We Will Remember Them

I've been thinking about my grandad this week. He's always in my mind when Armistice Day comes around, but especially so this year as his great great granddaughter, Izzy, has been been learning about World War 1, and I have been digging out some photos for her.

I don't remember him ever talking about the war, but he certainly saw a great deal of action. There was a rumour that he lied about his age so that he could enlist early. He served as a private (regimental number 637627) with the 22nd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish). 

In 1916, the 3rd Tyneside Scottish regiment fought at the Battle of the Somme where they went across 200 yards of No Man’s Land, resulting in 20 officers and 628 men were killed.

In 1917 they fought in the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August that year they fought at Hargicourt and in October they took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres at Broenbeek (Passchendaele).

In 1918 they were in action at the Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders, seeing action in the Battle of Estaires, Baillieul, Kemmel Ridge and Lys, suffering heavy losses. They finally fought in the Final Advance in Artois. Click here to find out more.

He was eventually Discharged under King's Regulations in 1919.

I never had a close relationship with my grandad, but recall he could be very entertaining, performing tricks at family parties. I remember him mostly though as someone who was somewhat withdrawn, morose and grumpy and I was rather wary of him. I never thought about it at the time, but looking back I think he was probably deeply traumatised by his wartime experiences. WW1 veterans were expected to return, pick up the pieces of their life and get on with it. Nowadays, we would recognise their trauma as complex PTSD and offer help.

Writing Prompts:

• How important for you is Armistice Day? Answer this question in your writing.
  
• Is there something you find difficult to talk about? Set a timer for six minutes and write about it if you can. 
• Do you have a family member or friend who you are particularly proud of for their bravery? Write about them.