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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Ringrose on Wednesday 24 May 17 15:00 BST (UK)
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May 24th .....my Dads birthday and Empire Day.Going to a small church school in Kew Surrey we would go to church in the morning and have the rest of the day off.We had our union jacks which we held with pride .My Dad being very patriotic stood up whenever he heard the National Anthem.This could even be at breakfast time if it was played on the radio for a royal birthday.Remember the anthem being played at the end of a theatre or cinema performance ....everyone stood up.
Ringrose
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Before my time I think ;D
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Some replies to your post last year ;D
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=748973.0
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How embarrassing ....forgot I'd mentioned this before.Probably because today has special meaning remembering my Dad
Ringrose
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Please don't be embarrased, you have every reason to remember the day ;D Enjoy your memories on this beautiful day.
Rosie
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I do remember the national anthem being played at the movies. The first bar heralded an unseemly bolt for the exits. The picture houses got the message & stopped the nonsense! ;D
Skoosh.
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I do remember the national anthem being played at the movies. The first bar heralded an unseemly bolt for the exits. The picture houses got the message & stopped the nonsense! ;D
Skoosh.
I don't mean this to sound rude, but to a certain generation it was not nonsense. People did stand for the national anthem, as Ringrose father did. It was a mark of respect and national identity.
My late father in law would stand up when the anthem was played at the end of the evenings television viewing. Who remembers that? and no programmes before lunchtime the following day.
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I don't mean this to sound rude, but to a certain generation it was not nonsense. People did stand for the national anthem, as Ringrose father did. It was a mark of respect and national identity.
My late father in law would stand up when the anthem was played at the end of the evenings television viewing. Who remembers that? and no programmes before lunchtime the following day.
Yes, I remember Empire Day and I also remember I wore "Empire Made" plimsolls.
My husband was born 1937 and always stood to attention whenever the national anthem was played, whether in the cinema, during a televised football or rugby match, etc., or at the end of TV viewing. I think you're probably right about the age group who remember the sacrifices made for "the realm", and as there's no conscription anymore when every soldier, sailor, airman (airwoman) on these islands worked with other British nationals, it's probable that there's no close affinity these days.
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As a Girl Guide there was usually a big parade to attend somewhere not far away with other youth organizations attending.
Here in Canada it is called Victoria Day, and it is a holiday on the Monday closest to May 24th.
All concerts etc have the national anthem played still - but at the beginning of the event not the end. And everyone stands and many sing along.
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Ringrose
Empire Day
Thank-you for your post
I am sure this day was celebrated by my Family
And we always stood up for the National Anthem anywhere it was played and we felt proud as children and we still do as Adults.😁
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Written by my cousin, Marjorie Dunkinson, as a school girl in 1937 about Empire Day.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60455214?searchTerm=Dunkinson&searchLimits=l-state=Victoria|||l-title=143
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My Mums birthday, I have badges she was given.
Barb
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I have just read through the other thread, and made a post there saying:
I was at a primary school in N.W. London during the late 50's, and I can remember half day holidays for Empire Day after much flag waving. I can also dimly remember buying pink silk (?) Alexandra roses for charity."
Although I used to feel rather silly being one of the few that stood up when the National Anthem was played, I did it, because my parents instilled it into me.
These days I have to admit, I am furious that rugby players have to sing the Queen's song, while other nations have really inspiring patriotic songs about their countries. [e.g. Flower of Scotland.]
I feel very strongly, the country of England needs a new PATRIOTIC anthem, about the country. Something similar to "Land of Hope & Glory", perhaps, rather than "God Save The Queen", though I am happy to sing that, for her, on her birthdays and anniversaries.
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Just noticed this thread title and thought this might be of interest. Wonder if it looks familiar to Ringrose?
My great-grandfather's:
(http://i.imgur.com/ENkE1sq.jpg)
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Such an attractive certificate.
Have you any idea what kind of aid to comfort and contentment was provided to gain this recognition?
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I remember standing for the anthem and I remember Empire Day being on the calendar. What I don't know though is when did we stop celebrating it . Does anybody know please ?
Mowse I agree we have the worst ever Rugby anthem ;D ;D ;D
James what a treasure to have ! Do you have it on display ?
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On the last day at school before Empire day we had a parade, children dressed in the national costumes of the empire, well as close to them as it could be got, and proudly marched around the school hall in front of our parents, lots of flag waving and the national anthem sung with great gusto.
