Real Tragedy

PeterL · 27 June 2001, 09:25 PM

I'm as guilty as any and a good deal worse than most when it comes to frivolity hear abouts, so beleive me when I say I found an announcment on this mornings BBC news very touching.

The death is announced of David Ireland aged 103. Ireland was twice wounded, the second time at the same battle for Arras as those recently exhumed 24 Tommies, and had spent the last 77 years in mental institutions re-living the horrors of WWI. God bless you David. Rest in peace,

28 June 2001, 02:21 AM

A point well taken, Peter. Thanks!
DD

Darryl · 28 June 2001, 03:28 AM

May he rest in peace at last

regards

Darryl

Ira_Silverman · 28 June 2001, 09:53 AM

The tragedy of war lasts long after the last bullet is fired.

Requiescat im Pace, David.

Ira

Volker_Nemsch · 28 June 2001, 11:40 AM

Very tragic indeed! Even when a war is over it is not over for many of the survivors. Especially for this poor guy: perhaps about 3 years in the trenches but about 77 years fighting, suffering, fear, horror day by day and night by night! Maybe he has now found a peaceful and quiet place.

Ruhe in Frieden! / Rest in Peace!
Volker Nemsch

Ginger. · 28 June 2001, 12:47 PM

My Uncle was a bow gunner in a Churchill Crocodile from D-Day to war's end.The effect on him was devasting,he could never work and finally set fire to a derelict warehouse.In the early fifties a crime like arson resulted in years in an asylum.I never met him but the family said it was a blessing when he died.
There must have been many more for whom the war never ended,even when the battles were ancient history.
Bless Them All.

28 June 2001, 02:44 PM

"But war's a game which, were their subjects wise,
Kings would not play at."

William Cowper
The Winter Morning Walk

29 June 2001, 05:01 AM

Peter L,

And another brother has been lain down to sleep. Rest well my brother.

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers
For he that fought with me this day shall be my brother,
be he ne'er so vile.' Shakespeare - King Henry V

Best regards,
Jim 'ACE'

Ginger. · 29 June 2001, 01:19 PM

Well said Jim.

30 June 2001, 06:18 AM

One must remember that this tragedy, and others like it, has been endlessly repeated, on all sides. Truly; there is no such thing as a "good" war, or a "bad" peace.