Sunday, November 9, 2008

Remembrance Sunday


...They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;.....

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), (For the Fallen)


In memory of my Uncle, Ronny.

Able Seaman Ronald Keenan C/JX 155544
H.M. SUBMARINE THUNDERBOLT, ROYAL NAVY
who died age 20
on 13 March, 1943.
Son of James and May Keenan,
husband of Doris Keenan
of Wallsend, Northumberland.

"The Admiralty regrets to announce that HM Submarine Thunderbolt must now be considered lost."

Thunderbolt (ex Thetis)
Sunk Bay of Biscay by Italian Corvette Cicogna.
13th of March 1943.

We never met.
You died too young; before I was born.
R.I.P.
You are not forgotten.
With grateful thanks for your sacrifice.
Your loving niece,
Pat.

6 comments:

Busy Bee Suz said...

Great tribute. So sad that he had such a short life. May he rest in peace.

C said...

aawwwww, how bittersweet for you clippy. i too have relatives i've never known for similar reasons. i like to think that parts of them live on in us, who are here now. well, it brings me comfort, anyway. god bless them all.

C

p.s.
i really like the flower in the picture.... it's beautiful.

C said...

oh by the way, where in canada do you live? i have family in montreal and quebec city.

Anonymous said...

watched the Rememberance Sunday parade today from Whitehall London, on t.v -never fails to bring a tear to your eye and be so very proud of their sacrafice.
RIP Uncle Ronny x

Helen said...

Like vron,I too watched the TV showing of the Remembrance Day Parade in London with tears in my eyes,mostly due to the moving sight of those proud old men marching to remember their fallen comrades - youre heroes lads one & all! We owe you all soo much, everything in fact!!!

Clippy Mat said...

thanks suz and c, wor vron and helen.
nice comments and very much appreciated, as always.
:-)