Commonwealth War Graves Commission | Recovering & Burying the Dead
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2023
- In this video, "The Commonwealth War Graves Commission | Recovering & Burying the Dead" Kevin Hicks takes an emotive and insightful exploration into the profound and often overlooked efforts behind honouring and memorializing fallen soldiers by delving into the origins of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission whose commitment to ensuring that every soldier, regardless of rank or origin, is commemorated with honour, equality, and remembrance is remarkable.
#Remembrance #ww1
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PHOTO CREDITS:
NPG - National Portrait Gallery
IWM - Imperial War Museum Collections
CWGC - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
High Wood Cemetery - Chris Thomson
Misty Somme Battlefield - Sean Jackson
In 1969, I was travelling through Belgium and stopped at a WW2 British military war cemetery. The Belgian in charge was also the same man who had brought in and had dug many of the graves of the dead soldiers and airmen . He walked around with us and told us how each one of them had died, including six who were sleeping in their tent and a bomb had hit it. He had chosen to remain there and tend the graves for the remainder of his life - very moving. Tears have returned to my eyes as I write this.
That is true commitment to the memories of those who fought and died for the continuation of the freedom of Europe.
What an excellent gentleman
Wow. Moving story. Thank you for sharing
Honor and salute to all of these soldiers who gave everything.
And in the case of WW1, for a big fat nothing.
@@ohenekojo2561 That's the biggest tragedy...
All for the suits and elites to grow in power and profit. Never join the military. Why fight for politicians and CEOs
@@ohenekojo2561 Big fat nothing for them perhaps, but freedom to nations elsewhere. And it's one of greatest sacrifices is to fight for freedom, not only of our nation but also of others. And as a Pole, I do thank all the allied fallen for the sacrifice that ultimately created conditions for my country to return to maps after 123 years of occupation.
@@MIMALECKIPL WW1…. Nothing. Biggest human slaughter and waste of life in history. Millions of young boys became mincemeat. If they could have seen what would have became of “freedom” they wouldn’t have set one foot on French soil.
Honestly I cant even even begin to fathom how difficult a duty that is to carry out. Unsung heroes for sure ❤
Those numbers are absolutely staggering to think of. And that fact that the fallen are still being found over 100 years later...I had no idea. As a veteran, I thank you for honoring the fallen and the ones that went and brought them to rest.
Numbers are staggering indeed. Here in France, there is nearly not one single week without finding one of these poor lads, whatever his country. The last ones found were a dozen Russians from the Expeditionary force killed in 1916-17. French authorities estimate that one third of our dead still haven't been found till then. Including my great-uncle, reported missing in 1916 in Verdun
@@laurentdevaux5617 Wow.
@@laurentdevaux5617Thanks for sharing.
There is a lone gravestone in our local town cemetery in Moulins central France. He is a young 2nd Air Mechanic RAF 97713 R Williamson died 18th June 1918 aged 19. My wife and I lay a poppy cross every year for him. We are guessing that he was moved to a hospital further away from the front due to possible saturation of wounded further north. It’s always an honour to pay our respects to him every year.
Thank you.
As a Veteran of the Royal Air Force (1991-2015), I would like to thank you for your noble gesture of Remembrance towards this young airman.
All this death for but an inch of land and a yard of glory… Rest in peace to all those who passed away for the greed of those in control. Thank you for yet another great production, Kev.
They did defeat the Germans and throw them out of France - that must be worth something.
@@buckfaststradler4629absolutely well said.
@@buckfaststradler4629 thinking about it we did the throwing out twice only to ave it all thrown in our face!,,,,, Boat people "send em t England they are the now the soft-touch Europe
"War is a racket" -Smedly Butler
@buckfaststradler4629 yea and now there's more immigrants n refugees than French men! Was it any worth it ?
My uncle lies in a grave in Italy and thanks to the CWGC we know his final resting place. Thanks go out to the men and women who not only made this possible then but that these graves are cared for even today.
My great Uncle is buried there in Rome Italy war memorial cemetery I found it through the same people he was Sapper in Kings Regiment Liverpool as Royal Engineer same Regiment as his Father who was staff Sergeant he was 23 years old killed in War accident his body not found for days reported missing this side my family we are Staunch Catholic so I'm very greatly by Mercy of God he was found and hopefully given full Christian Burial not really sure why his remains weren't repatriated home probably because his Mother just lost his Father who died from health issues from being savaged in second Boar War and then at Battle Of Somme. If any where is extremely very very Haunted its Battle of the Somme and other Battle fields all those bodies not found buried where they died I Pray there Souls are at Peace but part me thinks that won't be case all the humans and animals slaughtered Haunting the field for eternity. May most Merciful Lord God and his Blessed Mother Mary grant them little Peace
@@lozzii1917 Bodies of British and Commonwealth fallen were not repatriated in either World War. They forever remain with their comrades.
