Its been a busy few weeks and also a few weeks full of germs, as is always the way this time of year. But we have rounded off an amazing eight months with a remembrance service at the memorial garden at St.Stephens, at the top of the school road. Yes you did read correctly - it is only eight months since we started on our adventure and we are amazed by what we have achieved. I am going to do a round up of the projects that we have completed and what we have in store in the next blog post.
It's been quite sad watching all the beautiful colour's that have appeared in the school garden slowly disappear. Seeing the oranges and browns of autumn take over, is both magical but somehow very final. This time of year I feel is fitting for remembrance day. The cold, crispness of autumn always seems fitting for such an occasion. And at 1 o'clock on the 13th of November the children walked up the hill to meet up with the British Legion representatives and pay their respects. Maybe I'm a little old school, but it gives me a really happy, warm feeling inside to see generations interact. From our tiniest representative Grace, to the head boy and girl it was lovely to see them look proud to be there. Of course you know about the memorial and how we have given it a face lift, but what about the people its for? What about the wonderful proud people who come along on that cold, sunny Monday and stood side by side the children - I couldn't help wonder what their stories were.
I spoke to Jeff Curd - He is the Chairman in Buckhurst Hill. This is his story......
My story is that my grandfather served in WW1 in the KRRC (Kings Royal Rifle Corps) he joined in 1912 and went to France in 1914 , he took part in various battles but was shot by machine gun in 1915 at Festubert as part of the Loos campaign , he survived but had to have his left leg amputated below the knee , but he survive and by him surviving it meant my father was born and me and my children unlike so many , I always wear his medals in remembrance every year .
My uncle was in the desert rats and fought in north Africa at El Alamein then onto Monte Casino and just after that he was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW.
My father was in the Royal Signals as part of national service and I joined the Territorial Army Royal Signals 71st Signal Regiment as part of 68 squadron, the Inns of Court in 1980 and served until 1990. During this time I got the opportunity to do lots of things like parachuting , helicopters , tanks , armoured personnel carriers and rigid raiders with the royal marines so I really enjoyed my time serving and I also met my wife Janice who served in the same regiment and we are fortunate to still keep our contacts today and attend the remembrance service at the Inns of Court every year. I am privileged to be the Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Buckhurst Hill . My latest adventure was to fly in a Spitfire which had always been a childhood dream .
Jeff Curd - chairman RBL
Jeff kindly sent me some photographs of these amazing men.
The first is my Grandad circa 1914
The second is my Grandad in the Hospital in Rochester Kent
The third is my Dad Circa 1954 bottom right second one in on chair
The 4th is me Circa 1984
And if you go onto You Tube and type in Jeff Curd you will see the Spitfire video 6 mins .
You would think that our children would have nothing in common with these people, but we were in for a surprise. I asked the children from gardening club if they had a stories about Grandpas, Uncles, Aunties. If there were any stories that they could share at the service.
Joe had an amazing story......
My Great, Great Grandad, Arthur Leverett Cove, was killed in action on the 30th September 1915 at The Battle of Loos, France, during the First World War. He was known as whitehead because of his blonde hair just like mine. Joe, aged 7.
My Daughter shared the story of my wonderful Grandad.
This is my Great, Grandad Albert. He was in the second world war. He was in Egypt. He came home to his family safe. We remember the soldiers that didn't come home. Mindy, aged 7.
It was lovely to share just half an hour bridging the generations. Seeing that actually, they have more in common with each other than they realized.
see our video at - https://animoto.com/play/GlNymfhH1s0zCBesQKbwdw
