Eternal Refuge

This week's challenge on photo_scavenger is "Military"

Most of you know that I have followed one of my Grandfather's footsteps during WWI.

However, I have a second Grandfather!

He served from the end of WWI and into the mid 20's, and then was in the reserves until the mid 30's. In 1923 he wasn't well and spent some time in convalescence, and so he started this picture of his regimental badge. After he married, my grandmother finished it. She gave it to me and I had it framed, and it now hangs on my hall wall.



Yes, he was in The Coldstream Guards.

In fact, the way my grandparents met was "brilliant". My Grandmother & her friend had taken a day off work (they both lost their job over this), and went up to "town". They were in Trafalgar Square and saw two soldiers marching across the area ... apparently my Grandmother said to her friend that she really fancied one of the men ... so they deliberately stopped them, and chatted them up. They were late back to guard duty at Buckingham Palace, and got in serious trouble ... however, my grandparents had a "date" booked for the coming weekend!!!!

For the English, I shall add that Grandma was an Essex Girl ... so I think she may have invented the phrase!!!!

Sadly he had a serious stroke when I was 4, although he didn't die for 10 years, I never knew him as a person. Mum & Dad assured me that he was a really lovely gentleman.

So there we are - I managed to answer the prompt, and remember a bit of family history.

You can tell that nothing else is really happening her today. Although I have already had a walk, so that's positive.

Right, I shall see what you are all up to, but before that -






6. How often do you write a cheque (check) to pay for something these days?
Last year I wrote one. One of the charities I support still prefers cheques.






Catch up soon x

Giro was a German shepherd that belonged to the German ambassador to the United Kingdom, Leopold von Hoesch. As, by this time, the German government was under Adolf Hitler, it has been described as Britain's only Nazi memorial. Flowers are put on Giro's tombstone every February

"Giro"
Ein Treuer Begleiter
London Im Februar 1934
Hoesch.

EN: "Giro"
A faithful companion!
London in February 1934.
Hoesch.






It isn't far from St James park ... which brings back great memories as while at college we usually had our lunch there, so 4 years of good memories.





Memorial to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth


Back in 1979 we were evacuated from the building that we were using for our college due to a Bomb Scare from theI IRA.  I walked to Westminster Abbey, and in the ground between that and St Margaret's the Field of Remembrance was set up by the Royal British Legion.  Afetr that I went every year I lived in Essex (used to meet up with a couple of WWII veterans).  And, every November I have been to London I have been back -








Granddad C (and my 2 veteran friends) served in the Northamptonshire Regt

Granddad W served in the Coldstream Guards between the 2 wars

Dad served in the Home Guard durung much of the war.

There is one advantage to being at home this morning - I was able to watch the Anniversary Service of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior 100 years ago this morning. Due to restrictions there were so few there (the Queen had been asked not to attend, and did her own private ceremony last week) - but despite everything, the day was not forgotten.

For those who don't know the history of the grave, then here is a link at the National Army Museum link

And, here is actual news footage -



Now for me there is a true possibility of an actual link.

The Grenediar Guards escorted the coffin from the coast, to London; and the Coldstream Guards escorted him from the station to the Abbey. However the Commander in charge of this stage noted that the coffin needed more than its flag on it (there was a replica sword incorperated on the actual coffin itself. But he wanted a tin helmet and a webbing belt - something all of the soldiers had worn. Now, this is where it becomes family ... my dad told me, that his dad had told him that it was his kit on the coffin. There is no mention of name in the archives, which is as it should be, but maybe it was Granddad's (I never knew him, as he was mentally seriously ill by the time I was 4).

So, whoever the soldier was I knew my Grandfathers ... but I do know of distant relatives lost. Claire's great-grandfather was lost with no known grave ... so maybe it was him?!

Whoever he warrior was, people who are lost in war, leave family & friends ... and should never be forgotten.

They shall grow not 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.

I thought I would cross-post my photo_scavenger pictures here. Not brilliant images, but just love the chance to share with you a couple of interesting stories. The prompts were sewing & embroidery.


As I mentioned to a couple of people when I commented on their "covers", yes, I did do a patchwork breadspread ... so now we have the prompt of sewing I can post it here.



The middle, pink, set is made from my summer school uniform when I was 12 ... most of the other pieces have memories linked to them as well.



I have done cross-stitch in the past, and must admit I have a couple that I need to finish at some point.  However this is the last one that Mum made.  She had made loads over the years, and quite a few gifts, including wedding presents to both Nick & Tim, and when she realised she was losing her sight she made this one for me.  One that she designed ... the ducks etc were from the calender picture of the year I was born!



However from Mum's point of view she always counted embroidery as something different.

This is one of many such things I have (including some beautiful table cloths), and was a hearth guard that she made while she was engaged, and when they got rid of the open fires it was turned into a picture.



And, for something totally different this (poor) picture was made by my grandfather in his off-duty time.  He served in the Coldstream Guards from 1920 - 1925, and was then in the reserves for a time

So much for starting a meme to help me to keep posting!! I am a couple of days out, so thought I would do three, to catch up.

3. Do you still talk to the first person you kissed?
N/A ... unless Jiffy (& Perry, & Misty) counts

4. Do you get on with your grandpa?
My Dad's father died when I was 14, but I didn't know him as he had a stroke that affected his brain when I was 4. He had been in the army for a few years, and apparantly as the years went along he loved working in Sunday School teaching, etc ... but sadly I was his oldest grandchild so he never had a chance to get to know the 3 of us.

My Mum's Father died when I was 17 ... he was a real gentleman. I loved him, and although he was Victorian, we got on very well. He was a very genuine person, and I wish I had been able to get to know him that bit better; although I do remember some of the chats I had with him, especially about WWI. He actually died on a Christmas Day, so that means we never forget the date!

5. What was your favourite cartoon as a kid?
Many of the shows I loved were not true cartoons ... yes, I am old enough to remember The Woodentops -


But my favourite cartoon is Whacky Races (here is the intro for those who don't know it) -

Between Trafalgar Square and Westminster is Whitehall.  Another site most of you see is the Cenotaph which is here.

As is Horseguards .... and the Guards memorial.  Both those items are "related" to my paternal grandfather.  He was in the Coldstream Guards from the end of WWI to the early 20's.



When the Cenotaph was dedicated, and the Unknown Warrior buried, some of his kit actually lay on the coffin, as one of a couple of soldiers.  For the Guards Memorial, the 5 models are actual men, and it was Granddad's best friend who was used as the model for the Coldstream Guard.

So, as you see a bit of unknown history, that makes these places even more important to me.



( Whitehall )


There are a few more photos here at PhotoBucket