Tomorrow marks the day that the UK remembers the anniversary of the end of hostilities of the First World War. Myself and my wife, Helena will be paying our own respects to the members of our respective families who gave their lives and I think that it is the very least that we can do. Tomorrow we will both be remembering the sacrifices that all the fallen men gave but in particular our ancestors:
49469, Lance Corporal, Henry (Harry) Gear
19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
Died of wounds, France & Flanders, 6/11/1918
Buried at Cambrai Cemetery
150017, Company Sergeant Major, Robert Adam
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Died of wounds, Caix, France, 09/08/1918
Buried at Manitoba Cemetery, Caix
Naturally, I always knew about the war but I never really understood what it was that the men went through. I still don't and I don't think that anyone who wasn't there could but I have read about the conditions that these men endured and the sacrifices that they made.
Both men survived the battle of the Somme and had seen action since 1915 but tragically died shortly before the war’s end. Of course, whether a man died at the beginning, middle or the end of the conflict is not the point but to be within months, days in the case of Harry, of seeing an end to the conflict is so cruel. To these men and their fallen brothers, my humble gratitude to the sacrifices that they made.
Rob Denholm
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