It's really beautiful that the Unknown Warrior wasn't just buried anywhere. He was buried in the center. Surrounded by the Kings. The greatest honor for someone who made the ultimate sacrifice.
My Grandad was one of those that collected and dug up the dead on Battle Fields,I remember him as a very quiet gental man,I think he was in the Pioneers, he never spoke of the war we found out from our Granma,what horrible nightmares he must have had,I was 16 when he died,I'm 75 now, still have lovely memories of him and his toothy grin,I'm upsetting myself here,Rest in Peace Grandad xx
My grandfather served in WW1 on the Somme. He never really talked about what he and his comrades went through. On some occasions he would wonder why he survived when so many others didn't. He often would talk to me about the need of how the strong should defend the weak. He also would tell me that the soldiers survival rate was counted in days rather than months. I was aged about 9 years old at the time. He was a proud man who had been through hell. But he had great faith in his country. He was proud that both my mother and father served in WW2. But on occasion he would say that they had it easy compared to what his comrades went through. Later, after he passed I joined the military in honour of him and my parents. I served 20 years in the Army and I'm proud to have served my country. But more than that, I am proud that I honoured him, my parents and every other person who served before me.
My Grandfather fought in WW1. He was in the regular army before the war. His regiment (Royal West Kents) fought first in Mesopotamia and later on the Somme and at Ypres. He was wounded twice and I'm sure this saved his life. He had to come back to the UK to heal his wounds whilst his regiment was cut to pieces. He never spoke of his time in WW1. But he said he was the only male survivor of his class from the local village school.
One of my grandfathers also survived the whole four years. He would never talk about it, not to his children or his grandchildren. My grandma's twin brother was killed on the first day of the Somme. I still put a cross on the cenotaph here for him every 11 November.
@@catgladwell5684 My great grandfather was also killed on the first day of the somme, his dead mans penny was displayed in my mothers house for many years!
@@user-lf3wr8rh7r Good on your mother. Every November, I feel that my paltry tribute to my dead at 19 great uncle is something of a farce, but what else can we children of more fortunate generations do? It is better than nothing, I always think. Grandma cherished her tiny black and white photo of her dearly loved brother for the rest of her long life. I loved her, and there is nothing else I can do.
My grandfather was in Royal West Kents too - he also went to Mesopotamia - he said that was the only reason that he survived - his brothers were in the Lancashire Fusiliers and were all killed on the Western front. In WWII he ended up as CO of the Maidstone barracks (too old for active service by then).
Thanks for posting . Thinking of all those soldiers from then United India who fought in WW1 and died in a foreign land never to be seen again by loved ones back home. May they all rest in peace with their compatriots.
My G/Uncle was one of those fallen and his body never recovered, Harry Martin White G/326 Queens Own Royal West Kents. Killed by shellfire on the 14th Oct 1915 at the battle of Loos. It gives a little piece of mind that this unknown soldier could be anyone of our lost loved one's. May they all rest in peace now as their job is done.
Thank you for this account of the selection for the grave of the unknown soldier🙏 My grandfather, Arthur Spring, fought in this war. He was gassed and when he returned to Canada, he spent some time in the veterans hospital n London, Ontario. He died 55 years ago of a heart attack in Hamilton, Ontario, at the age of 76. He was a sweet man and I loved him dearly😔
My sister lived in Hamilton for many years, sadly she recently passed away,our grandfather also fought in WW1,he was awarded the Military Medal, luckily he returned home, I take care of his grave and will do as long as I can.
My father who was a teenager during WW1 always said that the best of British men died during the wars. He said in some cases, villages lost all their young men. It is hard to imagine those losses.
That's true. I remember reading that they would put all the young men from a village into one unit believing they would fight better alongside their friends.
"The Lost Generation" Totally unnecessary, even more so than most wars. An anarchist assassinated a Prussian royal. Prussia went on military alert. Then Russia went on military alert. A great overreaction which sent almost all the European countries into a frenzy. Secret treaties, historians later discovered, required that if nation A was "threatened" nation B would would jump in. One reason why all such treaties since are public. No one was sure what was going on but "best be prepared for the worst", and by so doing created "the worst". Oh and there hadn't been a jolly good war in a long time so let's have one. Glory and honor old boy!
That was the tragedy of the “Pals Battalions” - entire units made up from one single town or neighbourhood - and the entire battalion was wiped out in one battle on the western front.
As a mother of two adult sons I can’t imagine them going to war and their bodies never being found. I think it would tear my heart into pieces it would be too tragic for me to stand. 😢
This is by far the best episode you have produced. Articulately, intelligently, informatively by far and away the most respectful and sensitive presentation!
They go into some depth on the retrieval of bodies from the battlefields, where possible. It was horrific. The rotting decomposing corpses in no man's land. There were millions of very fat rats gorging themselves on rotting human flesh. That's the reality. That's why so many of the survivors didn't want to talk about it. There is NOTHING that's "glorious" about war.
