How can we remember if we don’t know?

Vast majority of Britons don’t know how many military personnel have died in conflict

· 84% of Scots don’t know that more than 7,000 of our Armed Forces have died in conflict (both combat and peacekeeping missions) since WWII
· Over a third (35%) of Scots are unaware of any of the conflicts which the British Armed Forces are currently involved in
· 61% of Scots think that schools should teach pupils more about conflicts that the British Armed Forces have been involved in since WWII

92% of British public doesn’t know how many members of the British Armed Forces have died in wars and conflicts (both combat and peacekeeping missions) since the start of WWI

85% of Brits are not aware of over half of the conflicts which the British Armed Forces have been involved in since WWII

More than a third (37%) are unaware of any of the conflicts which the British Armed Forces are currently involved in

59% of Brits think that schools should teach pupils more about conflicts that the British Armed Forces have been involved in since WWII

As the nation gets set to remember the efforts of our armed forces, new research released by the Forces Network highlights the lack of knowledge of many Brits, when asked about the conflicts we have been involved in since the First World War. How can we remember if we don’t know?

The research has been conducted to mark the launch of the Forces Network’s Remembrance map www.forces.net/remembrance, which has been created in partnership with Ian Beckett, Professor of History from the University of Kent. The map identifies and commemorates all the conflicts (both combat and peacekeeping missions) which the British Armed Forces have been involved in since WWI, to enable a greater understanding of the commitments made by our service personnel.

The statistics show that 85% of Brits don’t know that more than 7,000 of our armed forces have died in conflict (both combat and peacekeeping missions) since WWII.Additionally, from the start of WWI to the end of WWII one million British personnel lost their lives but when asked 1 in 5 (23%) people thought that fewer than 5000 service personnel made the ultimate sacrifice.

The statistics also show that more than half of Brits think that we have been involved in 30 or fewer conflicts (both combat and peacekeeping missions), since WWII – when we have actually been involved in more than 60. Only a third (35%) of people were aware of the British involvement in the fight against so-called Islamic State.

37% of respondents were unaware of any of the conflicts the British Armed Forces are currently involved in, including Operation TOSCA (UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) (77%) and our participation in United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia (70%). The figures also indicated that 63% of those asked, think that the number of conflicts we are currently involved in is high.

The research also reveals that, as a nation, we have an interest in learning more about our military. Over half (56%) of 18 to 24 year olds are not aware that Britain’s Armed Forces were involved in the WWII, 52% of that age range said they would like schools to teach more about the role of our forces.

Ian Beckett, Honorary Professor of Military History, of the University of Kent said: “There is understandable emphasis upon the commemoration of the two world wars with the ongoing centenary of the Great War and of the 75th anniversary of the Second World War. The public is also aware of recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The significance and value of the Remembrance Campaign is that it reminds us of those many other occasions since 1914 on which servicemen and women have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of this country.”

Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO, former Chief of the Defence Staff, said: “It is very disappointing that the public does not know more about the Armed Forces’ role in defending our country and our allies.

“It is always important, especially at this Remembrance time of year, to think about those thousands of people who have given their lives for our country since the end of World War 2. I would urge the government to make the history of modern conflicts a compulsory subject in our schools to help youngsters better understand and respect the freedoms and lives they enjoy today. In truth, we don’t know where the next conflict will be but our armed forces stand ready for any eventuality.”

Fake Remembrance merchandise seized

Border Force officers have seized fake poppy branded jewellery, key rings and scarves estimated to be worth approximately £150,000. The goods, some of which were also branded with the words ‘Lest we Forget’, were later confirmed to have infringed the Royal British Legion’s ‘two-petal poppy’ copyright. Continue reading Fake Remembrance merchandise seized

One hundred years on: we will remember them

Two fallen World War 1 soldiers have finally had a rededication service – a century after they lost their lives. Continue reading One hundred years on: we will remember them

Poppy cascade remembers Arras fallen

Poppyscotland has released 46,000 Poppy petals from the top of the National Wallace Monument, in Stirling, to commemorate the end of the Battle of Arras. At precisely 11am yesterday (16^th May), the poppies fell with each petal representing a Scottish soldier who lost their life or was wounded during the conflict. Continue reading Poppy cascade remembers Arras fallen

Edinburgh sees red to support Poppy Appeal

Some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks will be going the extra mile for the 2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal by lighting up red.

