Remembrance Day - who do you remember?

On Remembrance Day, do you have any friends or relatives you especially think of for what they did during a conflict?

My grandfather was an officer in the Polish Army. Only with some quick thinking did he and some of his fellows escape from the Soviets in the Katyn Massacre. He fled across Europe, staying ahead of the advancing Reich, and reached the UK.

His wife to be was a driver for the RAF, taking the pilots out to their Hurricanes. She also worked in a factory making Rolls Royce engines. After a long shift, she returned home. The following day, she awoke to find that, in her exhaustion, she'd slept through an air raid that had all but levelled her street.

My other grandfather enlisted so that he could join the Royal Navy (as he feared being put into another service if conscripted) despite the fact he couldn't swim. He served as coxswain on a landing craft, and participated in the Dieppe Raid before continuing to serve in the Med where he was injured in combat.

I am proud of all of them and grateful for what they endured.

Does anyone else have any stories (or just names) they want to share?

[Winder]

Mike 2004, Cridgey 2006, Seb 2009, Chacks 2010.
Afghanistan is ****.
We will remember them

[NTECUK]

Personal .Both great uncle's who exploits I learnt from my Granada who have me his brothers medals .(but still at mum and dads )

My Grandad joined the Navy, he lied about his age at 15 to become a submariner (which to this day I find amazing, he was 6ft+ and served on 'T' class subs, I went on the one at Portsmouth I don't know how he managed they are tiny), he was always very proud as submariners were al volunteers not a single one was conscripted. He served most of the war around Australia and I always remember him telling me how hard it was to hide a sub in such clear waters. He died back in 1995 after having 8 children since then end of the war and 8 heart attacks the 8th being the last (I always thought there was a link), I personally will be remembering his contribution, and that of my great uncles Frank and Harry Browning who died on HMS Cressy and HMS Hampshire when they were torpedoed by U boats in the first world war.

We will remember them.

My great grandad (WWI) and my great uncle (WWII), as well as a great friend, Ken (WWII, survived to come home).

And many of my family and friends currently serving overseas, and here at home. Stay safe.

Rest well, in peace. And never forget.

[Kenzie]

Great Grandad who was killed in Burma in WW2. He fell off the back of a truck and was injured as they prepared to retreat from a Japanese advance. He was put in a hospital but left behind when the Japanese overan the base. Sadly the Japanese removed the red crosses from the building roofs and the hospital was bombed by the British and he was killed. My brother is also a serving soldier.

[Luckypants]

Please observe the 2 minutes silence at 11.00 GMT.

I always remember the Troops killed by the IRA, at a time when news coverage wasn't so sympathetic to the Troops and it seemed the public was just trying to forget what was going on there.

RIP

I'll be at the Royal Exchange today in the City for the 2 minutes silence. It's very moving.

Personally, my grandad was the only serviceman I knew. He never spoke to me about WWII so I can only go by stories passed through the family on times when he did open up. He gave away all his war medals to his kids who subsequently swapped them for toys and sweets. I know he escaped death at times as well as seeing friends killed along side him. He even had a friend killed by a shooting squad for killing an arab who was steeling from their camp.
I still don't know how anyone came home alive from any war. They all sound unforgiving.
I raise a glass to all those that served or are serving. God bless'em all.

Poignant as always, and I assume people will be attending services on Sunday?
As for my family, both my Grandfathers flew in WWII, one in Bomber Command over Europe and Germany, and the other was involved in supply drops in the Pacific campaign.
My cousin returned back from Afghanistan last week, RAF helicopter crew, and my TA Squadron is currently going thru selection courses for Op 18, I feel like a selfish t*** as I won't be joining them, have to put some form of career plans first with Uni MSc.