So many soldiers, many just boys, so far from home, and still on the battlefield. I've been there, and you can FEEL that something terrible has happened in those places. I'm sure that if someone was taken to one of the battlefields, and somehow they didn't know the history of the area, they'd still feel it too. It doesn't matter who the unknown warrior is. They all died fighting for their countries, and died for what they believe in.
I'm sorry but I don't agree they fought and killed other young men for their countries and for what they believed in: war takes on its own momentum once the killing begins.
@@jacquelineclare2373 The Germans and Japanese didn't have any choice, but everyone in the Allied Armed Forces always had the option of becoming a conscientious objector. Obviously in Germany you'd get shot for that sort of thing, and in Japan it would be regarded as a tremendous loss of 'honor' and the whole family would be ostracized.
@24934637 Ostensibly, yes, you had a choice, but not really. This was before the days of conscientious objection, and, like in Japan, as you mentioned, it was seen as greatly dishonourable to not serve. Many men felt pressured by society into enlisting, and they were shamed as cowards for not doing so. See the infamous White Feather Campaign. That and this was back in an era where the flow of information was controlled much more thoroughly. The men who joined thought it would be some sort of adventure and had no idea what they were REALLY getting themselves into. You just have to look at the propoganda posters of the front at the time and the testimonies of veterans to realise.
What a totally moving programme. I was in tears. Thank you ….. everyone. God rest all the souls who departed this life in this pointless and horrific war, as are all wars 😓
That was an amazing historical recount - thank you so much. So much thought was put into commemorating those lost but never returned to their families.
The oak coffin with the crusader sword is nothing short of spectacular. Every time I'm in London I always make sure to pay my respects at The Cenotaph and The Tomb at The Abbey. If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam; A body of England’s, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven. Rupert Brooke 1915
It’s also worth looking at the history of the Commonwealth War Graves. Apart from anything else, it introduced the idea of equality in terms of headstones.
Yes, even those shot at dawn, no matter how wrong that was, were buried with the same respect, as those who died on the battle field, or may more who died from infections after being injured.
Outstanding and poignant. I was not aware of the story behind this. Especially as it was noted and commented on during the burial service of the Queen.
So incredibly moving. Cried at the bravery of all these men who gave their lives and died in such horror without the burial they deserved. It was a beautiful idea. Rest in Peace all the unknown warriors. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten 🕊❤
It's an amazing church - almost a thousand years of English and British history within it's walls, including the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. I've been on a number of occasions, and, every time, the Tomb has been moving for me. On pillars nearby, there's medals which were awarded to the Unknown Warrior by both the UK and the United States.
Wow oh wow. What a Wonderful Documentary. Photography moves from period photos to current with beautiful, appropriate revenant music and dialogue providing history of conception of the unknown soldier placed in Westminster abbey so all could have a place to grieve the personal and collective sacrifices and losses in WWI. Very impressive program.
I can recommend the "Forgotten Voices" volume dedicated to WW1. Anecdotes from ordinary people who were really there at the front, recorded whilst they were still living. A grim reminder for us all, of the brutal reality of that kind of warfare.
Love this channel. Started watching during the early days of covid. when lockdown was new and things were still uncertain, the livestreams were a welcome respite. Thank you again for that- thank you to everyone who produces/ manages this content.
@@Pius-XIthe unknown Vietnam veteran was identified and removed from the tomb, there were 3 bodies inside originally. He was iidentified as 1st Lt Michael J Blassie.
Thanks for the wonderful video, beautifully done. On an episode of Antiques Roadshow UK, someone brought in objects relating to the tomb of the unknown warrior/soldier. This person’s relative was asked to make the wrought iron work. It was an integral part of the final coffin design, and so several different versions were made for review, and one was finally chosen and the beautiful oak and iron coffin was made. The episode would not be too difficult to find, and the items and the information was fantastic. From memory, the expert involved was quite taken aback when presented with not just the beautiful objects, but also the story that went along with them. It’s an aspect and detail of this powerful event that isn’t really heard about. Anyway, it’s worth checking out if you are interested in this kind of thing. 🙂🐿❤️🌈
I thought this story was well known The railway van which was used to return the executed Edith Cavell and Charles Fryatt home fir burial was also used to carry the unknown soldier, I have always found this very touching .
A great explanation, history and ultimately show of respect for the sacrifice of so many. Shame You Tube couldn't forgo advert interruption (bit disrespectful!)
Fascinating video. My Great-Uncles, Henry and Ernest Clark, were two of those with unknown graves. Henry (Harry) is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres and Ernie on a war memorial just outside the village of Vis-en-Artois near Arras.
