Somme respect

[CGS military figures]

Hi all,
I hope this is ok

This is my great great uncle,Joseph

KOSB killed on first day of the Somme.
The only picture we have,his body was never returned as many but his brother is buried in Jerusalem .
Both fought at several battles before.

Joe was 25 when killed and had served 7 years at least so not sure what age he joined or got away with when joined.

Not a post for sadness without memories, please post anything poignant as I think this is what us modellers remember a lot
Kind regards
Gra

 

[Nap]

Respect Gra

Truely a generation lost

Never forget them

Nap

 

[tomifune]

Excellent post as these stories which bring our miniatures to life.

Bob

 

[tonydawe]

This is my Great, Great Uncle Cpl. Walter Stanley Dawe, 32nd Battalion AIF (K.I.A. 22 February 1918) who fought at the battle of Fromelles as part of the Australian 5th Division, on the same day as the Battle of the Somme.

Australia lost more men in 24 hours at Fromelles than in the 9 months of the Gallipoli campaign. Both Britain and Australia suffered their worst battlefield casualties in a single day of fighting, on the same day.

I visited Walter's grave at the Messines Military Cemetery in Belgium in 2009, the first member of our family to do so. Ninety eight years since he died and my youngest son wears Walter's medals proudly every year on ANZAC Day to remember him.

 

[CGS military figures]

Humble doesn't come close, great pics Tony, hopefully we carry it on through appreciation of those before.
God bless Walter, another name now spoken.

 

[MalcC]

I'm watching the service now, what a fitting tribute.

Malc

 

[Nap]

I'm watching the service now, what a fitting tribute.

Malc

Totally agree very moving and a wonderful tribute

Nap

 

[Joe55]

These guys gave their all for God, country, freedom, their loved ones, and each other. They have my respect.

Joe

 

[ellie]

Hi all I thought I would post this I hope it fitting

This is a photo of my Grandad Who was captured on The Somme this day 100 years ago. he was a mills Bomber in the West Yorkshire Reg. he was one of the lucky ones. he passed away Back in 1965 I was 5 years old but still have fond memories of sitting on his knee and him telling me and the other grand children about the great war. and it has stayed with me all my life. I have now passed his stories to my children and in turn they will pass it on to theirs.
God Bless you Grandad Gone but never forgoten
Ian, Ellie & Douglas

 

[billyturnip]

Hi all I thought I would post this I hope it fitting

This is a photo of my Grandad Who was captured on The Somme this day 100 years ago. he was a mills Bomber in the West Yorkshire Reg. he was one of the lucky ones. he passed away Back in 1965 I was 5 years old but still have fond memories of sitting on his knee and him telling me and the other grand children about the great war. and it has stayed with me all my life. I have now passed his stories to my children and in turn they will pass it on to theirs.
God Bless you Grandad Gone but never forgoten
Ian, Ellie & Douglas

Which Battalion was your Grandad in Ian?

 

[Hawk_Uk]

As modelrs we paint and depict many different nations and eras in the uniforms of the figures and bust we do.

On such days as these we as a collective should remember that those unforms were worn by real people who fought in real battles. Many of who gave the greatest of sacrifice for their country.

For me that is why I like to represent real people and give the history of who they were. This is why we did the First World War pilot bust series - they were true heros to me.

We salute all who have fought for their country. For those we lost and for those who came back...

 

[ellie]

hi Rodger it's 3rd battalion west Yorkshire. I have part of his service record it goes as follows:

Burton. Joshua Private West Yorkshire Reg
Volunteering in August 1914. he Proceeded to the western front early in 1915. there he took part in the battles of Neuve Chapelle and Arras, and many other important engagements, until he was taken prisoner whilst in action on the Somme . he was held in captivity in Germany until cessation of hostilities, and was finally demobilised in 1919. holding the 1914-15 Star, General Service Medal and Victory Medal.

Just some back ground into my Grandad, he was working in a French Polishing shop for his father in-law at the time he had 3 children and one on the way when he volunteered. My Grandmother used to sing and dance with her sister Minnie at the Leeds City Varieties they were known as the Dye Sisters that's how my granddad met her she was a year older than him ( he was her toy boy lol). she did not try and stop him from going to war as they thought it was his duty even though he had a very young family.

The went with his friends from the street and work place out of the 10 people who worked for my Great Grandad in the shop only 2 came back. the rest Gone. My Grandad never forgot the friends he lost and always said he was the lucky one he got to come home.

God Bless him and the lad who never came home.

Ian

 

[billyturnip]

God Bless him and the lad who never came home.

God bless them all Ian, British, Commonwealth, German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, etc.
The war to end all wars, if only it was true.

 

[peedee]

A couple of years ago, on a visit to The Somme Salient that I was privileged to be invited to join I experienced many poignant moments.
I was fortunate to be able to stand within Yards of where my Grandad went over the top that day with the Suffolk Regt.
What little he had told me plus the screenshot memories of film footage we have all seen fell into place.
The horror of the hell these guys went through just made sense.
However, visiting Lochnagar crater made the most impact upon me for this reason.
in the Photo Below you can scale the photo....sort of
by the people carrier vehicle in the top left corner car park.

.
On the opposite side of the crater from that point, you will see the chalk path broadens out to a small white patch where you discover this.

George Nugent was one of the many lads lost on that first morning who had no known grave, until his remains were discovered in Oct 1998 on or near this spot.

After his identification, he was re-interred at Ovilliers Military Cemetary in the company of his Comrades and of other Regiments by the CWGC.....
on the 1st July 2000.....how thoughtful.

Hidden here by the flowering shrub is a small inscription
"Lost, discovered, never forgotton".
How wonderful are those who continue to offer this sacred work the world over, for all lost souls of any and all nations, with such love care and respect.

Bless them all too.

Paul.

 

[housecarl]

Following on from Paul's posting.

 

[DEL]

I've had a very emotional day. My daughter graduated MA and I am bursting with pride at the world of opportunities in front of her.
All day I've been thinking about those young men of her age who had their futures taken from them ........ a hell on earth .... sickening ...... Everyone of them and all nationalities a hero.
Derek

 

[peedee]

Following on from Paul's posting.

.

Thanks for posting this Carl.
We were stood together at Lochnagar when we found this story.
You remember I hope, how much that trip meant to me and I am thankful for your invite that took me there pal.

Paul.

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys

Just had to share this by an artist called Sarah Mulligan

Stained glass ..just look at those poppies ,,,,

Beautiful

Nap

 

[peedee]

That is a thing of beauty Kev thanks for sharing.

The commemoration yesterday by the 'Ghost Soldiers' appearing at railway stations and public spaces around the country, so clever, original, touching and intelligent.
Paul.

 

[CGS military figures]

So glad we all bought our memories to this thread, thanks for posting and I always thought that was your grandad Ian, but I never asked. We ain't a bad bunch on here and we certainly respect our elders. Whatever bun fights we have in modelling, this puts it into perspective. I will always be a friend to a friend and I think that's how they thought.