The Eve of the Night of all Nights,
On the 30th of June 1916 the
command arrived. Thousands of troupes across the trenches in France, Belgium
and Germany were given the news: tomorrow at dawn, we fight. The epicentre was
at the Somme, in France, in a Summer that was closer to November than July where rain and mud had wrecked the usual tranquil soil. No birds sang. No cricket chirped. No dog barked. The land was naked and bare and silent until the guns rang out.
Over 20,000 British Soldiers (of all races,
over 50 countries fought for us) lost their lives on the first day. ONE DAY. Over 60,000
were injured. Over 50 countries around the world fought for the Mother Land,
which was England. Everyone regardless of race or creed fought for a country they had never seen.
Tomorrow evening, my father, Major Andrew
George Greenwood will blow his 1915 whistle in Westminster Abbey to mark the “Going
over the top” of 100 years ago. He will then read a letter from a German Gunner
at the time who kept a diary of the horror and pain and desperation that he
witnessed. Yes, he was a German but he went on to save many lives that was beyond
the call of his country. Then his history and voice were forgotten, save his diary, no news was ever heard from that man. And he was just a man.
This is not sentimental or nostalgic. This is
fact.
After many years of War, after many losses,
the countries that were in combat formed a United Europe to avoid future conflict, to
give asylum, to welcome the dispersed and understand the victims of war and
dictatorship.
Sadly, many of these Ethics and promises
have since been distorted and one week ago England voted to leave Europe. As a European,and as an English woman and firm
supporter or Europe I am devastated beyond words. History has shown that we have had our price
to pay. In the last Century Great Britain was responsible for the division of
India in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan whose consequences were devastating
at the time with thousands of deaths and riots and the repercussions are the
tip of the Iceberg, and don’t get me started on Palestine and Ireland and Cyprus and the list goes on..... Anyway, this is not
a lecture about History. It is a mere invitation to reflect. We were supported
by many, many countries during the two Great Wars and in turn the people who
were drawn to England gave us so much, and they still do. Lets not make the hate divide what was once a
country that welcomed with open arms different race and religions.
This is just a gentle letter of remembrance,
of peace, of hope and above all: LOVE.
I live in Italy, the first port, the HOPE
of all the people who cross the sea come here. They are amazing. They really
are. Many speak 3 languages or more, some are nurses, doctors, farmers who pick the fruit we eat. So please, remember the 1915 whistle and thank some far off Dynasty that
we can vote (and if you didn't then that is a great shame), we can choose and we can (God willing) change.
For my
Dad, who I love beyond words