Highly recommend Neil Hanson’s Unknown Soldiers: The story of the missing of WWl. Details the impetus behind the creation of this and other memorials to the unknown dead and why that became such an acute painful result of this war.
That was a great presentation. I knew some of the facts, but not in this depth. My Great Grandfather was killed on the Somme. He does have a known grave that I have visited, in a small cemetery. I have copies of the photograph of his grave with the original wooden cross. I understand the crosses with the metal plaque were offered to the families. I'm not sure what happened to his, but am aware that many rest in churches in the UK. From my own research using the War Diary of his unit, I have found the location where he was mortally wounded, to around a 500 metre stretch of road. That will be my next visit. A magnificent coffin with that Crusader sword.
The novels of Charles Todd (actually an American mother and son team) first written in 1996 bring home the anguish and devastation of WWl and the loss of a generation of British men. And we repeated it even more terribly twenty-five years later.
@Robert Stallard Then there are those permanently scarred or maimed, crippled, or those, like my own grandfather, who eventually ended his days in a psychiatric hospital suffering from a recurrence of "shell shock", today called PTSD (triggered by Home Guard service in WW2). Don't be dismissive of the true losses of young men and their loved ones. Then, of course, the pandemic took away many more, an estimated fifty million world wide
@Robert Stallard You have a narrow minded view of the term. Lost doesn’t refer to purely dead. Lost refers to the general loss off innocence and trauma that that generation felt. There are many stories of lost men, ruined mentally and physically who would beg on the streets or suffer in silence later to end their own lives like some of my relatives. In terms of my own family take my 2xgreat grandfather for example: he lost a brother, 2x brothers-in-law, 8 cousins and 2 sons of cousins to one war. He was from just a country town of Bunbury in Western Australia. Think of all those families who were ruined. The term ‘Lost Generation’ is more holistic than simply death numbers.
@@q8gyj26s well said sir! Those losses were horrific in terms of just one family. I salute them all. RIP them all. The Dominions came forth in both World Wars and did the British Empire proud.
Fascinating video is an immensely important place, as it said for all those who don't have graves, I went to the old western front for the first time in march and paid my respects to my great grand uncle who's name is on the arras memorial is sad not having a grave to go to but the unknown warrior gives them that recognition Private Thomas Reuben Bull 1st/4th Leicesters Killed in action aged 23 🕯
In this video we can see how a person's determination and unwillingness to quit upon rejection can be instrumental in bringing about a worthy goal to fruition.
Amazing film and Justin Saddington was himself a remarkable story-teller, with every detail fluently to hand. My age is one where, coincidentally, I have grandparents and uncles who fought in the Second World War and great grandparents in the first. We didn't really walk about WWII with my grandfather, he didn't talk and when I did once ask about his DFC, he just said "everyone got one". However, my grandparents did talk about WWI, of kilts being ironed and lice falling out the pleats. My grandmother lost her brothers, which as a child I just took unemotionally, but now I can't imagine her sadness. The unknown soldier is such a special thing and a remarkable idea. That was a padre who looked after his men.
Definitely one of the saddest but respected videos and reports I have ever seen and put together in such a memorable way. I welled up several times as I am sure thousands who have seen it have. So much information given and a wonderfully moving reading by Dan Snow at the end.
I highly recommend a pilgrimage to the battlefields and cemeteries of WW1. It fundamentally changes you in such a humbling, emphatic way. My children and myself will be forever blessed by our experience there. We now understand the sacrifice and utter unnecessary loss of a generation of youth destined for slaughter. We will never forget them. They should all have been buried amongst kings.....
When British soldiers bodies were being repatriated from Afghanistan and Iraq via RAF Lyneham, and through the town of Wootton Bassett, it occurred to me that if (purely hypothetically of course, and as an illustration of the scale of loss) what might have happened if we had repatriated our dead from WW1. If we had repatriated one body an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, non-stop, then the process would have taken 100 years. If the process had started at the moment of the end of the war, 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, then Britain would have completed the task only four years ago. An identical effort by the French would be ongoing until the year 2078. Staggering, when you think about it in those terms.
"In proud memory of those warriors who died unknown in the Great War, Unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold, they live" King George the V wrote that on the card he placed on the coffin of the Unknown warrior.
My husband's uncle was killed and buried in The Churchyard Extension, Erquinghem-sur-Lys just outside of Armentieres. We would visit it every year and lay a poppy cross at his grave. My grandad, thankfully, survived the war with just a shrapnel wound in his neck to remind him. One fact is that the Unknown Warrior, when brought back to England, was put in a railway carriage at Dover, this was the same carriage that carried the body of Nurse Edith Cavell who was executed by firing squad in Belgium for helping British soldiers to escape. They gave the greatest gift of all, their lives
I'll make a note to visit when Im in London. Thanks for this video. In Kuala Lumpur, the national memorial also has a unknown soldier monument, you wouldn't we have a WWI memorial here but we do. Just goes to show how far it spread. If I'm not wrong, they still play the bugle every morning. Sad times we often forget.
