Wigan Album

DTease. In June, 2014, for a short visit, I visited Bayeux British, and Commonwealth Military Cemetery, Normandy. For some reason, I do not know why, whilst walking along a long row of graves. I had to look down at the grave that I was passing. It was Pte. A. E. Short. Killed on 7th June, 1944. He had served in the Army Catering Corps. My name, and Initials. It seemed just beyond coincidental. There are over four thousand graves in this military cemetery. Why should my attention have to have been directed to this particular grave?.

A friend of mine sent in a beautiful photo of this cenotaph to photo-a-day a few months ago. It was taken in the sunset and was a truly lovely photo and a beautiful tribute "at the going down of the sun". Sadly, it wasn't used. I enjoy photo-a-day but it does seem to be a bit of a one-man-show sometimes.

Albert S : Albert we could all be linked subconsciously as we travel around this earth, some would say their was a reason, others would say pure coincidence. The main thing is how you felt when you read it, did it make you have some grievances about it, or did you think their for the grace of God go I.
My old dad once said to me, Son when you go through life's daily grind, keep going forward, don't look back to much, life's for living Albert.

John.G. In the first place I was astounded, then the feeling of a kind of peacefulness. I have no reason to think that he had any connection with Wigan, nor would anyone else have have any idea that he did not have any connection with Wigan. I do know that he suffered the ultimate price, in that he gave his life for his Country, including Wigan. Rest in perpetual happiness, and peace, brave soldier.

Albert S: The way you have described the event that you experienced you have found some kind of inner peace, not just with the soldier but with yourself.So that tells me Albert that you were already in tune with the magnitude of your walk around the cemetery, and what it really meant to you.I'am very happy that you experienced that Albert, I also had something similar when I walked around the battle fields.

Some years ago I went with a friend to the CWG at Anzio,my dad served in that campaign but survived. We went into the visitors area and looked at the list of the interred. The top one was a lad from Abram, my Dad's home town. I did always wonder if they knew each other.

John.G. Trying not to sound morbid. As a ten year old school boy, at the end of May, 1944. Waving to the lorry loads of troops, as the convoy moved slowly south, in awful rainy weather. It took a full evening, a night, and the majority of the next day for the convoy to pass. I have thought on many an occasion, as to how many of those soldiers’ that I waved to, never returned. No one knew then, what a momentous event was soon to take place.

Aspull being a small place and all the families intertwined by marriage, every death recorded here must have been felt as keenly by everyone like losing one of their own. Multiply Aspull by thousands of other small towns and villages all over the country and it’s easy to understand why we still remember them a century later.

And beyond the shores of our own country too DTease. The massive sacrifices by the gallant Americans on Omaha beach was ....well words just fail sometimes.

Poet. Without the American’s participation in the D,day landings, such a massive enterprise couldn’t have been undertaken, nor even considered. Their Normandy military cemeteries, are also, sorrowfully, extremely large.

That is a lovely story Albert. I have felt that 'they' know when people visit the war graves. In my case it was the 1st WW graves at Dickebusch when I found my grandfather's younger brother's grave. Among the long line of graves was one with a rose in full bloom and it was his. Nobody in my family that I know of visited there but myself. It was very emotional.

I met a group of American teachers with their charges ( very well behaved) who were going on to the Battlefields after visiting Ireland in the week. One of the teachers was telling me he wanted to see 'Bloody' Omaha where a relative of his had died. Such nice Americans they were and very friendly and deeply respectful.

Veronica. Did you go to specifically to see that grave, or did you come across the grave for no apparent reason?. No matter what reason. Wonderful moments to savour.

I booked a trip to the WW1 Battlefields Albert but did not expect to see the grave as it was off the beaten track. Another couple were seeking a relative's grave at Poperinge and they said I could share a taxi with them. They and the Belgian taxi driver were very helpful in finding the Cemetry. I have photographs of the occasion. Very emotional as I also had a photo of my grt Uncle.

I bow to you my fallen ,
The privilege you gave to me
The freedom now accepted
Came from no where else but thee

My bow it falters greatly ,
But my need to not forget ,
will never cut the glow
of those who stood and met .

My wife and I went to Poperinge in 2017 to find the grave of my great Uncle who had been killed exactly 100 years ago, aged 20. We had an itenary for the day which would see us visiting Dunkirk and the holding station in which he was treated before he died. We decided to change the timetable and go to Dunkirk first, then onto 9 Elms British Cemetery on the outskirts of Poperinge. Whilst at my Great Uncle's headstone laying a wreath, I was having a moment of reflection, to be there 100 years to the day, when I was approached by a gent who had been sat in his car at the cemetery wall. He asked me had I just been to that grave and what my relation to him was. I said he was my Great uncle, and his reply, he's mine too. Turns out he is my half cousin I had never met before that day. And we're still in touch. Coincidence or what. In 2018 we returned to Ypres in November for the parade and service at the Menin gate. To be there at 11:00 on November 11th listening to a lone pipers' lament, the square packed with all nationalities and you could hear a pin drop, very very moving.

Lovely story WN1Standisher. I believe these occurrences are much more than coincidental. It just had to be that your cousin was visiting the same grave, at the exact time, that you were visiting the grave.

I agree Albert, but if we had stuck to the original plan we'd have been on the French coast in the afternoon at Dunkirk. Was great to be there at the same time as I thought up to that point no other family members had been over to 9 Elms. Great memories.

WN1 Standishirre. Your story is so intriguing, I should like to copy it if I may for my blog.. I would ensure that your identity is omitted.

I'm fine with that Albert, as I said it was a very memorable and moving visit. Please copy what you want to. If you need any more info, just ask ;) What was poignant was when we first visited the Menin Gate, how many of his comrades from his regiment, the 4th Battalion, Kings Liverpool where on the monument, just their names recorded, never found.

Thank you WN1Standisher for giving me permission to copy your intriguing encounter with your second cousin. I wish each of you good fortune, in the future.

Thank you Albert, you are most welcome. Take care