond to each of you in turn ...
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Here in Hexham Alan Grint spent many years researching the lives and,sadly, deaths, of all the men whose names are on our war memorial.
The result is a magnificent book called ‘The Faith and Fire Within’ (available on Amazon).
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What a great idea. Not sure who there is locally to send the information to though. On a plus side it does seem to be recorded and well photographed online. I don't even have to go out in the rain to check the names. I have wondered for some time how many of those on my local memorial were related to each other as I live in small, close knit community.
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Hi Dorrie,
Many thanks for your post and positive feedback. I think this is a very thoughtful idea of yours to consider researching a fellow shipmate of your Grandfather, who also perished at sea, serving on HMS Narborough. I think the descendant's of whoever you choose will no doubt be very grateful for your time and effort and will be touched when they learn why you chose to research this particular person - because of the link to your Grandfather. I think whichever war group you send your information to will be immensely grateful too. I totally agree that we must not forget the sacrifice that those who served gave.
I, too, suppose that most of us have researched "our own." I started by researching my Great Uncle John Conroy and my Grandfather's cousin Jacob Conroy and I sent my research to a local war society. However, I noticed that most of the others on the monuments they were named on do not appear to be researched. I then decided last year to 'do my bit' so to speak and to start researching people on local monuments in my area. It is relatively easy to do the research but because of the scale of the slaughter of those who served in WW1 in particular it is a huge undertaking and quite time-consuming to work on.
My idea is that if RootsChatters resolve to research just one name this year on a local monument this will add up to a lot of extra people being commemorated for their sacrifice.
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What a great idea. Not sure who there is locally to send the information to though.
It’s well worth looking out for regional recording projects.
Here in the north-east of England we have the North East War Memorials Project which continues to record and monitor war memorials. They welcome input on individuals and any relevant photographs, old or new.
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Hi Viktoria,
Many thanks too for your post and positive feedback.
This is so sad that your Grandfather knew comrades who never received comforts from home such as knitted items, cigarettes or chocolate which would have practically demonstrated that someone cared about them and loved them. :'( We must remember them each and every one for what they went through.
When I read your post this reminded me of a man I researched for my local war society. This man fortunately appeared to have a family who cared for him. However, I found a story about him in my local paper. A school girl from his locality had received a letter from him thanking her effusively for a pair of socks she had knitted and sent out to the front. The family must have sent in the letter to be published. What comes acrossin his published letter is his immense gratefulness. He said that receiving a letter was like receiving a five pound note and how pleased he sounded to get the socks!
I suppose socks would have often been a real life saver to those in the trenches. They were at risk of 'trench' foot and losing their feet and legs through infection by standing in water for long periods. No wonder they were so grateful if they could get a dry pair of socks occasionally as this may have helped them get through the war with their two legs, that is if they were not, slaughtered in the fighting.
I think it is not just those who had no one to care for them who are at risk of being forgotten sadly.
In my own case, I knew very little if anything of my ancestors who served in the Great War until I started researching my own family history. Their stories had just become lost in the sands of time. I had grown up with a plaque for my Great Uncle John on the wall at home. He was my Dad's Uncle. However, once I started researching him and my Grandfather's cousin I actually discovered that there is a lot out there about them which none of us in the family knew anyhing about previously. I now feel that I know them and their stories very well and they feel like family members and not just names carved on stone. In the case of Jacob, he is named on a monument about a 20 minutes bus ride from where I live. The monument is behind some trees and next to a pub. Would you believe it that until I started researching I and other family members had not even known that this monument even existed let alone of Jacob's sacrifice! Now, we have each been along to see this. It just shows that even in close family's like ours in just a few generations without stories being gathered there is a risk of forgetting, sadly. I have now amassed a lot of information about John and Jacob. I have come across documents sent to and from my Great Grandfather Simon who was John's father for instance and I have a very good photo of Jacob now. Believe me, there is lots out there to find on people who served in the Great War if people look in the right places.