A rough calculation yields that roughly 4400 soldiers were killed for every km of trench. That's all allies and all central powers combined. It includes naval and air personnel, so it is a little skewed, but it does show the barbarity of WWI.
@@russell7852 Britain caused a lot of needless deaths with poor decisions, the entire deal with invading the ottomans got them destroyed, they lost like 500k guys trying to invade. And then they had this one general who ordered a charge along the entire front all at once got a bunch of guys killed.
My great grandma had 7 sons. All of them fought, and all of them came home. She felt guilty all her life because everyone she knew had lost at least one boy.
The identity of the unknown warrior isn't a mistery. Look at the names of those quarter million graveless soldiers, and those who came to the same grisly fate on later conflicts. He is all of them.
the unknown warrior was first proposed by an English military chaplain 1917 the actual process began in 1920 the american version came in a year later their war dead was a 100,000 the british and commonwealth war dead was over 800.000 thats why its remembered the big difference between both is the americans celebrate there memorial day with a barbecue and bands because it was a victory the british /commonwealth treat it in a solorm dignified way remembering the fallen
I am so lucky. I was able to travel from Canada to the UK and then to Arras, where my grt uncle is buried. As far as my family tree research shows, he is the only one who lost his life (at 25 yrs young) although many of my uncles and great uncles served. I wonder how many 15/16 year olds would come forward today if they were asked to serve their country. . . .
Years ago I was part of a team that with great difficulty recovered the remains of one of our fallen servicemen. It was a great honour, I wish I could have done more. I can say with authority the Ministry Of Defence knows of the locations of the remains of service personnel, particularly from WW2 but won’t do anything other than block attempts of recovery. The Americans have a special unit with virtually unlimited funding that travel the world to do thid
If that is the case then that is truly despicable on the part of the MOD. Government budgets I suppose, as I can think of no earthly reason other than financial for their refusal to help lay these gallant men who gave their all, for us all who came after them. RIP them all.
My great uncle died in captivity in Pyongyang prison nr 3 held by the Chinese during the Korean war . He was part of the UN contingent that came to help . He was part of the Belgian contingent. He was MIA then WIA then POW . He died in 1952 aged 22 in captivity by the Chinese in Pyongyang
The original ironwork was considered unsuitable. Prime Minister David Lloyd George sent samples of the ironwork to his friend JD. Williams, Brunswick Iron Works in Caernarfon and requested much better items were made. Brunswick Iron Works worked overnight to produce suitable items and the next day J.D. Williams personally took them by train to London to Lloyd George. They were immediately accepted and fitted to the coffin.
I feel like searching for any clues as to whom this person might be takes away from the purpose. Anything that narrows down a location or battle, narrows down the relevance this grave might have for families
@@3lli0 After he was identified, the tomb honoring the Unknown Soldier from Vietnam was left empty. The stone over the tomb was changed to remember all the Missing in Action from Vietnam.
It's really beautiful that the Unknown Warrior wasn't just buried anywhere. He was buried in the center. Surrounded by the Kings. The greatest honor for someone who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Well put
Not alongside but in the center
He is above the kings. He earned his glory and respect.
It's the kings who are honored by his presence.
True. That's even better. @@johanengelen8979
My Grandad was one of those that collected and dug up the dead on Battle Fields,I remember him as a very quiet gental man,I think he was in the Pioneers, he never spoke of the war we found out from our Granma,what horrible nightmares he must have had,I was 16 when he died,I'm 75 now, still have lovely memories of him and his toothy grin,I'm upsetting myself here,Rest in Peace Grandad xx
My grandfather was a Coldstream Gaurd & coffin bearer at this funeral.
May God and all who read your word,s look with love and respect for all your Grangdad did,
My grandfather served in WW1 on the Somme. He never really talked about what he and his comrades went through. On some occasions he would wonder why he survived when so many others didn't. He often would talk to me about the need of how the strong should defend the weak. He also would tell me that the soldiers survival rate was counted in days rather than months. I was aged about 9 years old at the time. He was a proud man who had been through hell. But he had great faith in his country. He was proud that both my mother and father served in WW2. But on occasion he would say that they had it easy compared to what his comrades went through. Later, after he passed I joined the military in honour of him and my parents. I served 20 years in the Army and I'm proud to have served my country. But more than that, I am proud that I honoured him, my parents and every other person who served before me.
My Grandfather fought in WW1. He was in the regular army before the war. His regiment (Royal West Kents) fought first in Mesopotamia and later on the Somme and at Ypres. He was wounded twice and I'm sure this saved his life. He had to come back to the UK to heal his wounds whilst his regiment was cut to pieces. He never spoke of his time in WW1. But he said he was the only male survivor of his class from the local village school.
