A Legacy from the
Great War. (WW1)
(I first posted this
on the 11th of the 11th, Remembrance day. But as today is
Armed forces day and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme
I thought it justifiable to give it a further outing)
I was watching a
television trailer, regarding a forthcoming documentary, examining life of
those who lived and fought from the trenches. I was struck by the number of
film clips that were taken at the front line. That so many have survived for
the past one hundred years is quite amazing considering the ease of degradation
of the materials used. I had not previously considered such an
archive of moving images existed, considering movie making was in
its infancy at that time.
Seeing these short monochrome (mostly
although a few colour films were produced) films of men going about their daily
lives on the front line, brought the characters of those captured on cellulose
to life in a way I did not think possible. In conjunction with this footage was
often clear and exceptional commentary.
A number of
factors emerged which I was unaware of; such as staging football tournaments
between various regiments, and the front line horticultural competitions
for growing vegetables and flowers. These were passionately contested.
I came to the
conclusion, of which I am certain I was aware, but not given conscious
thought. It is…….this was the first time we have a recorded and
documented history on such a massive scale, yet with meticulous and
comprehensive detail covering every aspect of human life during the events.
Further to this is
the fact, this information was collected and collated by individuals as
well as all the various states and nations involved, giving us the data we need
to conclude a balanced and unbiased account of the true circumstances and
conditions of life during the conflict, whether at sea, in the air, or indeed
on the Western front.
Never before have
we had so much indisputable evidence of an historic event, even one of this
magnitude. Furthermore, this is the first time we, the general public,
can see, hear, even feel (to some extent), the character of the ordinary people
entangled in the War.
The events of this
War are now ‘beyond living memory’. All those who participated have died. Which
means we must learn and teach our young, from the footage, the photography and
the written and recorded archives that exist.
Hopefully this
information will, one day, be part of the lesson that shall teach us all...that
war has no victors and no winners, ever.
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