A fantastic organisation. The Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries in Singapore and Thailand are still in immaculate condition. According to the Australians only 52 of the nearly 11000 ANZAC soldiers who died during the construction of the Death railway were not recovered. An unprecedented achievement.
They were buried along the railway they slaves to build.
Now this, Sir is proper History. Thank you.
God Bless You, Kevin. Thank you for remembering all those brave souls. Freedom rests with them who gave so much.
I don't mind admitting that this brought tears to my eyes. Sir Fabian's humanity and compassion in recognizing the significance of all those fallen soldiers, and those who mourned them, speaks to that part of the human soul which often went neglected, simply out of expediency. Multiply this by the many millions who, in ages past, fell on their own battlefields (and, to the men fighting them, there is no such thing as a "small" battle), only to vanish from the ken of those who cared for them. The harsh conditions and harrowing work of the men who seek and recover the fallen is a special kind of sacrifice, made in the cause of honoring those who died, and comforting those who survived them. =-[.]-=
Sir Fabian Arthur Goulstone Ware was my great-grandfather, Newton Henry Goulstone’s first cousin. Reading about Sir Fabian has made me proud to be related to him. There’s a strong thread of administrative talent in our family - seeing the need for systems and databases, just as he did. Thanks for the video! ❤ I’m proud and grateful all over again!! ❤️
That's wonderful, thanks for the comment, you have every right to be proud.
And there are so many families who have reason to be thankful, in their grief... that at least they know where their fallen heroes lie, in perpetuity.
If anyone is interested in further reading, The Searchers by Robert Sackville-West is very good. The book talks a lot about all aspects of the Red Cross during the First World War, memorials and war graves. I admire that they never stop looking for the bodies of servicemen and women, and keeping the cemeteries in beautiful conditions. One of my great aunts went all the way from Sydney, Australia, to London, to become a searcher for the Red Cross in 1917. Going all that way on a troop ship (I have her photo album from the trip!) was bloody brave.
The CWGC has my grandfather's brother's body in their care, after he died at El Alamein in 1942. They have other, more distant, family members, as well as many friends of family members. I believe they now have responsibility for the preservation of the wreck of the Montevideo Maru, which is the final resting place of another great uncle. He fought at Gallipoli in 1915, only to die at the hands of the Japanese Army in 1942. He was the uncle of the one who died at El Alamein. That year was a terrible year for that side of my family.
The Searchers is indeed a very good book. Another is 'Photographing The Fallen' by Jeremy Gordon-Smith whose relative Ivan Bawtree was a photographer for the Graves Registration Commission.
Thank you Kevin. My great-uncle John Stanley Holmes served in the 38th Battalion (Ottawa) C.E.F. in WWI. He died on September 10, 1918 from wounds received during the Battle of Drocourt-Quéant Line (Sept. 2-3, 1918) in France. He is buried in the Terlincthun British Military in Wimille, France. He was the only son in that family. On a long-ago visit to the village my mother was born in, in Ontario, Canada, I discovered a WWI Memorial on the village green, listing my great-uncle's name. A man who lived across the street from the park, came over to speak to me, and gave me instructions on how to get a photo of his grave from the War Graves Commission in Canada.
Years ago, I worked with a colleague whose father had been a dentist in the Canadian Army during WWII. After D-Day, his time was mostly spent trying to identify remains of bodies separated from their dog tags. After the war, he did poorly. Today he would be diagnosed with PTSD, but in those days, he would not seek nor accept help. Another life ruined.
How sad 🙁
Don't forget me, as I lay here, all alone.
Not alone.
Don't let me be lost to the ravaged earth.
Not lost.
Please let my Mum know where I am.
I will.
Please take me home.
Where ever you lay, that is Home.
How will I know I have been found?
When the trumpet calls.
Can I be at peace now?
Be at Peace.
Will my name be forgotten?
It is carved in stone to last a thousand years.
Why are you doing all this for me?
Because of all you gave for me.
Rest easy, good Soldier.
Thank you sir for all that you do here. From an U.S. Veteran to a British Veteran, happy veteran’s day and thank you for your service. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
"Moss will grow over my bones and enrich the fields" is a line from a Polish song from around 1942 (well, my translation of it) and it really reminded me of it when you've mentioned how many bodies are still missing. It does something to my stomach every time I think about it. It also reminded me the times at school when we learned about Katyń massacre by soviets on Polish brass and Inteligencja, and the consequent exhumations.
Hi Kevin, my dad served in the China India Burma Theater during WWII. Due to the nature of the fighting there, many of the fallen were never found, and the jungles quickly claimed them. Something similar happened to some of my buddies in Vietnam.
RIP to all honorable men who died in the service of their country.
Thank you Kevin. Honoring those who fell should be on the minds of everyone, regardless of the country they fought for. This is a most timely video since Nov. 11th is just a couple of days away.
