There are several objects sitting across my desk but one that takes pride of place is my poppy. As I write I get a glance of the poppy band around my wrist. A little reminder to never forget. I confess I do get annoyed if I leave the house without my poppy! I have the greatest respect for our armed forces and the sacrifices they are prepared to make in order to keep us safe. As the 100th anniversary of World War One’s ending approaches let us not forget those who fought and died. The following names listed are those on my tree who went to war and never came home:
Davison George Able Seaman, Royal Navy, Service Number 214456 d. 16th January 1941 (34), stationed on HMS President III but was aboard the SS Oropesa when a torpedo struck
McCullough Joseph Private, 13th Battalion Australian Infantry Forces, Service Number 1348A d. 2nd May 1915 at Gallipoli (25)
McCullough Joseph Michael Sergeant, No. 250 Squadron Australian RAF, Service Number 402004 d. 18th August 1941 (22). He was shot down in an unequal dogfight over Libya.
McGaffin James Private, 1st Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles, Service Number 136088 d. 15th September 1916 (33). He was killed at the Somme but there is no known grave.
McGaffin Robert Clanrye 2nd Lieutenant, 10th Siege Battalion Royal Garrison Artillery, d. 5th July 1916 (21). He was killed four days into the Battle of the Somme and is buried in the Aveluy Cemetery in France.
McGaffin Robert Sloane Private, 1st Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles, Service Number 136090 d. 15th September 1916 (26). Like his brother James there is no known grave for Robert and he too was killed at the Somme.
McGaffin William Henry Private, 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, Service Number 28533 d. 3rd May 1917 (32). He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France.
Shannon Edward Private, 1st Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, Service Number 24968 d. 9th August 1916 (23). He is buried in the Potijze Chateau Wood Cemetery in Belgium.
Trotter Alexander Guardsman, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, Service Number 14620 d. 8th February 1917 (22). Buried at the Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery in France
The inscription on Edward Shannon’s grave is ‘He gave up his life that others might live in freedom’. It is quite humbling to read these words because if these young men, along with millions of others, had not been prepared to give up their lives we wouldn’t have the freedom that we take for granted today. It is also important that we do not forget those who went off to war and came home again. I hope that we never have to experience anything like what those soldiers went through; so wear your poppy with pride, take time to reflect and remember. For your tomorrow, these soldiers gave their today (John Maxwell Edmonds)
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
Laurence Binyon