Edinburgh Castle, The Balmoral Hotel clock tower, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Airport, Jenners, EICC and the Government buildings at Victoria Quay and St Andrews House will all be turning the capital red in support of this year’s appeal.

They will be joined by many other iconic buildings and structures across the country in a bid to light up Scotland red and raise awareness for the annual fundraising campaign run by the leading charity Poppyscotland.

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see Edinburgh lit up in poppy red once again for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, and we’ve been blown away by the community’s support.

“We hope that when people see Edinburgh glowing red over the Remembrance weekend they will think about the many ways they too can go the extra mile in their support for this year’s Poppy Appeal. Whether it’s putting a little bit more in the poppy tin, or doing something completely different to raise money, every penny helps us to offer life-changing support so we can be there when they call for backup.”

The Somme: one hundred years on

Scotland remembers our bloodiest day

The Battle of the Somme will be commemorated with an overnight vigil in the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle and further remembrance events at Contalmaison, the area where the battle took place. Continue reading The Somme: one hundred years on

1.7.1916 Somme Dawn

From the diary of Captain Charles May, 22nd Manchesters (7th Manchester Pals):

1st July 1916: 5.45am

We marched up last night. The most exciting march imaginable. Guns all around us crashed and roared ’til sometimes it was quite impossible to hear oneself speak. It was however a fine sight and one realised from it what gun power really means. Fritz, of course, strafed back in reply causing us some uneasiness and a few casualties before ever we reached the line.

The night passed noisily and with a few more casualties. The Hun puts a barrage on us every now and then and generally claims one or two victims.

It is a glorious morning and is now broad daylight. We go over in two hours time. It seems a long time to wait and I think, whatever happens, we shall all feel relieved once the line is launched.

No Man’s Land is a tangled desert. Unless one could see it one cannot imagine what a terrible state of disorder it is in. Our gunnery has wrecked that and his front-line trenches all right.

But we do not yet seemed to have stopped his machine guns. These are pooping off all along our parapet as I write. I trust they will not claim too many of our lads before the day is over.

Captain Charles May, 22nd Manchesters (7th Manchester Pals). Died 1st July 1916.

We will remember them

Events planned to commemorate 1916 events

World War One commemorations in Scotland will continue in 2016 with events to mark the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of the Somme. Continue reading We will remember them

Armistice Day: remembering the fallen

‘You were so dazed that you just didn’t realise that you could stand up straight and not be shot’ – Corporal Reg Haine, November 1918

The Armistice came, the day we had dreamed of. The guns stopped, the fighting stopped. Four years of noise and bangs ended in silence. The killings had stopped.

We were stunned. I had been out since 1914, I should have been happy: I was sad. I thought of the slaughter, the hardships, the waste and the friends I had lost.

Sgt Major Richard Tobin, Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division Continue reading Armistice Day: remembering the fallen

Normandy remembered

‘To remember and to celebrate is not to glorify militarism but to show the united will of the people for a peaceful world’ – Tony Delahoy

Local man Tony Delahoy returned to Normandy last month. Below he recalls his personal experience as a young soldier at the key turning point of the Second World War: D Day and it’s aftermath when allied forces at last turned the Nazi tide …

I was a dispatch rider for the 219th battery of the regiment – my motor cycle was a BSA 500cc, a really good machine. My personal armament was a pistol and a sten machine gun.

On the night of 4/5 June 1944 my Unit, the 55th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery, moved from Great Yarmouth to London docks to embark for France. After sailing down the Thames we joined other ships in the Channel and moved towards France.

After a couple of hours there was a submarine alert but nothing developed; however during the night the ship was later by enemy planes. Their bombs missed the ship but a second attack was made and the ship was hit by a huge electrically-guided bomb. Fortunately this failed to explode – a fantastic escape for everyone! I like to think it was the resistance workers who sabotaged the bomb! The ship stopped for a time, of course, and destroyers stood by to help if necessary.

When we finally reached the coast of France the ship was attacked again, but not hit. I wondered if it was possible the enemy knew our ship was carrying important anti-tank guns?

On scrambling down the nets into the landing craft I found that the pilot of the landing craft was my next door neighbour from home – what a place to meet!

