The Leader Remembers

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W e will remember them

As we approach the centenary of the end of the First World War, we hope that the tributes in the following pages will remind you of the debt of gratitude that we owe.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915 In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

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Message from Pastor Keith Brown, Chaplain of Spain North and of the Orihuela Costa and District Branch of The Royal British Legion On 13th November 2011 the Branch of which I am President and Chaplain, here on the Orihuela Costa, held its first Remembrance Service in Mil Palmeras.

Now, on this, the 100th Anniversary of the silencing of the guns on the western front, we meet once again to give our heartfelt thanks to those who bravely went forward and fought for our peace and security, believing they were fighting for a better world in which their families and future generations could live.

So many of our, then, families were involved in the fighting, or were waiting at home for the return of their loved ones, and we know from first hand experience, and from the newsreels of the day, that so many either did not return, or returned injured in body or in mind.

This was not the war to end all wars as so many people believed and hoped for, with the Second World War and many other theatres of fighting taking place in our world since those bleak days.

On Sunday it is our turn to Remember what those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen went through and to give thanks to God for the Peace and prosperity that we enjoy today, in our Service of Remembrance as we pray, sing hymns, listen to the word of God, and make an act of Commitment to responsible living and faithful service. “We will remember them�

Blessings to you all, Pastor Keith Brown

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Time to say Thank You One hundred years ago 100 years ago the First World War ended, and a new world began as the guns fell silent on the world’s first truly global war. The example and experience of those who lived through it shaped the world we live in today.

We believe it is time to think about all those who lived through this tragic and remarkable time and who put Britain on the path to becoming what it is today. It’s time to say THANK YOU for all that they did for us.

Women Women played a huge role in WW1 and this helped to change the role of women in Britain. Their vital role in supporting the war effort meant that many more women worked in jobs outside the home.

The Arts Arts and Culture were impacted by the experiences of a generation of poets, artists and composers. We still enjoy the works of Wilfred Owen, JRR Tolkien and many more today.

Children More than 340,000 children lost a parent and countless more lost brothers and uncles in WW1. Despite this trauma, children played a vital role in the war effort.

The Commonwealth The British Empire answered the call with volunteers from far and wide including pre-partition India, the Caribbean and Africa, all of whom make up a vibrant part of our society today.

Pioneers Pioneers in WW1 were driven to innovate. In medicine Doctors and nurses vastly increased our understanding and use of new technology such as x-rays. And if you’ve ever used a tea bag or worn a wrist watch you can thank the necessity during the war for making them commonplace.

Monday 5th - Sunday 11th November, 2018 The Armed Forces At the end of WW1 four million soldiers returned home to find a shortage of housing and jobs and a struggling economy. Despite this they brought the same resolve to peace that they had shown in war, helping to rebuild Britain.

HOW WE REMEMBER Remembrance is part of modern life, culture and heritage. It is a feature of the public calendar each year when public, private, formal and informal Remembrance events take place across the world.

The National Service of Remembrance, held at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, ensures that no-one is forgotten as the nation unites to honour all who have suffered in war.

HM The Queen will pay tribute alongside Members of the Cabinet, Opposition Party leaders, former Prime Ministers, the Mayor of London and other ministers.

Representatives of the Armed Forces, Fishing Fleets and Merchant Air and Navy will also be there, as well as faith communities and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries.

Here in Spain, Remembrance events will be held in Madrid, across the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa Almeria and the Costa del Sol. Some, such as the service in La Siesta Church Torrevieja, will take place at 10.30 am on Saturday 10 November while the majority, including the Orihuela Costa and District Commemoration in the Capilla de Mil Palmeras, will take place at 10.30 am the following day, on Sunday 11th.

TWO MINUTE SILENCE Each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we observe a Two Minute Silence. Armistice Day on 11 November marks the end of the First World War and on the centenary of the end it is a particularly significant day to remember and honour those who have paid the price for our freedom.

Great Britain and Spain still believes strongly in remembering those who fought and died, not only in World Wars, but also in the many conflicts and terrorist incidents across the world during those years.

