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Erdington postmen heroes remembered

just in case anyone misses this on the meet up thread i am posting here as well..i shall certainly be lighting my candle and look forward to watching the special programme from westminster abbey...many thanks to bojalu for bringing it to our attention..


Originally Posted by Bojalu Monday 4 August: Time 10pm – 11pm Lights out candles lit

The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.
Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, uttered these words on the eve of Britain officially entered the First World War. Exactly 100 years later we are inviting millions of individuals, households and companies to join together in a national moment of reflection.
We're encouraging everyone in the UK to turn off their lights between 10pm and 11pm on 4 August 2014 – leaving only a single light or candle for this symbolic act of reflection and hope.
A limited edition Centenary candle is available from M&S stores or online for £4, with all profit coming to The Royal British Legion.
We hope to light one million candles across the UK to remember each and every one of those Service men and women who gave their lives in the war to end all wars. Please join together with us to create a unique national moment for the United Kingdom and The Royal British Legion..
Westminster Abbey will be leading the nation with a First World War vigil liturgy which will be broadcast live on the BBC.
 
hi all
i have just been checking the news papers on find my past article from the birmingham daily mail dated feb 14 1917
found the roll of honour entry for henry james holmes
also found one for his brother frederick charles holmes
it says
private f c holmes son of mr and mrs holmes 295 bolton road small heath leaves a widow at back 71 greenway street. a brother of private holmes has been killed and another is serving with the colours.
we know that the brother killed is henry james the postie
the other brother is probally william henry their older brother but what are or were the colours?
zena
 
Thank you to everyone who posted pictures - I have just been looking through them all. It is lovely to see the plaque in place at the memorial - I think it looks wonderful where they have put it. A big well done to everyone involved!
I am rather hoping this isn't the end of the story though - I am hoping that one day relatives of the other soldiers may see this on the forum and get in touch.
Lyn - I hope you have managed to get some well deserved rest now that the plaque is in place.
I have got my candle ready for Monday and I will be thinking of all those who lost their lives in the Great War.
 
hi pol it was a wonderful ending to the story of our 7 postal workers...had a little rest but im raring to go again lol...just to recap the relative of 4 of the men came forward..

ALBERT SHARP
HENRY HOLMES
CORNELIUS NEAL
CHARLES BULL

relatives of charles bull could not make the service as they only found out about it a few days before and other commitments prevented them from being there so we have just 3 rellies to come forward...as you say this hopefully is not quite the ending yet...

lyn
 
hi folks..i cant be certain as i have had no confirmation yet but our postal mens service maybe shown on central news tonight..

lyn
 
just been confirmed folks that the postal service will be aired on central news tonight...

lyn
 
well folks i was pleased with centrals report about our rededication service...they seemed to get all the important people in it...must admit i did refuse to be interviewed as i felt that the special day belonged only to the 7 brave men and their relatives...cant believe i spotted myself 3 or 4 times as i was trying to stay in the background lol...thanks again to all of you have shown a keen interest...a lovely ending to a very special story

lyn x
 
Glad it has been on Lyn, though I did not see it as I am not in the area. Did strike me that it was a while after it actually occurred.
 
mike i think the intention all along by central was that it would be shown on the 4th or not long after...

lyn
 
I thought it was a really good report - so often reports can feel rushed because they don't have time to show much but I thought the interviews were really good and they showed some lovely shots of the plaque, the memorial and all the people there. There were quite a few shots of Lyn - especially when they referred to the Birmingham History group - and there was also a lovely shot of Wendy looking very thoughtful. Really enjoyed watching it - well done to all involved.
 
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I am so pleased the report was good, sadly I missed it as we are in Wales. I wish I had realised I could have set my recorder. Never mind as Lyn says the important family members were featured. It was a lovely service and very moving.
 
not your fault wend..central do not know until the actual day which stories will be going on air...i was only informed myself yesterday....but as you say a lovely service and also a good ending which is all that matters...

enjoy wales

lyn
 
I enjoyed watching it too, a lovely end to the story. Very dignified and reverent.
Well done Lyn and everyone concerned.
rosie.
 
I've followed this journey through from the beginning, not been able to contribute (there are people with faster brains and fingers than me!) but I just wanted to say how proud I am to be a member of this wonderful Forum.
My dad was a postman at Hockley Hill during the forties and fifties and I thought of him each time I read a part of this thread.
Many thanks to Lyn, and everyone who put all this information together and, of course, Ken Stowe who saved the plaque for all these years ... on behalf of all postmen past and present, alive and dead, many many thanks.
 
There must be other families like mine who were lucky in the sense they suffered no deaths or injuries due to hostilities in both WW1 and WW2. Our house was damaged in 1940 in the blitz but no injuries and 6 weeks later our house was repaired and we were back in it. A great many people were not so fortunate and my sympathies go to them Eric
 
It was a lovely item of news,Central covered the story very well,nice to see Lyn and Wendy who I recognised from photos on the forum.
Great that family members could honour their relatives the way they did.
I think the forum should be very proud of Lyn for being involved from the beginning through to the service in Alrewas.
What a wonderful thing for BHF to be part of.
Alberta
 
thanks again everyone for your lovely comments....

alberta your post makes me feel quite humble..and charlie yours bought a tear to my eyes....this project will always be something that shall feel proud to have been a part of..

thanks again

lyn xx
 
I don't know if I have already commented on this Lyn, but here in Cambridge, we have a small memorial to the "Gas works workers", who gave their lives for our country, it is hidden away behind a bus stop on the Newmarket Road, the old Gas works were demolished in the 90's, and replaced by a Tesco Super market. I often stop there to show respect when ever I am that way, but never seen a poppy cross, or wreath though. You should be recommended for this thread, Paul
 
hi paul and thank you...how sad that your gas works memorial is being ignored especially this year of all years...i do hope that maybe someone will lay a wreath there before rememberance sunday in november...please let us know..

lyn
 
oh thats great paul...im pleased about that..at least the gas works men will be remembered by one person and you never know others may follow your lead..

lyn
 
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