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Archiver > STAFFORDSHIRE > 2006-04 > 1145868604


From: "Charles" <>
Subject: Re: [STS] Gallipoli
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:50:04 +0900
References: <005b01c66765$d53dc1f0$35aa443d@bevm8hoyk0dh9j> <000a01c66771$eee22040$39d004dc@inspiron> <004e01c66773$cb5541a0$a2456f51@oemcomputer> <003701c66776$229cefb0$39d004dc@inspiron> <4e1c8003c6famhist@dsl.pipex.com>


Hi Chris,
My grandad EVANS was also gassed at the Somme and died in 1942 but was never
a well man. My grandmother used to tell me he would sometimes sleep walk
and would scream. He had a sword stick and they had to hide it from him
just in case. After the Somme he went to a hospital and then was
transferred to training and became a sergeant and master PE instructor.

My grandad GUNTHER joined up but was considered too old and was put in a
battalion that acted as a kind of Home Guard in East Anglia, though he was
actual from North Wales. However, more or less all his brothers served on
active duty, John was in the artillery in France, Archie, Ned and Dave were
in Gallipoli, and so on - 8 brothers in all.

My grandfather's sister Mary married a Robert JONES, who had been a hero
(medal and all) during the War. However, it effected his brain and he
suffered from blackout. Kids used to laugh at him and call him "Sleepy Bob"
before he died in 1939.

Yes, something was learned from Gallipoli but nothing seems to have been
learned in general. Many blamed Churchill for the disaster of Gallipoli but
the War itself wasn't well organised and so many died. Personally I believe
the First War could have been avoided - not so the Second and other since
are a matter of opinion.

Best wishes,
Charles

----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 5:26 PM
Subject: Re: [STS] Gallipoli


> On 24 Apr, Charles <> wrote:
>> I guess we will never forget the loses but I always think of how
>> governments seemed to have learned nothing from the deaths of so many.
>
> I'd agree, except if you read Churchill's biographies, Gallipoli and its
> deaths and destruction played on his mind until his death. It is why he
> was
> so intent on being properly prepared for things like D-day (the Yanks
> would
> have just gone without the Mulberry harbours if he hadn't insisted on
> their
> development and use). It was why he could make the "I have nothing to
> promise but" speech with such intensity - he knew and meant every word
> because of Gallipoli. He was, at one stage, threatened by the Admirals of
> the Navy with their resignation en bloc because they saw his concern as
> interference. This can all be traced back to Gallipoli.
>
> (As an aside, Eric Bogle, an Aussie, wrote a song called "The Band Played
> Waltzing Matilda" which is such a moving song, that no radio station will
> play it when it should be played - on Anzac Day, or even Remembrance Day.)
>
> I didn't have, as far as I can find out, any family member at Gallipoli,
> nor did I have any family member who died in WW1 (but I've only been
> researching for 5 years). However, my grandad Barratt was gassed at the
> Somme and died some 30 years later of the effects of that gas. The victims
> of that war didn't all die at the time.
>
> --
> Chris Ramsbottom
> researching:
>
> BARRATT, DANCER, FELLOWS, GOODES, ROBINSON, TUCKLEY, WHEWAY
> MAHER
>
> all in and around Birmingham/Smethwick, 1850 to present day
>
>
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