It's kind of disgraceful in the US anyway the blatant disrespect our troops get both living and dead. The very soldiers that gave their lives so these people can be stupid. And God forbid im not allowed to honor the deaths of my family members who died in the Civil War because it's considered racism. Even though the south didn't fight for slavery they fought for independence not unlike the war of independence against Britain.
Cheers David, Remembrance is always a tough time for me 👍🏻
I often think of the Confederate soldiers who fought bravely.
@@thehistorysquad I appreciate that brother. Doesn't too much matter of what side people were on its that they gave their lives.
@@thehistorysquadAnd I too think of all the soldiers, conscripts to countries who could have been “bad” but the soldiers were just like us, normal people. I try and humanize everybody, once you do that, it really makes war that much more appalling… Thanks for the video Kev, and thank you for your service!
Looking smart there Kevin. Massive thanks to all of our military, past and current.
Looking dapper today Kev!
There are many reasons I subscribe to Kevin, but this episode highlights a major one -- he trusts the intelligence of his audience, and never sugarcoats those things that make us squeamish. I was a crime journalist for some years, and I had to learn that we live in a world that is often nasty and offensive to the senses. Kevin describes this part for us tastefully yet thoroughly, and never is he sensational.
That’s very kind of you Thomas, thank you.
As a US Army mom, my heart and prayers are with every brave person who lost their lives and loved ones. I also send my thanks and prayers to the brave people that continue to protect and recover lost loved ones!! Brings tears to my heart and soul!! Thank you for sharing this. Although truly sad it is also so heartwarming that there are still people who care!!💔😪👏👏👏💯💯💯🙏💖🪶💞
What a great story! Amazing accomplishment by Fabian....he persevered and made a huge difference in the preserving the memory of those fallen soldiers. No matter what country those fallen should be remembered. Thank you for your service!
I always thank service people when I meet them....even in stores. They need to be honored.
Thanks for your research into this topic.
Amazing amount of fallen recovered! So sad for those who have not been identified.
Thank you Janet, I'm glad you enjoyed this one.
Today is 11-11-2023, and I dispair at today's news where veterans and others are being told to not display poppies or medals in London as protesters usurp this solemn event. My grandfather (1st SA Infantry) served at the Somme and in Belgium, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Sadly, the action in which he was involved which led to this award were destroyed during WW2, but I have the London Gazette citation.
I was only 7 when he passed away (1963) but recall some of his war stories... he didn't like speaking about it too much according to my mother, but spoke of the grief of losing so many comrades, and the feeling of guilt for being spared while many others were not so lucky.
I visited the Somme (mainly Delville Wood where my Grandfather saw action) and the numerous cemeteries and memorials leave one subdued and respectful.
Today, my company has an engraving division and one of our products is a British Forces Military Dogtag set, comprising two stainless steel discs on chains - just as you describe.
When we engrave them, I think of my Grand-dad and all who served, and of course those who serve us now. These men and women deserve our respect, support and admiration, and it is very, very distressing that today's memorial event in London has been viciously hijacked by people who have no respect whatsoever, and what's worse is that the authorities seem too afraid to do anything about it.
Thank you for this wonderful story. Every year, I make a reasonable donation to the British Legion and wear my poppy proudly - regardless of what anyone may think.
Seriously, no-one is telling anyone not to wear a poppy. I don't know where you heard that but it is malevolent mischief makers that are trying to stir up hate. A lot of it is instigated by 'bots' online and professional trolls (many from Russia) to stir up civil discord in the West. The main stream media, such as the Sun and Daily Fail, pick up on these tweets to get people enraged and to then click on their news page (click bait) and have a big argument in the comments section. Good for the trolls, good for the newspapers. Don't believe the BS.
I mean, have you ever seriously met someone (who is not mentally unstable) face-to-face, who told you not to wear a poppy?? Because I haven't and I wear one every year for my fallen ancestors.
Wonderful presentation.
Even now, when a body is found, it’s buried in one of the cemeteries rather than being brought home, despite the improvement in transportation.
The Americans still give families a choice about where their war dead are buried.
American singer Tony Bennett who passed recently was assigned to the US Graves Registration Unit when he first went Europe as a G.I.
No wonder he didn’t talk about it.
When WW1 ended the US government was going to leave all the bodies in Europe. Well, the US public erupted in rage and vented on the elected in Washington D.C. The War Dept did a 180 reversal and gave the families the option. I'd never heard of the whole affair until I started seeing ship's passenger lists of soldiers returning from France to the US in 1920. They were listed by division and other details just as a live soldier.
To the casual eye the lists look like a normal shipload of soldiers until you notice some details are different.
"In Flanders fields the poppies grow, White crosses standing, row on row;"
... ...
"They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;
But, In the morning; and at the going-down of the sun:
We WILL Remember Them:
We Will Remember THEM."
--- And as My Australian cousins will always add:
( as, should we Kiwis ): "Lest We Forget."
...