Once again, thanks for your support Viktoria. :)
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Hi River Tyne Lass,
Thanks for your reply.
A couple of years back when we were on holiday in St.Monance in Fife I noticed two names on their War Memorial with the surname of Easson which was my Gt. Gt. Grandmother's maiden name. I researched them and discovered they were distant cousins to me. I found that one lad was listed on the CWGC but not the Role of Honour at Edinburgh Castle. The other lad was on neither. It took me over a year and I had to provide evidence of birth/death but they are now commemorated on both.
I really felt that I had achieved something positive in their memory.
Dorrie
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Hi Guy,
Many thanks for your post too. This is very appreciated! :)
Your suggestion is an excellent one. When I have been researching, particularly when looking at old newspapers I have come across stories of local memorials and then later I have found out that where they were kept - such as a school - has since been knocked down. I assumed, like I suppose that many of likely would, that something like a memorial would be saved and kept somewhere. However, your post highlights that this may often not be the case. Now bearing this is mind, we should all try to follow up on your suggestion and to try to find out if the names on memorials which still exist have been transcribed and if photos have been taken and sent on. I suppose it is often a case with many of us of presuming that 'someone else will have done this'. We all need to try to be more proactive if we want those who sacrificed to be remembered.
By the way I love that saying on the bottom of your post:
'As we have gained from the past, we owe the future a debt, which we pay by sharing today'
How true! I am going to write this down for safekeeping. :)
Your post reminded me of a lady who was killed in our local area during WW2. She was called Doris Ewbank and was a school teacher who gave up her evenings to use her car as an ambulance to aid others. Unfortunately, she was killed by a bomb which was dropped on North Shields. Her photo was put up in a school but was at one time almost thrown away but was rescued - and many years later returned to the same school. Imagine getting rid of a photo like that of someone who had given so much in the service of others! ::)
Here are two links on Doris's story:
http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=1639&displayorder=35
http://northshields173.org/blog/2004/06/24/doris_ewbank_april_10_1941/
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Hi Frank,
Many thanks for your post too - I really appreciate this and the others that have been posted.
This is great to read that you are already doing so much to chronicle the sacrifice that those who were killed in the War. This is fantastic what you are doing. I am sure your work will be much appreciated by those now and long into the future. :)
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In May of 2016 I had the honour of being at St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney for the service to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Jutland. My grandfather had been on HMS Warrior and was lucky to survive. He never spoke about it although I remember him telling me a story when I was young of how he nearly went to Davey Jones' Locker but was rescued in the nick of time.
We were treated like royalty and given various booklets and a badge (which I now wear each Rememberance Sunday with pride).
One set of my booklets and a badge are now in New Zealand with a RootsChatter who lost a relative at Jutland. She will pass them on to her children and grandchildren as I will do with mine.
It was a special experience.
Dorrie
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Hi Barb,
Many thanks for your post too. It is very much appreciated. :)
I am very pleased to read that you think this is a super idea too and that you are going to look at the graves of soldiers in your local cemetery. I think that this, and also looking at old local newspapers is often a very good way to begin a project like this. If a lot of RootsChatters did something like this and researched the name on one local grave - just think what a potentially large number of individuals would be commemorated! What a gift to descendant's now and in future generations! I wish you every success with this in 2018. :)
In my local cemetery there are about 60 plus war graves. Not all of them have yet been photographed. I have taken a few photos which were very gratefully received by the war society group I sent them on to. There have been other contributors but as I say they still haven't all been covered so I am hoping to locate more in 2018. :)
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Hi Jen,
Thank you for your posts - very useful and helpful as your posts always are.
Your knowledge on genealogy and local matters never fails to impress - no wonder on a different post recently, you were once referred to as someone's 'Genealogy hero'! :) ;)
What a dedicated man Alan Grint must be. It is wonderful that he has done all this research and put all his work into a book. Thanks for letting us know about this Jen. I am sure this book will be invaluable to those who have ancestors from the Hexham area who served and sacrificed in the Great War. Also, thanks Jen, for letting others know about the North East War Memorials Project. This society is interested in the life stories of those who served and survived as well as those who died.
