Remembrance.

When I was a child, we went to the Remembrance Parade at Shaw's Corner in Redhill. We took my Grandad and he wore his medals. I was ever so proud of him, he had been part of 'the war' and he was also proud of being part of the British Army.

I then became part of the Remembrance parade as a Brownie and then as a Girl Guide, carrying the standard on occasion. It was explained to me why we did this, what Remembrance Sunday, and even Armistice Day was all about. It's been an important part of my life.

And then when I was in the Fire Service, I laid the wreath for us at the Totnes service, two years in a row. I felt proud to be able to do this, it was an honour. And to be asked this year as part of the Veterans Charity volunteer team to lay the wreath in Barnstaple, was yet another great honour. To be able to say thank you, to those who gave up their lives to save ours.

What really changed my Remembrance Day was the year I first went to the Somme battlefields with my Mum. We did a tour of them, and it was explained to me, looking across, what is now beautiful countryside, the extent of just what had gone on. The site that has been with me the most was when we visited the 'Sunken Lane' and looked out 'over the top' and heard the horrible history of what happened there. I have never thought in the same way again since that day, it really changed my perspective on life.

So now, 11th November is the most important day of the year for us to be aware of those past events, and the recent conflicts as well, they are no less horrific. But what does upset me is that the younger generation are losing interest in their history, it seems that some kids don't even know why we wear poppies and parade and stand in silence. Education needs to keep going, people need to be taking their children to one side and explaining this annual honour. We need to keep remembrance flourishing for generations to come, so we will not forget, so no one will forget.

It falls on adults with children to keep this education going, for schools to focus on the impact of conflict past and present. 

Have a look at the photos and old video film clips that were taken of the boys that were in the sunken lane that day before they went over the top, and look at the stories and the facts and figures of just how many made it back. Then take time to remember them, and everyone else who has died for the protection of their country.