The Long March to Freedom

In loving memory of my dear Granddad, and my inspiration to do what I do.
Ever think you are having a hard time in life....remember those who gave everything to ensure peace for others.
Remembrance is not just once a year, it is a sense of gratitude you should carry throughout your life.

[@janetneatby6586]

My father was on the long march. He served with the Black Watch of Montreal and spent 3 years at Stalag 8B from 1942 until 1945. He was captured on the blue beach at Dieppe. France on August 19, 1942.

[@richieuk2002]

My grandfather was also in this march his name was Richard Heighton and served with The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders.
My Hero

[@williamhawkins5476]

My father was one of these poor prisoners. He ended up with frost bite in both feet. He used garden brooms as crutches. He was lucky he survived but never spoke of it. He died at 67 years of age.

[@Mezza]

My Great Grandfather William Batty was captured in 1943. He was part of BEF was evacuated from Dunkirk. He went from there onto the Middle East and North Africa, he fought at Tobruk which is where we think he was captured. He managed to survive the march back though he was a walking skeleton, he never really recovered and I remember him being extremely thin even when I was a child in the 90s. He never spoke of his experiences to me and my Uncle is currently doing more research as his records and medals “disappeared” after my great grandfather passed away.

[@Carkysunt]

My grandfather also never spoke of it until I joined up. Then it was as if he trusted me to understand a little of how he felt.

[@sichere]

My Grandad did this too - He was the taken at Dunkirk and had to do the walk in the hot summer of 1940 and then after 5 years of captivity did it again in the cold winter of 1945. The Red Cross kept them alive with food parcels. The things he saw and survived changed him forever. On his return he worked in a British Leyland factory for 25 years until his retirement when he got a cheap watch and no medals or recognition for the five years of horror he endured. and for what ?

[@Carkysunt]

sichere For what? The answer is for everything and everyone. Be proud that he suffered so that millions could stop suffering. Whether POW or not these men are true gentlemen and heroes, medals are not the thing that is important to a Soldier, a sense of "doing the right thing for others" is worth so much more than a trinket.

[@sichere]

Carky - The march became every man for himself and the "doing the right thing" was what they "had to do". What they all endured did not put an end to the suffering of millions but was only a small part of it. War is senseless that inflicts the many, whilst being fought by the few and caused by the fewest. I am immensely proud that he managed to survive but his fate was not in his hands and evil is the man who holds the key to another mans freedom. I have received an award for bravery myself and did not do the deed to get an award but if I had to do it again I'd have no second thoughts, I doubt any of those poor men wanted to go to war for Queen or country again.
My point is that many of these men were forgotten and their plight and of that of many others such as bomber command has not been recognised,
The situation in the world today is perverse with " Kardashian X Factor Reality Island" 24/7 whilst genocide continues around the world and the real hero's are overlooked and cast aside with "diversity" being promoted. My Grandad died a few years after retirement, he never asked for help but needed it the most. He would not recognise his home town now and would be considered a stranger, it's so sad that those that shout the loudest are listened to most over the ones that speak the most sense quietly.

[@Carkysunt]

That is saddening to hear. I think generally senior UK citizens are not cared for or supported anywhere near enough by the Government

[@sichere]

The only thing I have left of my Grandad is his pipe and the fondest of memories. The state even collects it's reward when the grim reaper calls.
Many British prisoners of war went through the Royal Pay Warrant, and were deprived of large sums of money due to them. What he fought for was to get back home, which is now long gone and unrecognisable.
Britain and the commonwealth once stood alone against a corrupt ideology but even today tyranny and injustice persist, and that's such a shame for all those that went before us.

[@Carkysunt]

unbelievable what they did, my Grandfather didn't speak about it to me until I joined, then his experiences put mine to shame...all respect to the old and bold.

[@Carkysunt]

My Grandfather revisited the place where he worked as a POW in Poland, and the shed with all the tools, still was standing as they had left it.

[@hel9425]

I remember those times there where some very hard days and some not so much

[@stephensaunders732]

To see the full horrors of the story visit vimeo.com/ondemand/thelongmarchtofreedom - a great documentary.

[@carlosin-danger1128]

I typed in search engine CNN LONG MARG TO FGREEDDOM, WHY did this come up? Please remove it. Forthwith.

[@Carkysunt]

Ha ha erm... ha i see what you did there, amazing play on words