Just One
Just one person remembered, in one village, in one country, on one side of a conflict that happened a century ago. When I was younger there was still a man with the unusual and unforgettable name of Greygoose in the village, probably the son or nephew of Joseph. Doug Greygoose had aged into a contended, humorous and much-loved old character. Joseph was robbed of that opportunity.
Take care.
Just one, to remind us of them all with sadness and gratitude for their gift.
ReplyDeleteSo very many young men were denied the chance to grow old. It's good that we still show our gratitude for their sacrifice and remember them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surname John - you couldn't make it up, no-one would believe it.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute and remembrance. Part of me believes that we live on long after death, as long as someone remembers and mentions our name. I will see my grandchildren today (ages 3, 9mos, and 6 mos), imagine if I say the name Greygoose to them. One of them may say it 90 years from now!
ReplyDeleteYour post sets war in perspective - it is people, real people we are talking about.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I love, the personal stories of those who sacrificed themselves. 100 years on, we have proved that they will never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteWar is the scar of our society. At least you are kind enough to bring his memory to us through your post. All the soldiers who have died during the many wars that have occurred over time are unfortunately gone but yet still -- many are still remembered. I feel as robin andrea quotes in the above comment that we live on after death through memories. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteVery fine. As I said in a comment on a different post today, the memorials that affect me most are those that remember individual soldiers, by name, more than general memorials. Real people served and died for their countries.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of all these young lives cut short is unbearably sad. I hope it never happens again - and it probably never would if us ordinary people had our way. Like Jack (above) I find the individual stories the saddest.
ReplyDeleteMy father was wounded at Cambrai in October, 1918. I thought today (among many other bits of remembrance) of the loss of my husband's two brothers, and how much he missed that relationship in later years (to say nothing of their dear lives cut short....)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an example of 'less is more', John. That is a very moving and thoughtful post. We need to see the numbers as real people - exactly like us.
ReplyDeleteWhen our sons became young men, that's when the reality of the lost sons hit me. To imagine them going off to war was just too hard to even contemplate. And yet that's what so many families faced. So much sorrow, so much pain.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the best commemorations of this centenary has been Radio 4's drama series "Tommies" - 6 episodes still available on iplayer. Listen and weep.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've met a Wildgust in Yorkshire, apparently a surname related to Wildgoose. I wonder how many goosey surnames there are?