Proud Grandson of an ANZAC,
and with deep and humble Respect to my Australian cousins;
Uyraell, New Zealand.
These videos are of unpathomable worth to me. Since I'm from a younger generation, I don't have the personal connection to these stories, locations and histories like your generation does. Keeping these stories alive by spreading them for newer generations to be heard is so incredibly important.
OMG... the fallen and these men who also went through horrible circumstances to recover them. God bless them all! Thank you so much for bringing us this information, Kevin. I love your videos.
A pleasure.
Thank you Kevin. Our dead should be remembered and honoured and this is well done. Thank you
I spent 2 weeks about 10 years ago with the War Graves Commission, whereby a group of German youths came over to Cannock Chase in Staffordshire for a few weeks to tend the graves and learn a bit more about some of the people and their stories. This also involved building international relationships and understanding.
The following year I attended an international event for 2 weeks in Bremen with participants from over 10 countries, a brilliant learning experience and something I won't forget any time soon!
This is such a beautifully done video. The weight of the responsibility to bury and identify the dead must have been tremendous. My oldest son was given two dog tags. When he deployed he gave me one of them. I still have it.
Thank you for sharing and making this record. I wish the current government cared as much about the country and monuments that reflect the amazing British accomplishments. Terrorists with hammers could destroy it all. So scary.
My darling grandfather was a tank driver at Monte Cassino, Italy during WWll, he stayed on after the war to help bury the dead. A legend!!!
Hi from NZ 😊
Thank you Kevin. Very moving. My maternal grandfather was an Old Contemptible, wounded four times during the war and my paternal grandfather's cousin was killed while he slept near Pozierres on the Somme. I've visited his grave whenever I've been near there.
Your maternal grandfather was an Old Contemptible ? Then you must be proud of him, these guys were true heroes and gave Germans a real run for their money after being insulted. My grand-uncle was also here since the very first days of this war, and who knows if he fought or not with your ancestor... unfortunately, he was reported missing in action in june 1916 in Verdun, and never seen again
Wonderful to hear you have some sort of knowledge of servicemen in your family who fought in the Great War. Pardon me for asking, but do you know anything else about these two family members?
@@wolfthegreat87 My maternal grandfather was William Thomas Vincent Tiffen. He had been in the South Wales Borderers in the early years of the twentieth century and had served in India and South Africa. He was discharged in Quetta in 1908 but re-engaged in 1913 by which time he was a married man with two small children. He was awarded the Military Medal in he last week of the war probably for an action in which he fought in September 1918.
My grandfather's cousin was David John Brutus Davies who was living in Canada when the war broke out. He joined the Canadian Army in December 1914 and was sent to the guns having previously served with Royal Field Artillery, probably a territorial regiment. He was killed by a shell as he slept alongside a dozen or so of his colleagues. Only a few were identifiable.
My paternal grandfather, George Ivor José Davis, a telephone engineer, served in the Royal Engineers installing telephones in the trenches.
@@wolfthegreat87 My maternal grandfather, William Thomas Vincent Tiffen, joined the army in the late nineteenth century, after he'd finished his coach painting apprenticeship. His father had been a professional soldier, sometime colour sergeant in the Yorks and Lancs Regiment. I suspect that he persuaded my grandfather to get a trade before joining the army. He was in the South Wales Borderers and served in South Africa and India before being discharged in Quetta in 1908. By 1913 he was married with two chidren to support. Times must have been hard because he walked the 74 miles (119 kilometres) from Shrewsbury to Brecon to rejoin his regiment. His battalion landed in France in August 1914 and was involved in the Retreat from Mons and the First Battle of Ypres. He entered theatre in November 1914. Quite why he was held back no-one knows. Illness or perhaps he was involved training recruits? During the war he was wounded four times including being wounded in the chin by a bayonet. He was awarded the Military Medal in the last week of the war probably for some action on 19th September 1918 by which time he had been transferred to the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment.
My paternal grandfather's cousin, David John Brutus Davies, born in Aberystwith in 1887, was living in Canada when the war broke out. He joined the Canadian Army on 29th December 1914 when the war was obviously not going to be over by Christmas! The Canadian government has put all of the WW1 attestation papers on-line.On attestation he stated that he had served in the Royal Field Artillery for four years, possibly a territorial battery, so he was sent to the guns. On 3rd November 1916 was killed in his sleep by a shell which killed another twelve of his comrades. Only three or four of them, including my grandfather's cousin, were recognisable and they are buried next to each other at Pozieres. His mother wrote a brief biography of the boy which was printed in the Western Mail but she had to pretend to be the boy's uncle because he was born illegitimate and there was considerable stigma against single mothers in those days.
My paternal grandfather George Ivor José Davis was what we would now call a telecommunications engineer. He joined up in October 1914 shortly before his twentieth birthday and served with the Royal Engineers. He always used to say that he was the same weight at sixty-five as he was at nineteen. Mind you he was a different shape!
