It has been a turbulent week in politics, however, this week is a time of contemplation and solemn reflection as we mark Armistice Day on 11 November and have Remembrance Sunday this coming weekend.
The impact of World War 1, the vast conflict that led to
these events being marked annually, cannot be under-stated. The total number of
military and civilian casualties in World War I, was around 40 million. There
were 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of
deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 10 million civilians.
The impact on a generation was profound and the consequences
far-reaching and felt to this day. In Mid-Cornwall communities suffered
tremendously, with a generation of young men called away to fight, never to
return, leaving small and fragile communities in a perilous state because the
manual workers were no longer there to keep business and industry running.
The Duke of Cornwall’s light infantry alone lost 4,510 men
during the course of the war, all fathers, brothers and sons whose loss would
have been felt keenly in their communities and down through the years.
And we lost our own serving Member of Parliament Thomas
‘Tommy’ Agar-Robartes, who I always think about at this time of year, who along
with 23 MP’s died in service during the war.
The Great War, as it was known at the time was also called
the ‘War to end all wars’ but sadly this did not come to pass, and in
subsequent Remembrance Sundays, we remember those who have given their lives
serving our country in other wars since, including the Second World War and more
recently right up to the recent Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
It is fitting that we normally mark these occasions with
formal services of remembrance. Last year however we were unable to, due to the
far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, so this year a return to the
organised events, with the excellent support of the Royal British Legion,
churches and town and parish councils across the land, is even more poignant.
As we look towards marking and remembering these occasions
this week, it is always good to bear in mind that while in the present we are
able to argue and debate over matters that are important to us, those important
freedoms and our democratic right to do so were hard won by those who people
who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live free in the future.
Sometimes it seems easy to take our democratic freedoms for granted and lose
sight of just how valuable they are and the huge price that was paid by
previous generations to secure our freedoms.
We must also cherish the surviving veterans of past
conflict, and as the numbers of those who served in the Second World War
inevitably fall, it is particularly appropriate to treasure those we have left,
and I particularly must mention our own Harry Billinge MBE, a D-Day Veteran who
has tirelessly fundraised for the British Normandy Memorial, which he was
finally able to visit recently. Thank you Harry for everything you have done.
And alongside those who have served and given their lives in
the past, we must also be grateful to the men and women who serve today in our
armed forces, putting themselves in danger to protect our way of life and keep
others around the world safe from harm every day, as well as for their efforts
in supporting the national response and recovery from the pandemic.
So this Armistice Day, and on Remembrance Sunday, let us
remember the men and women who gave their lives for us in the past and honour
those who continue to risk their lives today.
As always, my office is available for any constituents
needing help, advice or guidance. Please do get in touch if I can help – tel.
01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk
