Royal British Legion Festival

[BimboBob]

The unknown soldier was most likely a volunteer or conscript.

The armies of the First and Second World War were mostly civilians in uniform, and most importantly came from all classes, their sacrifice touched every corner of the UK and nearly every family, rich or poor.

Today our veterans come from a professional army and those that tend to fall on hard times come from the working class. So the establishment don't care, the middle class have no shared experience, so they don't care, and if you're struggling in Britain today the government believes it's down to poor life choices, so veteran or otherwise, you're f**ked.

Utter tosh. I know two ex army blokes, both who come from what you'd term middle class backgrounds, who are suffering with life because of their experiences. Both fell on hard times, both are still feeling the effects. One's Wife left him, citing mood swings etc etc meaning he had to leave the family home and move into digs. Apart from his mates, he had little other support.

Successive governments have failed them due to lack of support when the come out. PTSD affects all and although things are getting better in terms of recognition and support its nowhere near the level it should be.

 

[The perfect fumble]

Utter tosh. I know two ex army blokes, both who come from what you'd term middle class backgrounds, who are suffering with life because of their experiences. Both fell on hard times, both are still feeling the effects. One's Wife left him, citing mood swings etc etc meaning he had to leave the family home and move into digs. Apart from his mates, he had little other support.

Successive governments have failed them due to lack of support when the come out. PTSD affects all and although things are getting better in terms of recognition and support its nowhere near the level it should be.

This is not a hard and fast rule.

But there is a mountain of evidence to show that the MOD has very clearly targeted the most economically deprived areas with low employment, particularly in the north, to find its recruits

And while being middle class does not isolate you from PTSD and being working class does not make you prone to it, life chances are greater for the middle class and obstacles greater for the working class, once they leave the forces.

Let's not argue about this, you're right, successive governments, both Labour and Tory have not done enough, there is a lack of political will both sides of the political divide and I believe that's down to the fact that very few civilians alive today, myself included, have ever served.

 

[BrianW]

I remember reading a book about a Welsh regiment in Afghanistan. It was so depressing I gave it away. Anyway, most of the recruits came from dirt-poor estates in Wales. What they went through over there is almost indescribable. Many lost limbs - in some cases all limbs. Others were destroyed mentally. Some of the problems were down to inadequate vehicles/kit.

Anyway, no one gave a fuck about them when they came home, least of all the Government. Some were ostracised in the very estates where they had grown up. They no longer 'fitted in'.

It was genuinely one of the most devasting books I have ever read. My heart went out to those poor lads. The 'system' had just used them and then threw them away like dirty tissues.

Nothing new about this. A lot of the men who fought in the World Wars were treated like shit too.

 

[bluethrunthru]

I remember reading a book about a Welsh regiment in Afghanistan. It was so depressing

Wales or the war in Afghanistan? Both depressing in their own way.

On a serious note was it Dead Men Risen? I started it but wasn't really in the right place to read it - I felt it was dragging me down so I never finished it and it went in a charity bag to be collected and re-sold

 

[BrianW]

Wales or the war in Afghanistan? Both depressing in their own way.

On a serious note was it Dead Men Risen? I started it but wasn't really in the right place to read it - I felt it was dragging me down so I never finished it and it went in a charity bag to be collected and re-sold

Might have been, I'm not sure.
I just remember the book almost broke my heart.

 

[malg]

This is not a hard and fast rule.

But there is a mountain of evidence to show that the MOD has very clearly targeted the most economically deprived areas with low employment, particularly in the north, to find its recruits

And while being middle class does not isolate you from PTSD and being working class does not make you prone to it, life chances are greater for the middle class and obstacles greater for the working class, once they leave the forces.

Let's not argue about this, you're right, successive governments, both Labour and Tory have not done enough, there is a lack of political will both sides of the political divide and I believe that's down to the fact that very few civilians alive today, myself included, have ever served.

You're right, it's not a hard and fast rule. However, I served 25 years and from my experience most of the Army 'other ranks' came from very much working class stock and from broken homes - I remember us in the Mess once having a laugh with someone who was saying their parents were splitting up after 35 years of marriage, everyone else in there at the time (around 10 of us) all came from broken homes. Not proof of anything, just my experience. I left in 2012 but I don't think it will have changed too much.

 

[bluethrunthru]

Many of us FOC’s will have heard stories about family members and friends who died in World Wars. My Grandma who was born in 1891 lost her brother in WW1, my Dad’s Uncle was killed in a Japanese POW camp in Sarawak (Borneo) in WW2. He was a boxer called Jack Davies who fought regularly at Belle Vue, he was apparently used as Bayonet practice after punching a Japanese guard.

I still think it’s important we remember these people with reverence and utmost respect. Watching Remembrance Sunday now, currently interviewing a Second World War Veteran who is 103, incredibly stuff.

Interestingly my Great Grandma - one Ada Harratt of Miles Platting lost her husband early in WW1. Seems it was often the case that a younger brother stepped in when the elder was killed to ensure the kids would be looked after so she married her late husbands younger brother. He too was killed towards the end of hostilities. Imagine losing two husbands who were brothers in action in the same 4 year conflict

 

[bluethrunthru]

Julian Knight MP - didn't attend the War Memorial in his constituency and couldn't even be arsed signing a card on "his" poppy wreath