A Time to Remember

 

(Photo: Canadian soldiers returning from the front at the Somme in 1916.)

 

 

 

 As November 11 approaches, I take time to think about those who died for us to have a free Canada, were we and our children may live safe and have a chance to prosper. It hasn't really been given 'free of charge'. There were many who lost 'everything'  so it can be so today.

I never met my Great Great Uncle Pte John William Wells. He lived at the turn of the 19th century. He moved to Nova Scotia with his family in early 1900's. When a call came to go fight for freedom, he returned to NFL as a volunteer for the Canadian Army Service Corps. He became part of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment along with 12000 Newfoundland service men joined. He died at the Battle of Somme in France on September 16,1916. Sadly, none of those men or their families who gave their all were decorated for their service. I want him to know I'm proud of what he did for me, so I will attend a Remembrance day service on Monday, and cry, like always ,when the bugle calls.

 

Photo: Newfoundland soldiers in St. John's Road support trench before their attack at Beaumont-Hamel. July 1, 1916. Courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL NA-3105), St. John's, Newfoundland.

 

note- photo's and some info from The Battle of Somme