Just wanted to voice my appreciation for this programme. Ian Hislop is an excellent presenter and should get more of this sort of work. The story of the Merchant Navy Captain shot by the Germans for attempting to ram a U Boat and the War Memorial recovered from a skip filled me with outrage. I'm pleased those responsible for the latter agreed to restore it, I don't think they'd have heard the last of it it they hadn't, and was impressed by the restraint shown by Hislop and the surviving relative of one of those named on the memorial. I'd have gone balistic.
Yes, Not Fotgotten is impressive, but don't forget all those who fought, but weren't killed, in the Great War. There are no memorials to survivors. The fact that they lived on meant that they saw more action, more horror, and more psychological damage than the poor souls who were cannon fodder and survived only a few hours. They came home into a new world, and have truly been forgotten. I know it would be more difficult to find out the names that don't appear on war memorials, but come on Iain Hislop, add an extra part to the series, and praise the story's of the unsung heroes.
Here here Frankj. Though, a man which has survived all that horror and the horror of the following war, the onset of age related problems.Couldn't even come close to the 'TRUE heroes'of our time, (ie)massivly overpaid footballers, with prima-donner attitudes and in some cases--a knighthood!!!.Ooops, almost missed out the other 'true heroe's of our time--POP stars, B list celebs, etc. I'm a non-entity- get me in there!!!!
Well said FrankJ! I have traced many soldiers who fell in the Great War for people. One of these was very special for me. I started with only his name, no letters, no photos and no grave. With effort I put his day-to-day story back together, where he fell in action and even an 'unknown grave' on the Somme which just might be his into a book for all to read. This has inspired many, many people to do likewise. When I visit the Thiepval memorial, I am always deeply moved by people's little tributes to 'Uncle Albert' commemorated there. My great-grandfather, a conscript, came through. Far more difficult to trace his story. But what a sobering story, typical of many who went through the late war. I do not collect medals, but their 'commercial value' typifies some people's attitudes to the Great War. My great-grandfather's medals - two years VERY active service, wounded once, a survivor - £28. A 1st July 1916 fatality with a few hours service £500. I knew many survivors of the trenches, well into their 80's and 90's - they were truly the ones who were forgotten. No government 'Heroes Return' package for them, no 'VE/VJ Day' national party for them! Well done C4 for this series - excellent so far!
