Commemoration of the First World War Centenary

[Athene V30]

In line with a request from the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Saturday 28th June 2014 at 1700hrs UTC (1800LT) all vessels moored in the Haven area are encouraged to use a remembrance sound signal, this being the hour of the first shot fired in the conflict, to commemorate the Centenary.

 

[PeterBoater]

The NtM from the PLA goes into more detail:
http://www.pla.co.uk/assets/11of2014-commemorationofthefirstworldwarcentenary.pdf

 

[chinita]

I am puzzled why only vessels 'at sea' or 'underway in the port' have their flags at half mast. Surely ANY hoisted flag/ensign should be at half mast whether the vessel is moving or not?

 

[pvb]

OK, I understand that this may be interpreted as controversial, but I'm an OAP and I really think that it's time to move on. The First World War was a tragedy, not really something to celebrate or commemorate. UNESCO may have requested this, but their remit is unclear. I think the request should be ignored.

 

[Athene V30]

I think the request should be ignored.

Individual choice. No one is forcing you to do anything.

I have asked a former colleague who is still serving what the RN are intending to do on Saturday.

 

[successor]

Probably trying to find a ship to commemorate on or drinking tea in the ward room.

 

[AliM]

What should we have done?

We are in a small harbour in Sweden (Kristanopel) with Swedish (neutral in WW1), Danish (neutral), Dutch (neutral), Finnish (can't remember) and German boats.

We decided to have a quiet private commemoration of the stupidity of everyone involved in power, and of all lives lost on both sides, and neutral. Dipping ensigns, sound signals etc would seem inappropriate here.

The date actually seems to be commemorating the assassination of the heir to the Austrian Hungarian empire - the slaughter of everyone else started somewhat later on!

 

[jerrytug]

What should we have done?

We are in a small harbour in Sweden (Kristanopel) with Swedish (neutral in WW1), Danish (neutral), Dutch (neutral), Finnish (can't remember) and German boats.

We decided to have a quiet private commemoration of the stupidity of everyone involved in power, and of all lives lost on both sides, and neutral. Dipping ensigns, sound signals etc would seem inappropriate here.

The date actually seems to be commemorating the assassination of the heir to the Austrian Hungarian empire - the slaughter of everyone else started somewhat later on!

That's right, it's when a billionaire upper-crust aristocrat got slotted. No real people. That came later.

 

[Ianqv]

Well Bradwell conformed and showed its respect... followed by a minutes silence.
I totally agree with our friend Sweden.... you have to do what is right for your area.

As for "moving on".... I suppose the next step would to be ditch remembrance Sunday!!!
We are a friendly bunch here on this forum, so I will refrain from saying what I really think!!!!

From one of the many, who owes so much to so few!

Ian

 

[ImSteve]

the stupidity of everyone involved in power,

That line just about sums it up

 

[Athene V30]

the stupidity of everyone involved in power, and of all lives lost on both sides, and neutral.

Totally agree. The Military only get sent in when Politicians have failed.

 

[toyboy]

My grand father was one of 5 sons in a family with no daughters. The lads all went to WW1 and only one returned. I prefer to celebrate the end of that war rather than the begining.

 

[Ianqv]

Far too many of us have story's like that.... so many were pointlessly killed.
But just for clarity.... I don't think anyone was celebrating the start of the war (or at least I hope not!!). It was commemorating it, just sparing a thought
to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for what we have today.

Thats my view anyway

Ian

 

[Colvic Watson]

We need as many of these commemorations as possible. Hope to God we keep remembering how awful war is.

 

[tony_lavelle]

I was disembarking from my boat at Thunderbolt Pier (Chatham Historic Dockyard) and blew my horn at precisely 18:00 BST. In this most significant location for Britain's naval power I didn't hear any other sound and didn't see any flags at half mast. Felt a bit of a plonker TBH...

 

[toyboy]

Far too many of us have story's like that.... so many were pointlessly killed.
But just for clarity.... I don't think anyone was celebrating the start of the war (or at least I hope not!!). It was commemorating it, just sparing a thought
to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for what we have today.

Thats my view anyway


Ian

Yes of course and an absolutely valid point too.

 

[pvb]

Certainly valid. But not shared by all. It seems the UNESCO request was largely ignored, perhaps an indication that many others feel it's time to move on.

 

[Ianqv]

At Bradwell there were a lot of people asking "what just happened"? as they were totally unaware of the UNESCO request.
In fact, I only heard about it by reading this thread a couple of days beforehand (so WELL DONE to the O.P).
So perhaps it was just poorly "advertised"!

I would like to think that the "move on brigade" are in the minority.

Regards

Ian

 

[DanTribe]

We need as many of these commemorations as possible. Hope to God we keep remembering how awful war is.

I'm pleased to say that there seems to be a better awareness of memorials now, than a few years ago.
In the 90s my company were converting a disused Church into a house. When the time came to remove a roll of honour wall plaque listing the fallen, we asked what was to be done with it. The client and architect both said to just clear it away, but our site guys refused and the job stopped.
Eventually they were persuaded to allow it to be relocated in the grounds, but we had to share the costs.
I don't think that attitude would prevail nowadays?

 

[Firefly]

I think a problem with the UNESCO request was that they wanted us to comemorate the shooting of the Arch Duke on 26th July when this country didn't declare war on Germany until 4th August. That would seem to most to signify the start of the war. Various countries declared on various dates so there is no one date suitable for all to use and UNESCO seem to think individual countries shouldn't just use the date they declared on. Much simpler for the end of the war though Turkey and some others gave up before 11, 11, 11.

I think the idea of commemoration is much stronger now than it was - When Mrs T, Reagan and the Queen did the 40th for the D-Day landings it was made a big event because they figured no-one would be interested by the 50th - and look at what happened for the 70th! (and the Queen was there still!). Lest we forget.