One of my grandfathers also survived the whole four years. He would never talk about it, not to his children or his grandchildren. My grandma's twin brother was killed on the first day of the Somme. I still put a cross on the cenotaph here for him every 11 November.
@@catgladwell5684 My great grandfather was also killed on the first day of the somme, his dead mans penny was displayed in my mothers house for many years!
@@user-lf3wr8rh7r Good on your mother. Every November, I feel that my paltry tribute to my dead at 19 great uncle is something of a farce, but what else can we children of more fortunate generations do? It is better than nothing, I always think. Grandma cherished her tiny black and white photo of her dearly loved brother for the rest of her long life. I loved her, and there is nothing else I can do.
My grandfather was in Royal West Kents too - he also went to Mesopotamia - he said that was the only reason that he survived - his brothers were in the Lancashire Fusiliers and were all killed on the Western front. In WWII he ended up as CO of the Maidstone barracks (too old for active service by then).
God Bless
Thanks for posting . Thinking of all those soldiers from then United India who fought in WW1 and died in a foreign land never to be seen again by loved ones back home. May they all rest in peace with their compatriots.
My G/Uncle was one of those fallen and his body never recovered, Harry Martin White G/326 Queens Own Royal West Kents. Killed by shellfire on the 14th Oct 1915 at the battle of Loos. It gives a little piece of mind that this unknown soldier could be anyone of our lost loved one's. May they all rest in peace now as their job is done.
My late husband served in the Queen's Regiment but sadly the troubles in N Ireland mentally took their toll on him
"Loved ones" you've never met. Ok
@@elizabethsands4470 So sad for them and us all Elizabeth.
Well said
@@monkeytennis8861 show some respect . Respect costs nothing .
Thank you for this account of the selection for the grave of the unknown soldier🙏
My grandfather, Arthur Spring, fought in this war. He was gassed and when he returned to Canada, he spent some time in the veterans hospital n London, Ontario. He died 55 years ago of a heart attack in Hamilton, Ontario, at the age of 76. He was a sweet man and I loved him dearly😔
We will remember him.
My sister lived in Hamilton for many years, sadly she recently passed away,our grandfather also fought in WW1,he was awarded the Military Medal, luckily he returned home, I take care of his grave and will do as long as I can.
Thank you for sharing him with us, I will remember his name.
My grandfather also in ww1 but do not the regiment he was in but he did show me one of medals
If you look at britain and other european nations lost a whole generation as well as New Zealand Australia America
My father who was a teenager during WW1 always said that the best of British men died during the wars. He said in some cases, villages lost all their young men. It is hard to imagine those losses.
That's true. I remember reading that they would put all the young men from a village into one unit believing they would fight better alongside their friends.
"The Lost Generation"
Totally unnecessary, even more so than most wars.
An anarchist assassinated a Prussian royal. Prussia went on military alert.
Then Russia went on military alert. A great overreaction which sent almost all the European countries into a frenzy.
Secret treaties, historians later discovered, required that if nation A was "threatened" nation B would would jump in. One reason why all such treaties since are public.
No one was sure what was going on but "best be prepared for the worst", and by so doing created "the worst".
Oh and there hadn't been a jolly good war in a long time so let's have one. Glory and honor old boy!
That was the tragedy of the “Pals Battalions” - entire units made up from one single town or neighbourhood - and the entire battalion was wiped out in one battle on the western front.
As a mother of two adult sons I can’t imagine them going to war and their bodies never being found. I think it would tear my heart into pieces it would be too tragic for me to stand. 😢
This is by far the best episode you have produced. Articulately, intelligently, informatively by far and away the most respectful and sensitive presentation!
They go into some depth on the retrieval of bodies from the battlefields, where possible. It was horrific. The rotting decomposing corpses in no man's land. There were millions of very fat rats gorging themselves on rotting human flesh. That's the reality.
That's why so many of the survivors didn't want to talk about it.
There is NOTHING that's "glorious" about war.
They shall never be forgotten 🇬🇧🏴
So many soldiers, many just boys, so far from home, and still on the battlefield. I've been there, and you can FEEL that something terrible has happened in those places. I'm sure that if someone was taken to one of the battlefields, and somehow they didn't know the history of the area, they'd still feel it too. It doesn't matter who the unknown warrior is. They all died fighting for their countries, and died for what they believe in.
It's a shame that we their descendants have to judge the wrong of it and make on sides casualties in the service of evil!
I'm sorry but I don't agree they fought and killed other young men for their countries and for what they believed in: war takes on its own momentum once the killing begins.
Died for what they believe in.. or just cannon fodder? They had no choice.
@@jacquelineclare2373 The Germans and Japanese didn't have any choice, but everyone in the Allied Armed Forces always had the option of becoming a conscientious objector. Obviously in Germany you'd get shot for that sort of thing, and in Japan it would be regarded as a tremendous loss of 'honor' and the whole family would be ostracized.