Interestingly enough I found out recently a relative of mine was re buried three times after being KIA in the New Guinea campaign in 1944. His remains now lay in the war cemetery in Lae, PNG. Thanks to CWGC for their dedication and hard work.
My wife and I visit Sir Fabian’s grave in Amberly every year . Amazing man thanks for posting on you tube
US vet. Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq. What the recovery teams went through, in my opinion, was worse than combat. I'm sure they had PTSD from that gruesome job. Hats off to our BEF cousins. Bless you all.
Thanks for this, Kevin. I have often searched the records of the CWGC and marvelled at their grim task and how well they have done it. Until seeing your video, I hadn't known the history of the commission and how it got started. Your work really puts flesh on the bones of history. John
Cheers John 👍
It is really sobering to think of the scale of the Great War and the many men who remain without proper graves lost out there. The men who worked to get the first half out probably knew some of those they were finding. And the mission to bring them home is often a forgotten part. After the battle has passed, the bodies need to be found and named. With so many left to be found I am sure there will be many not found for centuries.
Last year near me they found 14 bodies from the battle of Camden (Revolutionary War 1780) who were 12 Continentals, 1 British regular (Scottish man) and 1 Loyalist. Over 250 years and with much smaller numbers fighting, and we are still finding their remains. (They were 12 to 14 inches under the ground, and a few were damaged by modern plows) I think though they might not be thought of often, those who find them and give them a proper burial serve a noble cause.
To the day when all lost soldiers may be at peace with their names known.
God bless the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. My grandfather's younger brother was serving in a Pioneer Company in the 62nd Infantry Division (BEF) when they attacked the German lines on Tuesday, 5 November 1918. He was killed by a barrage . The Commission was able to tell me that he is buried at the Ruesnes Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. He had survived a year in France, only to die less than a week before the armistice. Please remember Private Abram Hughes.
Blimy Kev...you always do a proper job and bring such important information to the fore. I've never heard of this chap, despite visiting Tynecot 3 times. A place I will not visit again...its just to much to bare. I take friends, but remain outside ....sorry, its just overwhelming. Others I've still yet to visit, like Normandy this year on my motorcycle. My dad was a Desert Rat, actually RASC, but lived like a rat for 2 years! He told me stories of the LRDG... that I will never forget and he only dropped them off...and waited. Most returned, but some didn't...those guys scared him, probably as much as the Germans! My dad, my hero!! Thank you, for your channel and bringing this incredible information to everyone!!
Enjoy Normandy. My uncle is buried at Saint Manvieu cemetary. 👍🏻
Your real and genuine passion for your subject is breathtaking, you make standard TV look pathetic and patronising. Thank you for everything you have ever produced.
How lovely of you Mike, thanks 👍🏻
Serbia is full of cemeteries from the first and second Balkan wars and WW1 and WW2, and almost every church at the entrance have a marble plaque with a list of fallen soldiers from that parish. Serbia lost 50 percent of men in WW1.
Almost all of my grandfathers and their sons fought and died in those wars, but I always wondered how many soldiers there were like one of my grandfathers. His name was Mihailo Savić, he and four of his brothers were mobilized in 1912 at the beginning of the first Balkan war, and were demobilized in 1919, they were in the fifth cavalry regiment of the Drina division and participated in countless battles, and not one of the five was seriously wounded for all 7 years of the war. Is it possible to find out how many soldiers there were who were in a similar situation, that they served the entire war and returned home physically unharmed (it must also be very rare that the five brothers experienced such a thing).
When I lived in Tanzania I came across a commonwealth war cemetery quite by accident while walking through Dar es salaam.
As part of the first word war took place in East Africa.
Kenya was British and Tanganyika was German east Africa.
It was immaculate.
Perfectly manicured lawns and flowering trees and shrubs. A haven of peace in the midst of a third world city.
Some of the headstones even had German names and dated 1918.
The chaps cutting the grass said they were employed by the commonwealth war graves commission.
I have heard nightmarish stories of 4 strong corpsmen struggling to carry 1 man on a stretcher through the mud of Passschendaele and completely exhausted by the effort.
The war cemeteries, when I visited them many years ago are both dignified and beautiful (the amount of headstones are very discouraging) when compared to the bleak cold cemeteries of the Germans. The work of those that recovered the dead, as important as it was, must have been a grim job. It was also very dangerous due to all the unexploded ordnance. I know of one incident where the recovery team took a tea break, started a small fire and were blown to bits because the fire unfortunately was built over an unexploded shell.
What I found depressing, as I signed the visitor books (I was only at Vimy Ridge Memorial and Canadian war cemeteries) at one small remote Canadian cemetery,….was the small amount of visitors recorded in the book. This was in 1982 and the previous signature was dated from the early 1970’s. I waited until Armistice Day/Remembrance Day to watch this particular video of yours.