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Hi pharmaT,
Many thanks too for your post - this is also very gratefully received and appreciated.
I am so glad to hear that you, too think my suggestion is a great idea. :) I think this is so heartening to hear from people like you who like the idea of going the extra mile in researching someone who is unrelated for the benefit of others now and in the future. I am glad to hear that the names on your local memorial are well recorded and photographed. However, have all the names been covered? Perhaps there might be one left unresearched which perhaps you or someone else from your area may be able to research.
If anyone is unsure where to post there information perhaps they could post on here a rough idea of where they are from and other RootsChatters may be able to offer suggestions. As Jen has already mentioned for example, for those living in Northumberland and Durham area, a good website to send information to is the 'North East War Memorials Project.'
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faith-Fire-within-Memory-Hexham/dp/0955275814
http://www.newmp.org.uk/ I should have mentioned earlier that a feature of this site is 'Every Name a Story' where extra information about individuals can be added.
Here is an example (not added by me) this is my grandmother's cousin, Ingram
http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=1118&displayorder=12
Here is an example of a rescued memorial at Carrshield (Allendale). It was originally in the school. When that closed it was placed in the church.. When the church was closed it was rescued and has recently been reinstalled in the church at nearby Ninebanks. http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=6773#listlink
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I like the idea, but as I am in Australia won't be much help to you, however I have two cousins from Bristol area who were killed, one in WW1 and the other in WW2. I have put their details on the memorium part of rootschat, but does anyone know where I could send the information to in England.
I also have two cousins who served and survived who were from Hull, but born in Redruth, Cornwall, so again do you know who would like their information.
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Hi Dorrie,
Many thanks for your additional posts - I love hearing about personal stories such as the ones you and Viktoria have shared.
What an amazing discovery to come across your distant cousins called Easson, on a memorial whilst you were on holiday! It was fortuitous that you were proactive and researched the names which were the same as your Grt x 2 Grandmother's maiden name and were able to find out that these people were your cousins! This is wonderful that you put time and effort into providing evidence about them so that they are now rightfully commemorated as they so deserve to be.
I am sure all will agree who see your post that you have indeed achieved something positive in your distant cousin's memory. What an inspiring story in showing what can be found out if effort is made and how something special and lasting can be achieved. This is fantastic that through your efforts they are now recognized properly for their sacrifice. :)
I am glad to hear that your Grandfather who served on HMS Warrior survived the Battle of Jutland. I think this was often the case that those who had had such experiences wanted to put things behind them and not want to talk about it.
That must have been a very memorable occasion of special significance when you had the honour of attending the special service at the St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. It is nice to hear that descendants like you of those who served were treated so well and like royalty. I am glad to hear that you have mementoes of that special day too which you will pass down. I can imagine this must be a source of great pride to wear your special badge each Remembrance Sunday with pride. :)
Thank you so much Dorrie for sharing these very special memories.
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Hi Jen,
Thanks for sharing this additional post with us. I love the 'Every Name A Story' feature of the 'North East War Memorials Website' as very detailed and fascinating stories are related on here as well as wonderful photographs.
School teachers, such as your Grandmother's cousin Ingram, were often written about in local school logs of the time. So if anyone is researching a school teacher I would recommend checking your local archive to see if any school logs may still exist.
Thanks too for adding the link of an example of a rescued memorial too, Jen. It is fortunate that in this case the memorial has been reinstalled elsewhere. :)
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Hi Nanna52,
Many thanks for your post too - this is also very much appreciated.
I am glad to hear you like the my suggestion too. :) Nanna52, I think you could be a great help to those in England if someone could kindly let you know where to send the information you have on your relatives who served in the Wars. I think if does not matter which country you are from - if you have information on ancestors/relatives who served in the Wars, this is sure to be of great interest to relevant war groups/societies and no doubt invaluable to others related to the same people now and in future generations.
