"Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918.
Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," in accordance with the Armistice, signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919. [1]
The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I.
The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war"
It is something i suppose that my generation can't really comprehend. A different era and time. Normal men called up to serve on the front line. Many of whom were killed. Back then they were proper men. There were no IPhone's, man bags or sushi. Men didn't have earrings, or little beards. They were proper hardcore and probably look at today's modern spoilt, lazy, obese, technologically savvy generation and think - 'we fought for the future of our country for this shit'? So they could play X Box 3?'
When you see OAP servicemen paying respects how many people actually think to what is was actually like? I don't as i cannot comprehend it. But when you do it's mind blowing. 1.75 million people lost their lives in both World Wars. People believed Government and Royalty as law. There was no TV, Radio, social media. Propaganda was pumped out. The whole nation united in one cause. To win the war. There were few dissenters. Little cynicism. The British became known for their stoicism (and of course Imperial Arrogance that they owned the world - soon replaced by the US)
They talked of spirit, rations, bombings, kids being evacuated to the country. They talked of men being called up and never coming back. it was a time of austerity but of passion and reality. From the worst times came the best qualities. Yes there is a danger of switching off, disrespecting oldies as irrelevant. The whole Uncle Albert 'during the war' thing. But it's sad.
And what of today? What is their legacy? What did they fight for? They fought for heavy traffic in Richmond on a Sunday. Of congestion charge and Starbucks on every corner. They fought for Young's Pubs serving Sunday Roasts with Yorkshire Puddings shrivelled like old serviceman's gonads. They fought for Argos and Geordie Shore. They fought for Made in Chelsea and Rupert Murdoch. For justice, freedom and most of all they fought for their moral compass. Respect. These were Men who went to battle. Did they moan if they got a coleslaw on their lip? Did they complain they felt fearful? Or had Candida? Did they strut around in tight jeans and complain that life was passing them by? Did they get touchy at the merest hint of criticism? Did they fuck.
Thank god those tough bastards fought for the future of this country so we could enjoy The X factor and 'Everything for a Pound'. We salute you boys. You are the heroes. The inspiration.
Favourite Image of the day. Well it's got to be my pet favourite subject. Mobility scooters. This is a positive story about them. Not for idle bastards who feign injury to get one on the sick, but for former soldiers injured in battle. It still makes an awesome picture though and no matter how much your bravery and how great it must be to be mobile again, a line up of mobility scooters is guaranteed to raise a smirk on your face.
The whole country stops at 11am for 2 minutes silence. I'm ashamed to say I was having coffee with 2 pals and lost the time. We didn't observe the silence. Bad boy.
I went to an early morning meeting in Chelsea. You always know you're in a Chelsea meeting when you hear the kind of statement I heard this morning, "I was on my second glass of Shiraz when I left a half stuffed trout and rushed out". The kind of meetings I usually frequent in South London are more Special Brew than Shiraz and you certainly don't get many half stuffed trouts. Still horses for course, different strokes and all that.
Lazy day save for a beautiful run in Richmond Park. The colours look incredible at the moment. It was a stunning day. Crisp, cold and crystal clear, sun, blue sky and Blighty was looking pretty bloody pretty today.
Off to Gibraltar at 5am tomorrow for 3 days of work so the blog will have to be squeezed in. Can't say I'm looking forward to it. People seem to say you lucky thing going away but I don;t see it that way myself. Lets hope the weather is OK so I don't shit myself on the landing. Still I will be meeting Miss World & Miss Gibraltar who are booked to do this event I'm MC'ing on Tuesday, who knows maybe it won't be a wasted trip after all!
Have a tidy week readers. Subdued and uninspired blog today I'm afraid. Main thing is though to all those who lost lives. Remembered today
xx
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