@24934637 Ostensibly, yes, you had a choice, but not really. This was before the days of conscientious objection, and, like in Japan, as you mentioned, it was seen as greatly dishonourable to not serve. Many men felt pressured by society into enlisting, and they were shamed as cowards for not doing so. See the infamous White Feather Campaign. That and this was back in an era where the flow of information was controlled much more thoroughly. The men who joined thought it would be some sort of adventure and had no idea what they were REALLY getting themselves into. You just have to look at the propoganda posters of the front at the time and the testimonies of veterans to realise.
Amazing. RIP to all the men that died in that awful war 🇬🇧
And these casualties are ONLY those from the Western Front. Not counting those in Turkey and Armenia and the East.
RIP heroes
What a totally moving programme. I was in tears. Thank you ….. everyone.
God rest all the souls who departed this life in this pointless and horrific war, as are all wars 😓
That was an amazing historical recount - thank you so much. So much thought was put into commemorating those lost but never returned to their families.
The oak coffin with the crusader sword is nothing short of spectacular. Every time I'm in London I always make sure to pay my respects at The Cenotaph and The Tomb at The Abbey.
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam;
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
Rupert Brooke 1915
Amazing did he write anything later in the war? Sorry guess not since he was killed in April 1915. Another loss to the world, mankind, the universe.
Beautiful!
Rupert Brooke’s house and his “local hangout” are in the beautiful village of Granchester, Cambridge. Worth a visit.
Wasn't he mentioned in horrible histories?
@@y0url0calb1n I'm not sure...maybe. I've seen a few episodes but not all. It wouldn't be a total surprise if he did feature at some point.
Bloody well done. Very moving indeed. The first of our special generations. RIP.
One of my ancestors is among the 73,000 names of the missing at Thiepval on the Somme battlefield. 73,000 on just one battlefield is just staggering
It’s also worth looking at the history of the Commonwealth War Graves. Apart from anything else, it introduced the idea of equality in terms of headstones.
Yes, even those shot at dawn, no matter how wrong that was, were buried with the same respect, as those who died on the battle field, or may more who died from infections after being injured.
Very moving. Just like our tomb of the unknown soldier I am very moved by the honor shown here.
Outstanding and poignant. I was not aware of the story behind this. Especially as it was noted and commented on during the burial service of the Queen.
So incredibly moving. Cried at the bravery of all these men who gave their lives and died in such horror without the burial they deserved. It was a beautiful idea. Rest in Peace all the unknown warriors. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten 🕊❤
RIP to all the ordinary soldiers that have died & will die in wars not of their making.
Westminster Abbey is a place i would love to visit. What a beautiful historic place..
It's an amazing church - almost a thousand years of English and British history within it's walls, including the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. I've been on a number of occasions, and, every time, the Tomb has been moving for me. On pillars nearby, there's medals which were awarded to the Unknown Warrior by both the UK and the United States.
This country and the people of this country will honour them as long as we live.
Wow oh wow. What a
Wonderful Documentary. Photography moves from period photos to current with beautiful, appropriate revenant music and dialogue providing history of conception of the unknown soldier placed in Westminster abbey so all could have a place to grieve the personal and collective sacrifices and losses in WWI. Very impressive program.
I can recommend the "Forgotten Voices" volume dedicated to WW1. Anecdotes from ordinary people who were really there at the front, recorded whilst they were still living.
A grim reminder for us all, of the brutal reality of that kind of warfare.
Love this channel. Started watching during the early days of covid. when lockdown was new and things were still uncertain, the livestreams were a welcome respite. Thank you again for that- thank you to everyone who produces/ manages this content.
the guests of honour at the funeral were a group of about 100 women who had lost their husbands and all their sons in the war
Watching this is so humbling.
Not gonna lie.....I choked up at the end with the reading of the Stone. Very well done.
It is important that we never know the true identity of The Unknown Warrior.
Yes I totally agree. Apparently the identity of the US unknown warrior is known . That's so sad .
@@skylarkman2000 No. It's not
@@Pius-XI yes it is. If it is known then that man should have a headstone with his name on it.
@@Pius-XIthe unknown Vietnam veteran was identified and removed from the tomb, there were 3 bodies inside originally.
He was iidentified as 1st Lt Michael J Blassie.
@@yammydodger1988 I know. I'm talking about the others
Thanks for the wonderful video, beautifully done.
On an episode of Antiques Roadshow UK, someone brought in objects relating to the tomb of the unknown warrior/soldier.
This person’s relative was asked to make the wrought iron work. It was an integral part of the final coffin design, and so several different versions were made for review, and one was finally chosen and the beautiful oak and iron coffin was made.
The episode would not be too difficult to find, and the items and the information was fantastic.
