I pause and wonder what was going through the soldiers’s minds on Nov 11 as word went out at 0530 that all hostilities were to cease at 1100 Hours. Sadly many soldiers from all sides died that morning hours and minutes before the official cease fire:
Last casualties
The news was quickly given to the armies during the morning of 11 November, but even after hearing that the armistice was due to start at 11:00, intense warfare continued right until the last minute. Many artillery units continued to fire on German targets to avoid having to haul away their spare ammunition. The Allies also wished to ensure that should fighting restart, they would be in the most favourable position. Consequently there were 10,944 casualties of which 2,738 men died on the last day of the war.[10]
Augustin Trébuchon was the last Frenchman to die when he was shot on his way to tell fellow soldiers that hot soup would be served after the ceasefire. He was killed at 10:45 am. The last British soldier to die, George Edwin Ellison of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, was killed earlier that morning at around 9:30 am while scouting on the outskirts of Mons, Belgium. The final Canadian, and Commonwealth, soldier to die, Private George Lawrence Price, was killed just two minutes before the armistice to the north of Mons at 10:58 am, to be recognized as one of the last killed with a monument to his name. And finally, American Henry Gunther is generally recognized as the last soldier killed in action in World War I. He was killed 60 seconds before the armistice came into force while charging astonished German troops who were aware the Armistice was nearly upon them.[
The last reported German casualty occurred after the 11 a.m. armistice. A Lieutenant Tomas, in the Meuse-Argonne sector, went to inform approaching American soldiers that he and his men would be vacating houses that they had been using as billets. However, he was shot by soldiers who had not been told about the ceasefire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_11,_1918
WW1 has been called the Great war, the war to end all wars. Sadly as we are all aware in the 92 years since that Fateful Nov 11, 1918. We have had many wars, and lost many of our youthful soldiers. Whether peace keeping in Africa, the Middle east, the Balkans or Asia, wars continue. We take this one day of the year to remember all of our men and women who have paid the ultimate price. Sadly the members of the Invisible Army are rarely remembered. I would dearly love to see a Remembrance Day ceremony where they are honoured for their sacrifice. The Loss of a Son, Daughter, Husband,Wife, Father or Mother is indeed reason for prayer. For those of you who have the Guardian Remembrance day supplement available. You will be able to read of Canada’s Invisible Army.
So as prayers are said , Wreaths are Laid and a moment of silence is acknowledge. Let us Remember all of our Fallen, and our Troops who are presently serving.
Stompin Tom recorded his Ballad of the Blue Beret in honour of Canadian Peacekeepers enjoy and Remember: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjDsCoSavTU&feature=BF&list=QL&index=1
PDF 1 from Mike Davis a Veteran on the wearing of the Poppy.
PDF 2 A Prayer for our Soldiers past and Present
A hearty Bravo Zulu to members and former members of Canada's Royal Canadian Regiment, who are going to Parade 1000 strong in Fredricton / Gagetown NB in honour of their Regiment and all who have paid the ultimate price.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