We could do with this sense of pride now
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Children were encouraged to give part of their pocket money to help provide comforts such as chocolate, tobacco or knitted items (scarves, socks or balaclavas).
The name 'Empire Day' was changed to 'Commonwealth Day' in 1958: in 1976 the date was changed to the second Monday in March.
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I remember standing for the anthem and I remember Empire Day being on the calendar. What I don't know though is when did we stop celebrating it . Does anybody know please ?
Mowse I agree we have the worst ever Rugby anthem ;D ;D ;D
James what a treasure to have ! Do you have it on display ?
In 1958 it became British Commonwealth Day, and in 1966 it changed to Commonwealth Day and moved to 10th June, the date of the Queen's official birthday. In 1977, it was changed again, and is now on the 2nd Monday in March. Dig out the bunting.
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Thankyou very much Mike , am very grateful to you.
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Sad we don't celebrate things like this anymore.
I have a lovely photo of my Great Uncle and his classmates all dressed up for the occasion in fancy dress.
Cheers, Ade.
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Sad we don't celebrate things like this anymore.
I have a lovely photo of my Great Uncle and his classmates all dressed up for the occasion in fancy dress.
Are you going to post it ? ;D
Cheers, Ade.
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@mowsehowse
No idea, sadly. I do not believe there is any other information relating to it, simply the certificate.
@a-l
No, it isn't framed, it's in a box along with hundreds of photographs and documents I've gone through, cleaned, and grouped into sandwich bags. :D
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Sad we don't celebrate things like this anymore.
We all like a good party and get together, but it must have been right to let Empire Day slide into obscurity, along with the empire itself.
Here's a good chance for a street party in June. http://www.rootschat.com/links/01k5w/ (http://www.rootschat.com/links/01k5w/)
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What a shame , that would have been a treat to see :D
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I was born on Empire Day,way back in 1937.
We lived opposite the Gas works main entrance and on the day all the huge horses were decked out with ribbons, red white and blue of course, horse brasses, bells etc and they were paraded along the road.Their manes and tails were elaborately plaited.
In those days also the Co-Op horses, milk cart horses and the bread van horses were also in full finery on that day
My Mum said it was because of Empire Day and in my naivety I thought how kind of them to do that for my birthday !!!!
I think it was so designated as it was Queen Victoria`s birthday.
May day was another occasion that this happened,after the parade we girls would choose one to
get dressed up in somebody`s mum`s net curtains ,she was the May Queen , home made paper bouquet , broomstick handle maypole with crepe paper ribbons and we sang at people`s front doors, got pennies and bought crisps and pop for our party which we held among the carved masonry stored on our local recreation ground from the bombed Manchester Royal Exchange.
It was like a castle, huge blocks and lovely carved details.
What a wonderful playground.
What simple pleasures -not a mobile phone or iPad in sight!
. Viktoria
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I will get the family photo albums out and scan the photo and share it here.
Cheers, Ade.
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Here is the photo. Taken in Ruddington, Notinghamshire. My Great Uncle Sid Thompson is seated at the far left on the front row. Sid was born in Jan 1913 and was killed in 1944 serving with the RAF. Looking the dress and theme I guess this was taken circa 1918?
Cheers, Ade,
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Royal Oak Day today :)
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Here is the photo. Taken in Ruddington, Notinghamshire. My Great Uncle Sid Thompson is seated at the far left on the front row. Sid was born in Jan 1913 and was killed in 1944 serving with the RAF. Looking the dress and theme I guess this was taken circa 1918?
Cheers, Ade,
Priceless! Thanks Ade
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What a wonderful photo Ade ! The lovely costumes , that is a treasure of a photo. I'm so pleased to have seen that moment in time ;D. Thankyou for posting it.
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May 24th .....my Dads birthday and Empire Day.Going to a small church school in Kew Surrey we would go to church in the morning and have the rest of the day off.We had our union jacks which we held with pride .My Dad being very patriotic stood up whenever he heard the National Anthem.This could even be at breakfast time if it was played on the radio for a royal birthday.Remember the anthem being played at the end of a theatre or cinema performance ....everyone stood up.
Ringrose
Before my time but it was also my Dad's birthday so I always knew it as Empire Day - apparently my uncle, who was seven years older than my Dad, and a very proper and well-behaved little boy (as opposed to his new baby brother who turned out to be a proper little rascal!) went round telling everyone that they had got an 'Empire Baby'.