From memory, the expert involved was quite taken aback when presented with not just the beautiful objects, but also the story that went along with them.
It’s an aspect and detail of this powerful event that isn’t really heard about.
Anyway, it’s worth checking out if you are interested in this kind of thing.
🙂🐿❤️🌈
I've been fascinated by this story since I first read about it. Such a morbid, yet loving tribute - I got to visit in person earlier this year.
Then you should read Neil Hanson's "The Unknown Soldier".....
Thank you for the background and information on the Unknown Warrior! A somber but moving presentation.
A wonderful account, befitting of those who laid down the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the commonwealth. Thank you
I thought this story was well known
The railway van which was used to return the executed Edith Cavell and Charles Fryatt home fir burial was also used to carry the unknown soldier, I have always found this very touching .
Never heard these names, interesting fact.
A great explanation, history and ultimately show of respect for the sacrifice of so many. Shame You Tube couldn't forgo advert interruption (bit disrespectful!)
Snowflake. The channel size determines monetisation.
Fascinating video. My Great-Uncles, Henry and Ernest Clark, were two of those with unknown graves. Henry (Harry) is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres and Ernie on a war memorial just outside the village of Vis-en-Artois near Arras.
Highly recommend Neil Hanson’s Unknown Soldiers: The story of the missing of WWl. Details the impetus behind the creation of this and other memorials to the unknown dead and why that became such an acute painful result of this war.
Thank you, very well done.🌹❤
Battle of the Somme, 1st wave at 07:30 William Thomas Butchers fell within the allied lines, never recovered.
We will remember them all
That was a great presentation. I knew some of the facts, but not in this depth.
My Great Grandfather was killed on the Somme. He does have a known grave that I have visited, in a small cemetery. I have copies of the photograph of his grave with the original wooden cross. I understand the crosses with the metal plaque were offered to the families. I'm not sure what happened to his, but am aware that many rest in churches in the UK.
From my own research using the War Diary of his unit, I have found the location where he was mortally wounded, to around a 500 metre stretch of road. That will be my next visit.
A magnificent coffin with that Crusader sword.
The novels of Charles Todd (actually an American mother and son team) first written in 1996 bring home the anguish and devastation of WWl and the loss of a generation of British men. And we repeated it even more terribly twenty-five years later.
Good contextualisation- thanks for the perspective and ensuring that the facts did get in the way of this particular story!
@Robert Stallard Then there are those permanently scarred or maimed, crippled, or those, like my own grandfather, who eventually ended his days in a psychiatric hospital suffering from a recurrence of "shell shock", today called PTSD (triggered by Home Guard service in WW2).
Don't be dismissive of the true losses of young men and their loved ones.
Then, of course, the pandemic took away many more, an estimated fifty million world wide
@Robert Stallard You have a narrow minded view of the term. Lost doesn’t refer to purely dead. Lost refers to the general loss off innocence and trauma that that generation felt. There are many stories of lost men, ruined mentally and physically who would beg on the streets or suffer in silence later to end their own lives like some of my relatives.
In terms of my own family take my 2xgreat grandfather for example: he lost a brother, 2x brothers-in-law, 8 cousins and 2 sons of cousins to one war. He was from just a country town of Bunbury in Western Australia. Think of all those families who were ruined.
The term ‘Lost Generation’ is more holistic than simply death numbers.
@Robert Stallard tell that to the one survivor of the local village school in 1918
@@q8gyj26s well said sir! Those losses were horrific in terms of just one family. I salute them all. RIP them all. The Dominions came forth in both World Wars and did the British Empire proud.
Simply: Thank you
Just remember, 11th of November Remembrance Day, pay your respects, They gave their tomorrow for your today.
In War, Father buries their Sons, in Peace, Sons Buries their Fathers
I understand also that the coffin lay overnight at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dover, before being transported to London.
Great video very informative thanks for uploading it
Fascinating video is an immensely important place, as it said for all those who don't have graves, I went to the old western front for the first time in march and paid my respects to my great grand uncle who's name is on the arras memorial is sad not having a grave to go to but the unknown warrior gives them that recognition
Private Thomas Reuben Bull
1st/4th Leicesters
Killed in action aged 23
🕯
It's quality content like this that has made me a subscriber to this channel and coming back for more great content.
In this video we can see how a person's determination and unwillingness to quit upon rejection can be instrumental in bringing about a worthy goal to fruition.
Amazing film and Justin Saddington was himself a remarkable story-teller, with every detail fluently to hand. My age is one where, coincidentally, I have grandparents and uncles who fought in the Second World War and great grandparents in the first. We didn't really walk about WWII with my grandfather, he didn't talk and when I did once ask about his DFC, he just said "everyone got one". However, my grandparents did talk about WWI, of kilts being ironed and lice falling out the pleats. My grandmother lost her brothers, which as a child I just took unemotionally, but now I can't imagine her sadness. The unknown soldier is such a special thing and a remarkable idea. That was a padre who looked after his men.