I hope someone can send you advice on this soon. I am sure you will be of great help. It is good that you have commemorated your relatives on the memoriam part of RootsChat too. I have done this as well and I have also noticed Dorrie's ancestor on there. :)
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Has anyone put information on the Imperial War Museums site
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/ww1-life-stories
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I think I put a name on there ages ago Rosie.
Will take a proper look at it and see if I can add names and information for those I have already researched.
Thank you
Dorrie
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Thank you for your reply,my Dad was relatively old when I was born ,as a result of WWI injuries so I had first hand his memories .
I can't remember a time when I was not aware of it all,not that he was morbid or gory but I absorbed it all and when we lived in Belgium we of course took him to many places when he came on visits.
When we took him to Armentiers,(he had told us Haig addressed the troops in the market square) we said do you know where you are?
No ,came the answer.We reminded him of Haig's address-------"It was all in
b----y ruins when we were here!"
The sadness of it all overwhelms me at times, how it could go so long given the conditions,why our troops did not mutiny I'll never understand.
And what they came back to,certainly not a land fit for heroes,but mass unemployment and poverty,The means test and then twenty years later another war. We are a very long suffering people to be sure.
Thanks again. Viktoria.
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Rosie99, I had a look at the site, but there doesn't seem to be many stories. I will have to look at how it works.
I have also remembered that there is someone from London too. He served with the AIF in WW1 and at home in WW2. No relation, but I found him mentioned in some of my parents things and had to try to work out how he fitted in.
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Hi Viktoria
Thank you for your very interesting post giving memories of your Dad. I am sorry to hear that he suffered injuries but very glad to hear he was one of the fortunate ones who survived. :)
I know what you mean about saying the sadness is overwhelming. I have been researching a local newspaper of the time which is not on-line. Some of the stories and letters I have read on there can sometimes break your heart. What is amazing is the stoical and totally selfless attitude of those who served. It is extraordinary that there was not a mutiny about the conditions - deplorable is an understatement.
I remember recently reading a book by Harry Patch and in one part he described watching the faces of a nearby group of men who had been ordered to go over the top to almost certain death. He describes the look of bewilderment and disbelief on their faces. I think I would be thinking - 'say what! I am really expected to go over the top and be mown down by bullets?' I think most people were conditioned to obey no matter the end result.
My own Dad, served in WW2 and was fortunate to survive. I used to ask him questions about his experiences when I got older. Like you I was born late in my Dad's life - I was his youngest child. He was not at all morbid or gory either and I do not think he would have ever mentioned the war again if not for me and all my questions - I have always been inquisitive.
I remember him describing a scene which sounded something very much like the film 'Saving Private Ryan'. He spoke of being terrified and having to run up a mined beach and seeing his friends being blown up. I asked if he was not tempted to turn around and run back to the boat. I know it was a daft question but I felt I just had to ask. I will never forget the expression of incredulity on his face. He told me there was no question of that he said that if he had done that he would certainly have been shot by his own people. Imagine being in such a predicament! :'(
Yes, Viktoria I totally agree with you that we are a very long suffering people.
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Yes I asked Dad however he could go over the top,he said there were often
Soldiers like Military Police who would have shot you had you not gone over the top! I could not believe that ,but he said they all did and it was so you had some chance if you did and no chance if you didn't.
I am always willing to be corrected and am awaiting info about that.
As you say, people were different then and really "knew their place".
We have more sense of our worth today.
There are a few WWl graves in our local cemetery and all are neglected,I could have put something on for Christmas but I'm new to this area and waited to see if anyone visited them,if not I can do something at Easter.I'll check. Viktoria.
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These poor lads who managed to survive but lived with the horrors of what they had endured for the rest of their lives.
Probably the most poignant memorial I have ever seen is the one at the National Arboretum at Alrewas to the shot at dawn boys. Blindfolded, lifelike figures tied to posts with the name of each one attached. Thank God we have moved on now and recognise Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Dorrie