As a dispatch rider my job from day one – and throughout the campaign – was to keep contact with the guns. Finding them in different locations meant many hours of lone travelling on the bike, making a reconnaissance of areas to make sure we knew where the enemy were and at the same time making a mental note of the route taken.

The front line is not a straight line, so it is easy to get into enemy-held areas and coming under fire for doing so! When we were just to the south of Caen I had to reach a gun position – to do this I had to cross a large field, but on leaving the site I was usually targeted by enemy mortar shells. Fortunately these always fell behind me: on subsequent visits to Normandy the gun crew told me they used to bet on which shell would hit the target!

The role of my regiment, which was part of the 49th Infantry Division, was to protect the infantry and to destroy the enemy Panzer tank divisions, preventing them breaking through to the landing beaches and so splitting the front in half. This they tried very hard to do: in the area roughly halfway between the cities of Caen and Bayeux bitter fighting took place around Tilly sur Suelles, Cristot, Fontenay le Pesnel, Rauray and Villers Bocage. Our Division suffered great casualties: a monument to the 49th Division, whose insignia is the polar bear, is to be seen just outside the town of Fontenay le Pesnel (below).

Many escapades on my motor cycle took place in those areas. The enemy left snipers behind to do as much damage as possible and to act as observers; observation of movements brought down concentrated mortar shelling.

Two things cannot be described in writing: the sheer volume of noise of a battle and the terrible stench of dead cattle all around.

The city of Caen, with it’s road network south of the city, was vitally important for both sides. Many Panzer divisions were concentrated in the area, so after the battles mentioned above our anti-tank regiment moved to the Caen area by way of Pegasus Bridge.

The weather, which had been wet for a few days, turning the ground into deep mud, turned hot, drying the ground out quickly. This meant that any movement raised a cloud of dust, resultng in heavy shelling from the enemy.

My job continued, finding the location of guns; a lonely and sometimes frightening hours-long experience. Night time journeys were more so, but mental notes of a route made during daylight were of great benefit in keeping out of trouble.

The Demouville, Cagny, Freemental Mesnil and Frenouville areas were heavily fought over. During one night time reconnaissance I came upon a chateau near Frenouville which I hoped was deserted. After carefully looking and listening, I decided to stop there in the kitchen and get some sleep. During the night I heard voices – I couldn’t tell whether ours or theirs – but thankfully they went on their way. It was a patrol, but whose I will never know – and thankfully they didn’t spot my motorbike hidden in the hedge!

Throughout July and August we fought our way south of Caen (above) and with the Americans moving from west to east the enemy was practically trapped. My division then attacked east to reach the River Seine to attack and capture the port of Le Havre: it was vital for supplies and the enemy knew it …

These experiences, mine and hundreds of others – from Normandy and Belgium and Holland too – have led to many of us old comrades returning year after year. Most veterans have returned to Normandy to take part in official ceremonies, particularly at the 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th and now 70th anniversaries of D Day 1944, remembering those who died fighting fascism. Also to visit graves of comrades in beautifully kept cemeteries throughout Normandy. And to see and feel how much the restoration of freedom has meant and means to each succeeding generation; to get an understanding of the sacrifice and courage of the peoples of France, Belgium and Holland during their four years of occupation – and their elation on being liberated.

The most important result of the veterans returning for 71 years, I feel, has been the bringing together of hundreds of thousands of people from countries everywhere, not to glorify war but to celebrate the necessity of peace.

As a focal point the ability of veterans to continue visiting Europe is diminishing, so each generation must be that focal point and guard their future by understanding the events and mistakes that led to World War.

I was invited to write the foreward to Rene Vos’ ‘Sporen uit het Verleden 1940 1945’, a book about the occupation of Holland as I was involved in the liberation of that area too. I’ve reproduced it below:

Citizens of Cranendonck Community,

To remember and to celebrate is not to glorify militarism but to show the united will of the people for a peaceful world.

It is important that events of the 1930s and 1940s are told to each generation so they can avoid the ‘mistakes; made during that period: the ‘mistake’ of tolerating racism, the ‘mistake’ of ignoring the fascist states’ determination to expand their control over others, all of which led to world war.

It was the ordinary people of all lands who finally defeated that evil; it is the ordinary people of all lands, armed with the knowledge of the past, that will safeguard the future.

Tony Delahoy