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16 October 2014

Island Wanderer


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And So To A Ship!

Sometimes when we write blogs, we wonder if we are all the time keeping to the rules of island blogging.I know that I require to remind myself of what they actually are; but not at the moment please.

It seems to me that writing of past events is not what is most popular. I found that, for example, writing about the Highland Clearances didn't get get the best results in the event of comments - obviously I had a chip on my shoulder. Something more trendy would have been more in line. But as for myself the past is often the corner stone for the future.

I suppose that these days, more than before we are aware of commerations as regards one thing or another. There must, of course, be a great deal more to remember in the 21st centuary than ever before,and in saying this my attention is focused on the two world wars of the 20th centuary so indellibly imprinted in our history.I suspect that some would prefer to forget episodes such as these, but I won't condemn. Though I don't realish the idea of war more than they,the sacrifice in human terms reach me to the depth of my being.

After the evacutation of Dunkirk many refugees remained in France desperate to get home to Britain, but they had one last chance before being surrounded. The cunard liner "Lancastria" lay off the French port St Nazaire ready to leave and also ready to take on board all who were fleeing.

The "Lancastria" although lacking in size compared to other cunarders was an exceedingly fine ship with beautiful sleek lines and a single funnell. Anyway on the 17th of June 1940 she was the last chance for the desprate escapees and she was ready to take on board with hardly a thought of numbers. It is said that 6000 and some say even 9000 were jam packed in her when the enemy attacked from the air. After a very severe pounding with bombs, one of which went straight down her single funnell, she keeled over and sank. 2,500 were saved.

The loss ofthe "Lancastria" was devestating, with a loss of life worse than that of the "Titanic" and owing to the effect it could have had the morale of the British people it didn't become a news item.

I trust that I will be forgiven for my poor attempt at relating this sad story and I am sure the bravery beyond description involved. In ending I am pleased that an association was formed that has a very special interest to keep the final resting place of the "Lancastria" free from any tampering by intruders.

This is indeed a most sobering story and I humbly feel that we have a requirement to reverently the sacrafice and the tragadies that happened - yes, for our freedom and wellbeing.







Posted on Island Wanderer at 22:22

Comments

I hope ye dinnae stop writing aboot the past. I`m new to this blogging business but would have loved to read of the Clearances..me own family have some history with it too...I think folks forget the past is such a part of who we are now, and has shaped us all for the future. I lost me own grandad in world war 2, and uncles and various other family members. That such fine folks fought for the freedoms we take for granted today is never forgotten. Keep writing, please. ;-)

Hermit from one foot always in the past


The generation that endured these things are fast disappearing and it behoves us to listen to their stories and reflect on how lucky we, particularly in relation to some other nations are, not to have faced all out war for such a long time. I would now have liked my father to say more than he did to me of his experiences but, like many of his age , he did not wish to dwell on the war. With specific regard to the Lancastria, one of my former bosses was a survivor of the sinking who went on to fly lancaster bombers. He told how he was landed back in UK and sent on survivors leave. He then reported back to where he believed his unit was stationed only to be refused entry as his name was on a list of killed. He persisted and the Flight Sergeant in charge of the guardroom was called. Said Flight Sergeant's advice when asked, "Well what shoud I do?" was" If I was you lad I'd F*** off, it says here you're dead so as far as the Air Force is concerned you are dead, So you can disappear." He didn't take the advice and complained for the rest of his life that he never got any pay for the two weeks he was "dead". The sad thing is, and I feel it is an insult to the survivors of WW2, we have not learned to stop visiting these obscenities on others.

Hyper-Borean from Lest we forget


...but what is 'trendy'?

Flying Cat from puzzled&confused


I don't mind reading about the clearances, but I would not want to be one of the poor sods kicked out by the Laird or Duke so and so's representative. Only good thing about the clearances is that the US probably got some good immigrants out of it.

mjc from NM,USA


Right Hermit, I hope to keep on in the past yet. Glad to see your family have connections with the emigrations although not pleasing. We like to say we are free and really so we are, we are not oppressed by a jack booted mob, thanks to those who went. I was born in1942. Island wanderer.

Hermit from foot from always in the past


Yes,not many remain but as the years creep up on us we remember. Over 60 years of good freedom is our lot. I don't wonder that ex service men didn't want to speak about the war - such a traumatic time. The story of the Lancestria is heart reanding with out doubt, you could say, a horrifying episode of the time, and still goes on although much further away from us these days. Not all personell were knights in shining armour. Your former boss was faced with the cruder aspect of personal dealings in the forces and I am sure that in such uncertain times this could be expected. Well as far as visiting such obscenities on onthers, these days many safe guards prevail, maybe modern day politics play a part.

Hyper - Borean from from Lest We Forget


What is trendy you ask? Maybe you could call it " a rumble in the jungle". Well something like that. Island wanderer.

Flying Cat from from Puzzled & Confused


Glad to hear ye`ll keep writing Wanderer, I was born in 1961 so hae nae memory o` the war but grew up wi` me grandparents and other relatives stories...my Uncle Jim was a prisoner o` war in Germany and had many a tale tae tell...one grandad was in the Royal Navy and the other was shot down over Germany...I ken they would all be horrified tae ken that a lot o` todays youngsters think much of what happened during that war is just a PR stunt and not actually true. :-(

Hermit from Sanday


Me Flying Cat....you Island Wanderer. I don't think I've ever had a rumble in the jungle, but always willing to try something new...

Flying Cat from identity crisis


island wanderer sorry I can't keep up with all the posts on island blogging so missed your post on the clearances I would very much like to read it could you direct me to the month in your archives please

island threads from lewis


God I hope you dont drive Island Wanderer.

? from ?




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