What leaves me angry and bitter were the men executed at dawn for cowardice….desertion, not going over the top or leaving their post. Some of these poor young men had endured several engagements already, the constant shelling and horrific conditions of the trenches, They were anything but cowards, every man has his breaking point, to label them cowards and execute them was a disgrace. I understand the reason why it was done, to maintain discipline but this was so unjustified. I can’t imagine how the family felt when they received the telegram informing them of their loved ones death. The loss was bad enough but to find out your husband, father, son, brother was shot by firing squad adds insult to injury. Sorry for getting off topic, as a veteran, this has always bothered me!
Sincerely,
Doc
PS., the only Canadian soldier I know of that was repatriated was Lt. William Drury. His mother requested his body be returned, was denied permission so she hired several men, and recovered her son’s body at night, shipped it back to Canada. He is now buried in a Toronto cemetery. His mother is buried beside him. This is the only example I know of where a fallen soldier was returned home, however I’m sure there must be other such incidents.
Hi Doc, thanks for watching and your sincere comments. If you haven't already seen it, I did a video a while back about those that were 'shot at dawn', you'll find it in the WW1 playlist.
All the best,
Kevin
Your descriptions hit true. I'm a fan of JRR Tolkien, who served in world War one. Its clear where he gained his inspiration for the description of the Dead Marshes. A sodden swamp covering an ancient battlefield and burial ground.
That's for sure 👍🏻
Kevin is absolutely in top form when discussing the 'poor bloody infantry,' as it were. Thanks Kevin
The CWGC is an astonishing organisation
It must be an honour to work for them, the ultimate honour and privilege would be to give a fallen soldier back his identity.
Great to find out how it all started.
It was a stroke of genius to make all the grave stones the same
I met a teenage Marine in the hospital in Japan in 1968, he was in graves registration and his mind was shattered, his story in six words, "a shell hit the graves tent". It was the mentally shattered from Vietnam that has caused so much grief for me since that time. Thank you for this report, my great-uncle Paul O'Beirn was killed at St. Miheil on 26 September 1918, just a few weeks before the Armistice.
Thanks for watching and your comment. I've been to St Miheil, but didn't visit the cemetery there at the time.
Thank you. It brings home the real cost of the war/s. And the last man mentioned and how he died reminded me of the horror that the people go through when they go to war. You have made their lives and sacrifice that bit more real for me.
Wow Kevin, this one has emotionally got me😥 I've traced my great uncle who fell at the Battle of Arras, April 1917 and a distant cousin who fell in the 2nd Battle of the Somme, buried at Thiepval cemetery. There are a few more which I'll will research.... Well done Kevin for doing this🙏
My pleasure Mark 👍🏻
Excellent. I learnt so much. I’ve often wondered how the fallen were recorded. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an amazing organisation. Like many others, I have been to the cemeteries to pay respects to my relatives.
Lest we forget. Thank you for sharing this.
And that's just the people of who, they do not know where they were buried after they died. Lots of soldiers met their end through some exploside device that probably didn't even leave their dogtags in tact, if they had any.
War is crap and we need people like Kevin to remind us of just how crap it is, and how much courage people can have while they are in this crap. (and how little those who are pushed intop the crap have to do with the crap, it's always somebody else who wants to fight)
perfect story for Remembrance Day.
this story reminded me of something that occurred this past April in Camden, South Carolina: a lone British Army soldier from the 71st Highlanders was laid to rest in a proper grave after 242 years. He was discovered among 13 other soldiers, all but one of whom fought against him in the battle. He was given a proper burial with full military honors with a contingent from the Royal Highland Fusiliers coming over from Scotland to escort him to his new resting place. Despite being an enemy soldier, he was given a special coffin and laid with honor among his companions in battle
@@osakarose5612 sadly no, but it was countered with a full civilian and military escort, military band, colonial reenactor band, gun salute, and was witnessed and saluted by as the procession passed by as many off-duty military personnel at Fort Jackson as were able to attend.
maybe at the cemetery dedication they can be there
My paternal grandfather served in the RAMC in WW1 he physically survived, but the nightmares took hold, so he walked in to the sea in the 1950's. Looking at photos of him in uniform he was a strong athletic man, the last photo we have of him.. A shell of a man... PTSD is thankfully now a recognised medical illness and not brushed under the carpet.
A wonderful tribute to the men who performed such a sad but necessary job, in the name of humanity and respect. My initial amazement at the numbers I absorbed whilst I watched, has subsided somewhat. I take it that a single recovery unit consisted of 32 men, and that multiple units performed the recovery duties, instead of my first perception that the several hundred thousand lost souls were returned by a mere 32. As we age and move on, accessible reporting such as yours is vital to record instances of our human folly for subsequent generations who, hopefully will learn, without ever having to experience such horrors. The Great War was only a cosmic nanosecond, and a couple of generations ago, but I have ancestors resting in France. Their whereabouts both known and unknown. They are not buried in Australian or British ground, but we all live on the same planet, don't we?. Thanks for this clip. RIP to the fallen...Lest We Forget.
Looking sharp Kevin. Most appropriate for such a glorious story. The war graves commission do a splendid job. I have visited several of their sites in France and they are always in top notch condition. Very respectful
The Kipling Society had a article in Volume 97 No. 396 about not only HRH George V visit's to the cemeteries in France and Italy, but also another on Grave of John Kipling, and work done by the CWGC in 1992. The Society lays out how it might be Lieutenant Pakenham-Law. Great Story Kevin.
What an inspired gentleman, what an organisation, what a horrible task they had to do. But they did it, respect! 😔
Thank you RIP ALL
Thank you for teaching what most schools cover up/deny/gloss over. I've had hours and hours of joy watching each video. My grandfather would be proud (he was a prisoner of war at the age of 18 and watched many men die and be forgotten) thank you.
Great video Kev!! A huge undertaking to find so many dead and give them decent marked graves. I often think of the WWI troops, the Pal's brigades and the ones who joined to be issued with warm clothing and get 3 meals a day.....plus you get to see another country. And it will all be over by Christmas anyway!! The war to end all wars, then in 39 it kicked off again!! I remember watching "My boy Jack" about Kiplings son being missing and the daily routine of checking the photos of the dead to find him.
Keep these great videos coming Kev, you tell these things so well!!
Best wishes,
Dave.
Truly excellent presentation at the time when the tradition of the minutes silence is starting to lose its meaning this brings back its importance. The horror of having to recover bodies in ghastly condition shows how many who did this work have not been given any real thanks for their . service in the recovery. I thank you Kevin and them for their service ..Lest We Forget
Hope you had a Happy Veterans Day Kevin!!! Thank you for your military service and to the rest of our brothers and sisters who are currently serving or have served. God Bless you all and let us never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Let them rest in peace until we all reunited in paradise.
Thanks Derek, I kept busy at the museum on Saturday, distraction helps 👍🏻
I cannot begin to image the emotional stress this important work must have caused to those men who had to recover the bodies. Thank you to all those past, present and future staff of the GWGC to do such excellent work ensureing the graveyards are tended to the highest standards. One day I hope to Visit El Alamain to see the grave of my Grand Dad.
I enjoyed this video very much. It hard not to be emotional on what happened to these young men, the living and the dead.
Well done, Sir.
What a huge undertaking, and a very noble cause. Things you rarely think about, unfortunately. Thank you for reminding us of the unsung heroes doing such an enormous task! My Father was a career military man, he's now buried in Fort Sam National Cemetary in San Antonio, TX USA. He was once stationed in England, and I now have family in England as well. (I am a huge Anglophile after 2 visits, planning the next.) I've visited the Cambridge Cemetary, and was so moved, and impressed. Thank you for yet another fascinating video, a story that definitely needs to be told!
Happy veteran day Kevin have a blessed day
Thank you for going into such an important topic to give us another view of gratitude and being active on it. And that people to this day still look for the missing. It is a service unending. Veterans make life better in so many ways. A heartfelt Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day - a day set aside to really focus on what is ever presence in our lives and gratitude.
Such a moving story which deserves being taught in schools.
Thank you Kev for this touching film. Fascinating to hear how those who recovered the fallen went about their business.
My wifes grandad (Australian) served in France as an ambulance driver. Before he left France he ended up doing this horrific task of recovering bodies for identification and reburial.
Interestingly, he was one of the first on the scene of the Red Baron's downing.
He brought home a piece of red fabric from the ace's triplane. This souvenir remains in the family.
Wow, what a fabulous piece of memorabilia they have there, a lovely story, thanks 👍🏻
@thehistorysquad There is also a collection of letters he sent home along with many war scene postcards.
Also of interest, a piece of canvas from another downed german fighter.
The collection now rests with my brother in law.
We're hoping he will donate it to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
How lovely. @@lindsaybrown7357
Kevin, the procedure of sweeping the area for the remains sounds almost exactly like the process I was taught about twenty years ago. Our focus was on aircraft crashes, though.
Thankfully, I was never called upon to use this training.
Thank you for shining a light on this often overlooked topic.
Moved beyond tears with gratitude every year on Rememberance Day, this amazing video is so moving and fascinating. Thank you Kevin, for your service and for all that you do. You are a true legend ❤
That's very kind of you.
Kevin,Thank you very much for putting this video together. I have not seen this subject covered until now.
I visited the Normandy war graves a few years ago and was very moved. I sought and visited the grave of an Indian RAF pilot who is buried in a churchyard in a small village. His Typhoon was shot down by ground fire. He rests in the only military grave in the church cemetery, which is now a CWGC place. The villagers tend his place of rest with great care and respect.
That's lovely to hear, thanks for commenting 👍🏻
Probably the most heartful episode. Thanks for sharing something so personally important to you. It reminds us our history isn't so long ago.