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THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION would do something about it himself.

OUR HISTORY

This eventually led to the formation of The British Legion.

BY DON CUBBON

When the Legion's leaders looked around them, they saw the gigantic task of looking after those who had suffered in the recent war and also the need to prevent further sacrifice by reminding the nation of the human cost of war and to work actively for peace.

CHAIRMAN, SPAIN DISTRICT NORTH

T

he British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of exService men that had established themselves after the First World War. The main purpose of the Legion was straightforward: to care for those who had suffered as a result of service in the Armed Forces during the war, whether through their own service or through that of a husband, father or son.

The suffering took many forms: the effect of a war wound on a man's ability to earn a living and support his family, or a war widow's struggle to give her children an education. Even those who had come through the war relatively unscathed struggled with employment.

1.75 million had suffered some kind of disability and half of these were permanently disabled. Added to this figure were the families who depended on those who had gone to war - the wives and children, widows and orphans as well as the parents who had lost sons in the war, who often contributed to the household income.

As a result of the war, Britain's economy plummeted and in 1921 there were two million unemployed. Over six million men had served in the war - 725,000 never returned. Of those who came back,

The situation so moved Lancastrian Lance Bombardier Tom Lister, that he decided that if the government was either unable or unwilling to do anything to improve the lives of ex-Servicemen, he

By the time of the Legion's formation in 1921, the tradition of an annual Two Minute Silence in memory of the dead had been established. The first ever Poppy Appeal was held that year, with the first Poppy Day on 11 November 1921.

We were granted ‘Royal’ status in 1971, and extended our membership to serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, as well as ex-Service personnel, in 1981. Now, anyone can become a member of The Royal British Legion.

We welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not, to continue the work that was begun nearly 100 years ago.

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ONE OF THE LAST OF THE VERY FEW T he Royal British Legion in Spain North is extremely proud to have 100 year old Maurice Mounsdon, as a member of the Menorca Branch. Maurice lives in the Casa Remei Care Home on the island.

But Maurice is no ordinary individual. He is now one of only seven members of ‘The Few’ still believed to be alive.

Flt Lt Mounsdon was attached to fighter command during the Battle of Britain flying Hurricanes. He fought dogfights over Southern England during the Battle of Britain, as a hurricane pilot with 56 Squadron based at RAF North Weald. He was twice shot down but parachuted to safety each time. On the second occasion he was mistaken for a German and was captured by the Home Guard.

Maurice is, of course, highly respected by the RBL in Spain, so much so that just last week he was presented with a beautiful glass plaque with the coat of arms of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Association, by Tina Graham the RBL Welfare Officer in Menorca.

“We are all very proud of Maurice and the service he has given. He is a shining light that we all hold very dear,” said Tina.

Tina’s husband, Brian, took along a book “So Few” which is a compilation of the memoirs of 25 pilots who served in the Battle of Britain. Brian and Maurice talked through the list of contributors, many who Maurice knew and served with. He discussed how he escaped from his plane when he was shot down by a Messerschmitt 109 and was severely burnt resulting in him being hospitalised for 2 years.

Maurice identified one pilot in the book who was in the next bed during his time in hospital. Brian has left the book with Maurice as it brought so many memories back and has promised to visit him again in a few weeks’ time, hopefully to learn more.

It has been a few years since Maurice has been up in a plane, and even longer since he fought dogfights over southern England during the Battle of Britain, but in mid-September he watched with pride and mixed emotion as the Red Arrows — the elite pilots of the modern age — honoured him with a tribute to mark his birthday.

In a spectacular display over Menorca, where Mr Mounsdon has lived since his retirement, they carved out “100” in the sky in red, white and blue smoke trails.

Now frail and unable to walk unaided, he watched the 30-minute show from a friend’s apartment as nine Hawk jets twisted and turned above them at speeds of up to 360mph.

