Due to Covid, Sunday was the first opportunity I have have had to attend the local Remembrance Sunday ceremony at 11am as it didn’t run last year so despite having moved almost 2 years ago, this was the first time I got to witness it in person. I’d been to the memorial last summer and… Continue reading My first Remembrance Service at Bushey Memorial
Tag: Armistice
The Armistice – The end of The Great War, WW1.
The Great War ended much differently than the never-say- die desperation of the Nazis in WW2. In 1918, there was no likely imminent collapse of Germany though the deprivation and starvation of many in the country was startling. Even though there were mutinies in the ranks of the French, order was generally maintained and despite… Continue reading The Armistice – The end of The Great War, WW1.
Giving a public speech when you hate public speaking or My Remembrance Sunday Reading
People say to confront your fears and they will recede. Well I can definitely say that this is not the case. I’ve always hated flying and I’ve flown 37 times. Flight 37 was every bit as terrifying as flight 27, 17 and 7. I think everyone would agree I have given flying more than a… Continue reading Giving a public speech when you hate public speaking or My Remembrance Sunday Reading
The Last Post
It is one of the most evocative and moving pieces of music and as with every year, The Last Post will be played all over the world on Remembrance Day but its origins had nothing to do with mourning. The Last Post was first published in the 1790s, just one of the two dozen or… Continue reading The Last Post
Shot at dawn – Remembering those who bravely died as cowards
November 11th is Armistice Day and I thought I would write about an aspect of WW1 which is often forgotten, the sad stories of those who were shot by their own side. Over 300 Commonwealth soldiers were shot at dawn, a euphamism for being executed by their own side with 291 of them being British, 25… Continue reading Shot at dawn – Remembering those who bravely died as cowards
The incredible true tale of Job Maseko – The man who sunk a ship whilst a prisoner.
As today is Remembrance Sunday, I thought I would share a short account of someone who is rarely spoken of outside his homeland but whom I have been a fan of for many years. For most people when they are taken prisoner, their war is pretty much at the end, which is often a good… Continue reading The incredible true tale of Job Maseko – The man who sunk a ship whilst a prisoner.
Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough
Many of us are familiar with the phrase “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”, a quote that remains as true today as it was when it was first coined and is still evident by many politicians in particular around the world. Not so many people though are familiar with the equally if not… Continue reading Edith Cavell – Patriotism Is Not Enough
VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
The 8th May 1945 was V.E. Day or Victory in Europe Day. As the U.K. is in the midst of remembering and celebrating perhaps the most momentous day in our history, I thought it would be interesting to post some old photos of that incredible day as well as showing how war had left London and… Continue reading VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to the First World War (my new book)
I know what you’re thinking. Stephen can’t be releasing another book. I know, I know. I’m sorry. Long-time readers will know that I spend my summers giving guided tours and during winter I spend most of my time writing and it just so happens that it takes a certain amount of time for books to… Continue reading Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to the First World War (my new book)
Armistice Day – Remembrance Sunday
I am re-posting this article from last year as many of my reader won’t have seen it before and it is still one of the most viewed posts I have written. Sunday sees the third, final and probably by far the most important in the triumvirate of special days in the UK autumn calendar, Armistice… Continue reading Armistice Day – Remembrance Sunday
Stephen Liddell 