© Ryan Price 2010
contra omnia discrimina
contra omnia discrimina
Showing posts with label Remembrance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Remembrance. Show all posts
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Remembrance Sunday, Leicester 2010: 3,500 stand to commemorate those who died for their country
Source: Leicester Mercury
Thousands stood in silence across Leicestershire yesterday to commemorate men and women who died in the service of their country.
More than 3,500 people wrapped up warmly at a Remembrance Day service at Victoria Park's war memorial in Leicester.
At 11am, an explosive charge was detonated by members of the 3rd Royal Anglian Regiment to mark the beginning of a two-minute silence.
The crowd then looked on as dignitaries laid wreaths at the memorial.
It was among a series of ceremonies taking place across the county, including remembrance services at Southfields Park, in Loughborough, and a parade from Thorpe End to St Mary's Church, in Melton.
Among the spectators at Victoria Park was 92-year-old veteran John Dean, who lost 13 men under his command while capturing German soldiers in France.
Mr Dean, of North Evington, Leicester, said: "I was the platoon sergeant at the time and I lost most of my men when we were stripping down a German unit.
"There were some teller mines buried deep in the ground and when we called in a lorry it detonated the mines and killed 13 of my men.
"I'll never forget them and I think today is as important now as it always has been."
Bishop Tim Stevens, who paid tribute to service men and women from Leicestershire during the service, said: "I think it was very well attended by young and old and people recognised the solemnity of the occasion which showed.
"I was especially moved by the number of young people who were there, who showed a great deal of support for those lives lost in current conflict such as Afghanistan."
A parade including the armed forces, police and cadets was led by the Seaforth Highlanders through the war memorial, after the service.
Air cadet John Fitzpatrick, 18, of Aylestone, said: "I've lost friends in active service and I think it's important to remember everyone who has given their lives over the years for this country.
"I also think it's important not to forget the thousands and thousands who fought and died in the two world wars. Many of them were my age."
Standard bearer Charles Cufflin, 86, from Enderby, was displaying the flag of the Italy Star Association, in memory of those who lost their lives in Italy during the Second World War.
He said: "I was a guardsman in the Grenadier Guards and I lost a lot of comrades in Italy.
"Today means a lot to me, it gives people the chance to remember the men who gave up their lives for this country."
Captain John Pickering, from C Company, the 3rd Royal Anglians, said: "Most of the lads you see here have done tours of Afghanistan and Iraq, so it means a lot to them, they treat today with the respect and honour it deserves.
"Personally, it's our way of remembering the fallen, I knew people who have died in conflict and their sacrifice should never be forgotten."
Mark Clayton, 47, from Groby, spent 24 years in the RAF's fire service.
He said: "The Royal British Legion do an absolutely fantastic job, I take my hat off to them.
"Today has been great, there's so many people here. I hope that there are still this many people remembering those who have died in years to come."
Sunday, 14 November 2010
In Photos: Remembrance Sunday 2010 ~ Victoria Park, Leicester
More to be added soon, but I didn't take many photos this year. Audio and video clips coming soon.
I took a picture of myself by accident while getting ready to go out, and I thought it would be worth including. I hope to upload video and audio clip from the service soon, along with the Order of Service. Ryan
contra omnia discrimina
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Remembrance Day - The Significance of the Red Poppy
The red poppy, the Flanders' poppy, was first described as the flower of remembrance by Colonel John McCrae, who was Professor of Medicine at McGill University of Canada before World War I. Colonel McCrae had served as a gunner in the Boer War, but went to France in World War I as a medical officer with the first Canadian contingent. At the second battle of Ypres in 1915, when in charge of a small first-aid post, he wrote in pencil on a page torn from his dispatch book:
Take up our quarrel with the foe,
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders' fields.
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders' fields.
The verses were apparently sent anonymously to the English magazine 'Punch', which published them under the title, "In Flanders' Fields".
And now the torch and Poppy red
Oh! You who sleep in Flanders' fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew,
We caught the torch you threw,
And holding high we kept
The faith with those who died,
We cherish, too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led.
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders' fields.
Wear in honour of our dead
Fear not that ye have died for naught
We've learned the lesson that ye taught In Flanders' fields.
The Poppy, bloomed profusely on the battlefields of the Western Front in France during World War I. Legend has it that the Poppy goes back to the time of the famous Mongol leader, Genghis Khan and is symbolic of the spirit of service and sacrifice.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Remember Them: Remembrance Sunday Service on Victoria Park, Leicester
Join me next Sunday, the 14th November at 10:15am to remember those we have lost for freedom through conflict and those who still fight for our freedom. Please...
DETAILS: The County Chairman and Civic dignitaries will attend the Remembrance Sunday parade and wreath laying ceremony which will take place at the Victoria Park Memorial in Leicester commencing at 10.25 with the march-on. Everyone is welcome to attend this county event. Please ensure that you are in position before the 11:00 silence. Disabled car parking is available at the De Montfort Hall as usual. More info: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/leicestershire--rutland/news--events...Remembrance Sunday Remember Them: Service on Victoria Park, Leicester
Join me next Sunday, the 14th November at 10:15am to remember those we have lost for freedom through conflict and those who still fight for our freedom. Please...
DETAILS: The County Chairman and Civic dignitaries will attend the Remembrance Sunday parade and wreath laying ceremony which will take place at the Victoria Park Memorial in Leicester commencing at 10.25 with the march-on. Everyone is welcome to attend this county event. Please ensure that you are in position before the 11:00 silence. Disabled car parking is available at the De Montfort Hall as usual. More info: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/leicestershire--rutland/news--events...Saturday, 28 November 2009
Morning Walk on Victoria Park
these lovely pictures have been down-sized: higher-resolution images available on request; just post a comment below. no images onwww.uselessdesires.co.uk (this site) may be used without expression permission. Thanks
Morning Walk on Victoria Park
these lovely pictures have been down-sized: higher-resolution images available on request; just post a comment below. no images on www.uselessdesires.co.uk (this site) may be used without expression permission. Thanks
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