Wing Commander Andrew Keith, leader of the Red Arrows, said the squadron came to Menorca to pay tribute to Mr Mounsdon’s contribution during the Battle of Britain. “It is a special moment, as the RAF marks its centenary and Mr Mounsdon has celebrated his 100th birthday, to come and do this display in tribute to him and all he did for his country,” he said. As he helped Mr Mounsdon leave, Mr Keith joked to his fellow pilot: “You would have made it into the cockpit in 20 seconds in your day.”

Tina Graham presenting the glass plaque to Maurice on behalf of Spain District North

Captain Mark Fieldsend, the defence attaché at the British embassy in Madrid, presented Mr Mounsdon with a sector clock, which were used during the Battle of Britain to organise which squadrons would be sent up to fight the Luftwaffe and to raise the alert about approaching enemy aircraft.

The tribute came about because the RAF sent the Red Arrows to Menorca for centenary celebrations and to help a campaign to restore a former British naval hospital on the island. When they discovered that Mr Mounsdon lived there, they decided to dedicate their display to one of the last survivors of The Few. Maurice said that The Royal British Legion presentation completed his own personal centenary celebrations.

The dashing figure of Maurice Mounsdon in his days as a Hurricane pilot helped bring down a Dornier Do 215 bomber.

Wing Commander Paul Caswell Farnes, 100

Seven members of The Few are believed to be still alive. Five are members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association. As well as Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mounsdon, they include: Wing Commander John “Tim” Elkington, 97 Served in the RAF for 36 years.

During the Battle of Britain he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109, a Junkers Ju 88, and

”You’ve got to remember that we joined the air force to fly. To be able to fly several times a day, every day, in one of the finest airplanes going, we thought was good,” he said in an interview in 2015. “It was very fragile, but strangely enough it was a good life. I enjoyed it.”

Flight Lieutenant William Terence Clark, 99 After joining the Auxiliary Air Force in 1938, Flight Lieutenant Clark was later posted to RAF Catterick as an air gunner on the Blenheim aircraft. Afterwards he moved on to the Beaufighter as a radio operator.

Flight Lieutenant William Hughes, believed to be 97 Served in 23 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He went on to serve in Egypt where he completed two tours.

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A Death at the Battle of the Somme "At 8 o'clock on the morning of July 1st there was roll call for the day's orders and we were told that the general offensive would begin at 9 without us, as we were in reserve, and that we should be notified of the day and hour that we were to go into action.

All was hustle and bustle. The Colonial regiments had carried the first German lines and thousands and thousands of prisoners kept arriving and leaving. Ambulances filed along the roads continuously.

Suddenly a voice called out: 'The company will fall in to go to the first line.'

About 4 o'clock the order came to get ready for the attack. None could help thinking of what the next few hours would bring. One minute's anguish and then, once in the ranks, faces became calm and serene, a kind of gravity falling upon them, while on each could be read the determination and expectation of victory.

Two battalions were to attack Belloy-en-Santerre, our company being the reserve of battalion.

The companies forming the first wave were deployed on the plain.

Bayonets glittered in the air above the corn, already quite tall.

Alan Seeger's section formed the right and vanguard of the company and mine formed the left wing.

After the first bound forward, we lay flat on the ground, and I saw the first section advancing beyond us and making toward the

extreme right of the village of Belloy-en-Santerre.

I caught sight of Seeger and called to him, making a sign with my hand.

He answered with a smile. How pale he was! His tall silhouette stood out on the green of the cornfield. He was the tallest man in his section. His head erect, and pride in his eye, I saw him running forward, with bayonet fixed.

Soon he disappeared and that was the last time I saw my friend. . ."

From the diary of a friend of Alan Seeger, an American serving in the Somme with the French Foreign Legion.

Seeger fell on the first day of the Somme at the age of 28, but is still remembered for his prophetic poem “Rendevous with death.”

Alan was the uncle of folk singer/song writer Pete Seeger..

“I have a rendezvous with Death At some disputed barricade, When Spring comes back with rustling shade And apple-blossoms fill the air-I have a rendezvous with Death When Spring brings back blue days and fair.”

From "A Death at the Battle of the Somme, 1916," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2004).

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