Died on All Hallows' Eve 1917

 

 

We recently visited Carnforth Railway's Heritage Centre in Lancashire,

where this display was exhibited in honour of the local men

who had fought in the Great War.

 

Henry Gardner was killed in an enemy Air Raid on 31st October 1917 in Belgium

during the First World War. His grave is in the Solferino Farm Cemetery, Ieper West~Vlaanderen. He was a Sapper, official number 265578 in the Army with the 22nd Light Railway Operating Coy, Royal Engineers. He died in his 21st year and was the son of Edwar and Ann Gardener of 14 King Street, Carnforth, Lancashire.

 

 

A photograph of Henry's War Grave was sent to his Father.  

 

 

Photograph by War Graves Photograph volunteer: Rudy van Kerckhoven

 

 

 Henry's name appears on the Role of Honour on the War memorial,

opposite the Railway station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unknown ~ Lost, But Not Forgotten

I often shed tears when I discover something particularly heart-breaking, as I make my way through the stones in the Sleeping Gardens of Churchyards and Cemeteries.

A Seaman

Of The Great War

Royal Navy

7th November 1914

Known Unto God

A Sailor

Of The Second World War

Merchant Navy

23rd December 1939

Known Unto God

In the Churchyard of St. Peter and Paul in Aldeburgh in Suffolk, I discovered the War graves of these young men who had laid down their lives for their Country. Both of them a Mother's Son, whose loved ones and friends, had surely grieved for, and missed them. For they never knew what had become of them, or even where they were finally laid to rest.

I trust they are now Re-united.

Arlesey War Memorial

This is the War memorial in Arlesey, Bedfordshire. It lists the men of this village that gave their lives during both the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Here is a link to more information and further details of those men listed on this monument and of the other war graves within the churchyard of St. Peters, which is just opposite.

For King and Country

Here are two war grave markers from the same family and they span both the First and Second World Wars, the main headstone would have been chosen by the family and depicts a fallen soldier, the crown above it can symbolise the sovereignty of the Lord and may also denote a Christian Martyr. The two letters at either side of the relief are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and the End.

The front headstone has come from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and this uniform shape and style, ensured that all those who gave their life for their country, would be remembered equally.

  

Main headstone

Greater Love hath no man than this

that a man lay down his life for his friends

To the memory of 

Alan Tweedie-Smith Lieut. 1st Queens Royal West Surreys

who was killed at the battle of Loos, France

on the 13th October 1915

aged 21 years

and of

Douglas Tweedie-Smith Lieut. Royal Flying Corps

who died on 10th day of April 1916

after an aeroplane accident at St. Omer, France

aged 19 years

Front headstone

Captain J. P. Tweedie-Smith

'Val'

The Essex Regiment

7th February 1940 age 32

~ the J.P. stand for John Percival ~