General Chat

From what I understood from the news reports, the CWGC have bought the land where they are now, so a permanent war cemetary will be set up, in the same way as the other war cemetaries, once the bodies are excavated and the ground is cleared.

There will be a headstone for each soldier buried, named if they can identify them.

I understand that too, Sue - my great uncle was missing presumed killed and is remembered on a memorial in Belgium. Someone very kindly took photos of the memorial and of my uncle's inscribed name last year. It really meant a lot to my dad and me. But if it came to the mass graves being excavated I would object. He's lain in peace for ninety years and the soul is flown as it were. I want to take Dad there one day.

That's going to be a massive undertaking. I've also signed up for the newsletter R/Bear and I'll follow the progress with interest.

Sue x

re buired in France i think, with a headstone for each one.

Will the bodies that are excavated be brought back to the UK or left in France and buried in a war cemetary?

Sue x

Its a tough one this, should or shouldn't they excavate, i once traced the crew of a Lancaster bomber, 3 of the 7 crew missing belived to still be in the aircraft, they found the aircraft at the bottom of a lake in Holland, but before they could raise it they had to get permission from the 3 families of the missing crew, not quite the same but they could have left it at the bottom of the lake and named as a war grave site.

Again I do see your point, Uggs. I do think I would want to know. A very kind man in Belgium sent me a photo of my great grandfather's grave in France and the grave of another more distant relative also France. Long forgotten as my mother knew nothing about her grandfather. No less honoured I agree but I feel it was important for me to know where he is and I intend visiting him one day.

Sue x

No, Sue I don't think so. I have a great grandfather and a great uncle buried out there in foreign fields somewhere, although only the loss of the latter impacted on my life in any way - before I looked to see where it was, I did wonder and personally I'm sure I wouldn't want his remains disturbed. He's no less honoured for the lack of identification and a decent burial.

But wouldn't you want to know Uggers if one of the soldiers was yours? I would but I do see your point.

Sue x

All those families that never were. Young girls in villages and towns that never married because there weren't enough young men. My father spoke of his father's cousin being broken hearted because her young man didn't come home and she died aged 86 - a spinster. Parents who lost not just one son but two or more. Women who lost husbands and sons. My great grandfather died in 1916 leaving behind his wife and two little girls - one being my gran aged 3.

Sue x

:¬)))) Thanks Sue... it would be worse having a child in the forces... I was devastated when one of mine wanted to join, as I knew only too well..... fortunately, University called, lol!!

Love

Daff xxxxx

I heard about this some time ago. I feel, not very strongly, that it's a shame to disturb the remains after so many years.

Just thinking about this, most of these men would be only 18 to 20 so most of them would not have married or had children, they would have course have brothers and sisters, so i would think they will be great uncles to peeps living today.

I received my grandads marrage cert this week, he was in France WW1, married 1917 as a soldier, so he must have married when on leave from the war.

No no no - I didn't mean your post about DNA Daff. I was having a laugh at myself and with Running Bear 'cos I put up so many websites. Sorry I should have explained. I fully agree with the DNA testing for the sake of the families - they have the right to know if their relatives are there. I have a son in the army and I would want to know. Sorry again - truly you did not offend me.

Sue xx

I am sorry if I have offended you SueMaid... I forget that some haven't had to live with the fact that DNA testing might be the only way of identifying loved ones' remains... hubby was a soldier for 34 years and went to all the worlds hotspots. You either learn to live with it or go under!! I have always been aware that this might happen... two friends of ours needed to be identified in this way a few years ago.

I will remove my posts if they offend... not my intention at all!

Love

Daff xxxx

What is Sue? The DNA testing?

They would have to do that in an attempt at giving them a proper marked grave, otherwise, they may as well just leave them there as they are, without a decent burial and honoured in the way they should be honoured.

There have been some detialed reports on the news over here, and the absolute promise that each individual soldier will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

Sorry - too much info?

Sue

I think that DNA testing is being carried out on them in the hope that they can be identified at last, and given a proper military funeral, with full honours, as TW has said... I know that if it had been my husband, I'd have wanted to go to a place that was HIS resting place to lay flowers and *chat* to him, not a mass grave where he may or may not have his remains buried.

God bless them all.

Love

Daff xxx

thanks already, looked at the sites and subscrided to the news letter, so that should keep me updated.

And this is the page with the lists of soldiers who may be buried there.

http://www.cwgc.org/fromelles/?page=english/the-project/lists/casualty_lists

Sue x