I hadn't really planned a post today, but I was given this info yesterday about my Great-Great Uncle Arthur. I knew he died during WWI and his name is on one of Gravesend's many War Memorial's, but I knew no information about him at all.
I was chatting with a work colleague Debbie, who gave me a book that her husband Andrew was giving away, in was a collection of WWI soldiers dairy entries. Debbie then mentioned her husband also raises money and restores war memorials in the Gravesend area. I explained that I had two relatives on a memorial at Windmill Hill in Gravesend, giving the names Dryden and mistakenly Hopson (after speaking to my Dad it should have been Dadson).
Anyway Debbie came back the next day with a booklet that Andrew had written and published himself about the sinking of the SS Minnehaha on 7th Sept 1917. In the booklet was the above information..........how fantastic!!
Thanks Debbie & Andrew
Windmill Hill Memorial, Gravesend.
'God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!'
Nice, appropriate post, Ray - the merchant marine guys never really get the credit they were due. They had a pretty grisly time of the U-Boat war, in harsh conditions. All respect and thanks to Arthur.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteThat is amazing. Now you know more about him. All from a casual conversation.
ReplyDeleteCrazy eh?
DeleteAn amazing and sad story. Brave Arthur.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteWe shall remember them. Lovely post, Ray.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryan,
DeleteOh my gosh! Outstanding! What are the odds that you would encounter someone with information about your family. Incredible! I'm so glad you were able to get information about him and can honor him even more.
ReplyDeleteIts a crazy coincidence??
DeleteBeing quite oldish myself,my Grandfather and his two sons,my Uncles died in what they used to call The Great War. Of course with my Dear Mother Grace Liddy Arnip,only being 11 years old at that time I never knew of them until my Mother related,the family hardship this caused. Such was a greatful nations gratitude to my family,that my Mother and two older Sister were sent to the Workhouse,and she my Mother was there until she turned 18 when she was thrown out of there homeless,but so happy to be Free. There must have been many a family laid low and classed as unimportant in that World War,and the scar`s run deep.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Posting this topic "We Shall Remember Them." BB
That's a sad story Paul, what a sad world we live in.
DeleteNice post Ray...Never forget!
ReplyDeleteNever.
DeleteGreat reading story Ray!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michal.
Deletelest we forget Ray and thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sander.
DeleteGreat read Ray. Never forget!
ReplyDeleteCheers Rodger.
Deletea fitting tribute Ray
ReplyDeleteYes indeed.
DeleteHow interesting! Never forget indeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon.
Delete