As always at this time of year, I remember people. Thoughts for those we have known and lost inspired by the thoughts of those whom we did not know and also lost, those who have fought for our freedom and our lives throughout the history of this war torn world. [No matter how tempting it is to get on the anti-war tangent here, I will endeavour to remain on topic!] A couple of years ago a friend brought to me some old tatty military documents, stamped in red Top Secret. As I opened the folder and browsed through the fragile leaves of paper and waxed vellum the type writer written words told their story and one that proved to be one of the most moving moments of my researching history. As I read the sheet entitled ‘Combat Report’ the story unfolded of a young Belgian pilot called Jaques Arthur Pillipart. This was a combat report of a young 31 year old officer who fought for Britain in 1940, The Battle of Britain. The report, written by him, told his story of a dog fight a few miles off Portland Bill. He recounted his graphic memories of fighting the enemy in mid air and reported the damage done to his plane from enemy fire. I researched this man with the help of a dear friend who I had shared this report with, he found that 10 days after the report was written the brave officer Jaques Pillapart died in aerial combat, fighting bravely for our country and our freedom. He came from a family of aviation pioneers and to this day is a museum in Belgium dedicated to the work they contributed to the aviation world. This so touched me that I wrote a poem entitled ‘One particular hero’ the story of just one of the hero’s who go to war and lose their lives…protecting us, our country and future generations. Every person we lose leaves us a legacy of something, those we know personally leave us memories and good lessons in life, those we do not know leave us the freedom to meet and spend time with those we do have the privilege to know. Be thankful for the fallen hero’s who we owe our lives to today and our children’s lives tomorrow but most of all make the most of the life you have.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:21:01 +0000
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