As always, excellent quality content about a theme that is a bit overlooked. Keep them coming!
Thank you to all of those who died fighting for freedom and those who found and still find, the dead of both wars.
I went to the military cemetery in New Caledonia , from New Zealand where a lot of allied personnel are resting in peace. The site was absolutely immaculate and so serene. Lest we forget.
I live in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and in the central cemetery there is area that contains the graves of fallen WW1 British soldiers, and they keep it immaculate, tomorrow the Bulgarian military will go and lay poppy wreaths out of respect, and today they will be doing the same in Sofia! may all the fallen rest in peace.
May Mighty God keep them Lest We Forget them Amen.
My great uncle was a Canadian volunteer in the RCAF he was then stationed in malta in 1942/43. My great uncle Warrant Officer ll Walter Yaholnitsky was reported bailing from his spitfire at 800(8000 feet reports vary) for un known reasons and was reported missing until 11 days later when his body washed up 70 miles away. He is buried on the island Malta. I wish I could have met him he's my inspiration for my collection and military passion. I have a pretty serious collection because of his and many other relatives of mine and so many others sacrifices.
7:12 i cried when you said this. So many men buried in France from both wars that are buried next to the men they fought with, not brought back home.
Firstly Kevin, 'Thank You For Your Service', & I hope you are enjoying your well earned retirement (sort of), in Canada.
As I am a fairly new subscriber to your channel, I am slowly going through your very interesting & factual vlogs regarding our history. However this one, I found most moving, how one man can make such a difference to so many peoples lives with regard to their Sons, paying the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving their Country.
The facts of Sir Fabian Ware's achievements Should be taught in schools, so as to inform today's youth of the sacrifices made by past youth's, that allow them to enjoy their freedom today. The vast majority will never know the special friendship shared by people who come to realise they can rely on their comrades they work with for their life. I served for 23years in the London Fire Brigade, so know this well, as do you.
So thank you for your contribution to our history, & I look forward to more from you in the future. Also, I would like to wish you & your family, long, healthy, & happy lives. Regards........Urban Geeze. ❤
Hi Urban, thanks very much for your comment and watching. Welcome to the channel. 👍🏻
What an important job, but it would have been bloody grim. I can't imagine those chaps would have slept very well for the rest of their lives. Thanks for yet another informative video Kevin.
Thank you. Love and peace. Tim
Ty Kevin.. I adore this channel and you Good Sir!
Thanks for the Wonderful Video. My Great Uncle Harry Thomas Sharp, is buried at Beny Sur Mer. His Nephew John Gibson Clarke (my Moms Cousin) is buried at Groesbeek. And I have a relative, Charles Elliot, memorialized at Tynne Cot. Charles Elliot was Killed on the Somme, and has no known grave. Incidentally, when I was at Tynne Cot, in a potato field beside the cemetary, I found the nose cone from a British artillery shell, and brought it home to Canada. RIP Brave Heroes... 💔💔💔
👍🏻 You can almost map the sorrow of families devastated by the Great War
I did know you was a veteran. I was in the riffles in Afghanistan. Lost a few good friends. God bless you on your work .
Thank you Kevin. The numbers you spoke of are absolutely staggering. This video certainly opened many eyes as well as many questions. Certainly would like to see a expanded video discussing it further . I assume many would like that as well. Renewing interest in our war dead and their eternal resting areas is certainly a noble mission. God Bless.
My surname is Hicks, my father came from Boston lincs, his father served in WW1 in France, as did my mother's father and uncles, my dad served in the RN 1943-46, on HMS Vigilant, served on Russian Convoys, served in the med and in the east Indies, and involved with 4 other destroyers in the sinking of a Japanese cruiser in 1945, enjoyed your video greatly wondered what happened to the fallen when the guns finally stopped that 11 hour, cheers from Australia, Lest We Forget
Thank you Kevin for telling this difficult true story. God bless
Sgt David Harkness Blakey whose body was found in 2014 was my Grandmother's brother.
I remember her talking with her Niece "Winney" about how they knew not what had happened to him as he was MIA after the Somme. Almost 100 years later he was found, but alas they had passed long before.
The Evening Chronicle, local paper did an article on this back in 2014.
"Lest we forget"
So sad they never found out what had happened to him, but it's lovely that he's been found and now rests in peace.
Kevin, you have my appreciation and respect.
Greetings from Canada
Thank you.
Thank you👏, Kevin, for your detailed and historical narrative on the English Servicemen/women who fought bravely and shed their blood for the honor of England during WW1/2👨✈👩✈. Your presentation is a perfect example of commemorating the glorious dead on Veteran's Day coming this Saturday. I admirably appreciate your formal attire that is appropriate in this video handsomely. Kevin Hicks, my good man. I salute you🙋♀.
Absolutely striking … thank you … and to the lads who performed this ghastly chore
Thanks for this video! R.I.P to all of the fallen soldiers.