Has Remembrance Day lost it,s meaning ?

[Thunder Bolt]

Yes, fully agree with this. My grand daughter is now aware of what happened and joined us at the memorial ceremony this year. Often, when on the ferries, we see British school parties who are going to Ypres. Last year, we met a party from Blackburn who had travelled through the night to get to Dover early! At the Menin Gate , there are lots of messages from school parties, and groups of young people attending. Lovely to see.

I took GCE history in 1964, which included WW1, so it was taught 50 years ago.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Was in Ypres recently and particularly noted the presence of school parties from several nations participating in the Last Post ceremony at The Menin Gate, which commemorates the 54,000 lost in the Ypres salient during WW1, without any known grave.

Another 36,000 without known graves are commemorated nearby at Tyne Cot. Mind boggling numbers and brings home the scale of loss, so many very young men doing what they considered to be their duty, never to return home. Not forgetting similar memorials to the Germans at Langemark.

Interesting to see a large group of very young Belgian school children there as part of their curriculum. A very dignified and warming sight.

Not least a group of Kiwi boys dressed in All Black rugby colours who on completion of the official formalities formed into three ranks under the Menin Gate and sang a most haunting traditional Maori song to honour their ancestors. Despite their rivalries it was stirring to see the many Aussies there also wearing rugby colours were moved to tears and gave the Kiwis a big ovation. Clearly many Aussies and Kiwis had built time into their RWC itinerary to make the pilgrimage to Ypres to honour their ANZAC ancestors.

 

[swindonseagull]

Genuine question - is it normal for someone to wear their relatives' medals?

Technically you can only wear those of your immediate family and only if you are next of kin.

During the great war and after widows would often be seen on armistice day wearing their husbands medals, sons and daughter did not wear them unless they were next of kin.

The rationale for this protocol was these medals and decorations were presented/sent to the next of kin of those killed in action so by default can be worn by them.

There is nothing (legally) to stop anyone from wearing a relative medals but protocol says they should be worn on the right side, as opposed to Left hand side, ie my own medals are worn on left.
I left the RAF 8 years ago and have not worn my medals since, although I do admit im getting closer to wearing them at rememberance.,

But ( ready to be shot down) I do find it strange when people wear relatives medals, I do understand if they want to honour them but I know some people wear them for a 'look at me' type of thing.
I personally feel that you should only wear the medals that you yourself earned.

 

[swindonseagull]

I can't believe that the danger the air force and navy personnel in particular face is any greater / more arduous than those jobs.

Just a guess but I assume you were never in the military?
In my 30 years in the RAF i served in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq in the recent past.
Kuwait we were targeted by Skuds at the airport ( thats where aircraft tend to be)
Basra in Iraq the airfield was targeted many times by missiles and mortars
Whilst flying over high ground in Afghanistan mountains up to 15-20 K a man carried anti aircraft missile could easily hit our air to air tanker.
Thats only 3 occurences Im sure other ex RAF and RN guys can tell you how it was not dangerous.

 

[Hastings gull]

I took GCE history in 1964, which included WW1, so it was taught 50 years ago.

Thanks. I am not suggesting otherwise, just that there has been a drive to make British history as relevant as possible, and so I think there is greater emphasis on this period over the last few years, or at least it seems so.

 

[The Rivet]

Genuine question - is it normal for someone to wear their relatives' medals?

Yes, upon the correct side of the chest. Be proud to wear your forbears awards.

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

Just a guess but I assume you were never in the military?
In my 30 years in the RAF i served in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq in the recent past.
Kuwait we were targeted by Skuds at the airport ( thats where aircraft tend to be)
Basra in Iraq the airfield was targeted many times by missiles and mortars
Whilst flying over high ground in Afghanistan mountains up to 15-20 K a man carried anti aircraft missile could easily hit our air to air tanker.
Thats only 3 occurences Im sure other ex RAF and RN guys can tell you how it was not dangerous.

I'm ex RN Submariner and served during the Cold War and done things that still can't be disclosed to this day but we just got on with it and didn't ask for any glory etc

And your right he is just a civvy who hadn't got a clue what happens in the real world because people like us have protected him from it

 

[lost in london]

I'm ex RN Submariner and served during the Cold War and done things that still can't be disclosed to this day but we just got on with it and didn't ask for any glory etc

And your right he is just a civvy who hadn't got a clue what happens in the real world because people like us have protected him from it

I definitely am a civvy and pretty much completely clueless as to the life in the military (beyond friends in the army and RAF). Interested to hear yours and Swindonseagulls take on things. Not having a go at anyone or not being grateful, just putting across an opinion that the armed forces don't have an exclusive claim to have a dangerous job in pretty awful circumstances serving others.

 

[lost in london]

Technically you can only wear those of your immediate family and only if you are next of kin.

During the great war and after widows would often be seen on armistice day wearing their husbands medals, sons and daughter did not wear them unless they were next of kin.

The rationale for this protocol was these medals and decorations were presented/sent to the next of kin of those killed in action so by default can be worn by them.

There is nothing (legally) to stop anyone from wearing a relative medals but protocol says they should be worn on the right side, as opposed to Left hand side, ie my own medals are worn on left.
I left the RAF 8 years ago and have not worn my medals since, although I do admit im getting closer to wearing them at rememberance.,

But ( ready to be shot down) I do find it strange when people wear relatives medals, I do understand if they want to honour them but I know some people wear them for a 'look at me' type of thing.
I personally feel that you should only wear the medals that you yourself earned.

Very interesting, thanks

 

[BigBod]

Damn, wish I'd known this before I had to endure air raids on a daily basis by the Argentine air force in the Falklands whilst I was bobbing around the South Atlantic...oh and coming under attack from Iran everytime we escorted tankers through the Straits of Hormuz in the Gulf...I guess I can think myself lucky I had to have a medical discharge as I was due to be drafted to Northern Ireland....but that probably wouldn't have been dangerous either!!!! Yes, Royal Navy went to Northern Ireland too.

 

[Return of the Rev]

God bless them all.

 

[sir albion]

It's as strong as ever although the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have made it a little negative.