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| Lest We Forget- Short and Complete http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9359 |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Tomorrow is ANZAC day in Australia, which is like Remembrance Day in the UK. It commemorates the first day, the battle at Gallipoli started. I know the character wasn't Australian, but wanted to write this for ANZAC Day anyway Dear Mrs Maples, I regret to inform you your husband died earlier today. I cannot imagine how much he means to you or how difficult your loss will be, but I wanted you to know, how courageous he was. He knew before I did that he was losing the battle for life. And through it all, he always found something to laugh about and to cheer up those around him. I know it is of little comfort, but I wanted you to know, how much your husband meant to the people here; and how much he will be missed.... Dear Sir Piers & Lady Willoughby, I regret to inform you that your son Timothy died today. He fought gallantly in battle, as he did in death.... Dear Joshua, I hope you forgive me for calling you by your first name, but your fiancé spoke of you so often, that I feel like you are an old friend. I regret to inform you that your fiancé Nurse Sarah Robertson died today. Our ship was attacked, and through the battle Nurse Robertson –Sarah continued to protect her patients, with courage, patience and good humour. I never met anyone I have admired more, for her selfless courage and her determination to ensure the men she nursed were safe. I don’t know how many times she lifted our spirits or reminded us exactly what we were fighting for. She was the mother and sisters and sweethearts we all left behind. She spoke of you often and I don’t think there was a man on board who would not have willingly given their life for her..... Dear Emily, You Daddy asked me to send you this card with so much of his love. He missed you so much and his last thoughts were of you and even though he knew he would see your Mummy in Heaven, he knew he would miss you. He told me you were the best daughter a man could ever have and how much he wished he could be there to watch you grow up..... In the quietness of his study, Jack Maynard rubbed his eyes wearily, and took a large swallow of his whiskey. How many of those letters had he written during the War; far too many to remember and far too many to forget? He sighed. All that death seemed so senseless now –and yet they had been fighting for something so real and so evil, that it seemed no sacrifice was too great. “How did I survive, when you all died?” asked Jack of the night. It didn’t seem fair. All he could do was to try and save as many lives as he could, to make up for all those he couldn’t save. “I won’t forget you,” he whispered, staring out into inky darkness. “I’ll make it up for failing you. I won’t let anyone else die, I promise.” |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thank you, Fiona. They must have been difficult letters for Jack to write. |
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| Author: | chris84 [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thank you Fiona. |
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| Author: | honey lamb [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 12:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
That was very moving. Thank you, Fiona |
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| Author: | Beecharmer [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Very moving and appropriate for the day. Thank you. |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thanks, those letters must have been and still be so difficult for senior officers and the medical officers to write. |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thankyou. |
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| Author: | MaryR [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
You mustn't feel guilty that you survived, Jack, but make sure you live the life you still have. Live it, also, for all those who died. Thank you, Fiona. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Writing and receiving letters of this nature has always been, and continues to be, a hard part of war, and I'm sure that Jack's letters will bring comfort to those who had to receive them. Thank you, Fiona for this timely reminder of the Australian involvement and losses in World War I. |
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| Author: | Eleanore [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 3:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Fiona, that was sad but so beautiful too, and an interesting perspective on Jack as well - thank you. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thank you, Fiona. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
That was horribly sad; poor Jack, what a terrible task. Thanks, Fiona. |
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| Author: | Vick [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thank you Fiona. A timely reminder that things happen at different times across the world. |
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| Author: | Sugar [ Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
So sad, so many lives lost but so many left to mourn |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thank you, Fiona. |
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| Author: | jayj [ Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thanks, Fiona - poor Jack. |
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| Author: | whitequeen [ Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
What a horrible thing to have to do, but I like how he's tried to make each one personal and not just a generic letter. |
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| Author: | Miss Di [ Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
The Ode 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. Thank you Fiona, I always cry during ANZAC Day services |
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| Author: | Carolyn P [ Thu May 05, 2011 8:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Lest We Forget- Short and Complete |
Thank you Fiona, that was so moving. |
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