Definitely one of the saddest but respected videos and reports I have ever seen and put together in such a memorable way. I welled up several times as I am sure thousands who have seen it have. So much information given and a wonderfully moving reading by Dan Snow at the end.
You made a very interesting video. Thank you for uploading.
Thank you for watching!
A very moving video. Most interesting thank you
Across Europe we all have those monuments. When I was a kid in the sea cadets corps . We always paid our respects and saluted those monuments.
Superb - Thankyou for posting
Incredible story,thanks for sharing
Every time I hear the story I have a tear in my eye - for all anyone knows he could be a 17 year old Private - so sad so much life lost 😥❤️
I loved this.
I highly recommend a pilgrimage to the battlefields and cemeteries of WW1. It fundamentally changes you in such a humbling, emphatic way. My children and myself will be forever blessed by our experience there. We now understand the sacrifice and utter unnecessary loss of a generation of youth destined for slaughter. We will never forget them. They should all have been buried amongst kings.....
When British soldiers bodies were being repatriated from Afghanistan and Iraq via RAF Lyneham, and through the town of Wootton Bassett, it occurred to me that if (purely hypothetically of course, and as an illustration of the scale of loss) what might have happened if we had repatriated our dead from WW1.
If we had repatriated one body an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, non-stop, then the process would have taken 100 years.
If the process had started at the moment of the end of the war, 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, then Britain would have completed the task only four years ago.
An identical effort by the French would be ongoing until the year 2078.
Staggering, when you think about it in those terms.
Thank you.
Great educational video friend. Rip Amen 🙏.
"In proud memory of those warriors who died unknown in the Great War, Unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold, they live"
King George the V wrote that on the card he placed on the coffin of the Unknown warrior.
74 vcs thats absolutely amazing I never knew that.
Good stuff. Keep this up.
My grandfather was killed in WW2. He has no known grave. I’ll be in Tunisia at the CWGC Cemetery site where his name is listed amongst the missing.
Amazing story. Not a dry eye here either!
Great video. Thank you.
The soldier at 4:11; I’d run back too, poor bastard.
Omg that map of the Graves is so sad. How the deceased were treated
My husband's uncle was killed and buried in The Churchyard Extension, Erquinghem-sur-Lys just outside of Armentieres. We would visit it every year and lay a poppy cross at his grave. My grandad, thankfully, survived the war with just a shrapnel wound in his neck to remind him. One fact is that the Unknown Warrior, when brought back to England, was put in a railway carriage at Dover, this was the same carriage that carried the body of Nurse Edith Cavell who was executed by firing squad in Belgium for helping British soldiers to escape. They gave the greatest gift of all, their lives
I'll make a note to visit when Im in London. Thanks for this video. In Kuala Lumpur, the national memorial also has a unknown soldier monument, you wouldn't we have a WWI memorial here but we do. Just goes to show how far it spread. If I'm not wrong, they still play the bugle every morning. Sad times we often forget.
A rough calculation yields that roughly 4400 soldiers were killed for every km of trench. That's all allies and all central powers combined. It includes naval and air personnel, so it is a little skewed, but it does show the barbarity of WWI.
Absolutely savage war. I have a beat up and FAR from a show gun old luger but she's 1916 and simply because of that I'll never sell
@@russell7852 Britain caused a lot of needless deaths with poor decisions, the entire deal with invading the ottomans got them destroyed, they lost like 500k guys trying to invade. And then they had this one general who ordered a charge along the entire front all at once got a bunch of guys killed.
@@pilsplease7561 all sides used human wave tactics. The somme and paschendale were horrible figures 20k in only a few hours of combat
My great grandma had 7 sons. All of them fought, and all of them came home.
She felt guilty all her life because everyone she knew had lost at least one boy.
I’ll just ❤ this chanel
Westminster Abbey is the most incredible complex! Beautiful and steeped in History. Worthily of hours of looking. ONLY ONE PROBLEM. No bathrooms!
I tend to have a bath before I go.
@@nickmiller76 chuckle!! Should have remembered to write WC’s!
And you have to pay. Wrong for the house of the lord
He rightly lies with Kings
Very interesting and moving vide 2x👍
The identity of the unknown warrior isn't a mistery. Look at the names of those quarter million graveless soldiers, and those who came to the same grisly fate on later conflicts. He is all of them.
the unknown warrior was first proposed by an English military chaplain 1917 the actual process began in 1920 the american version came in a year later their war dead was a 100,000 the british and commonwealth war dead was over 800.000 thats why its remembered the big difference between both is the americans celebrate there memorial day with a barbecue and bands because it was a victory the british /commonwealth treat it in a solorm dignified way remembering the fallen
I am so lucky. I was able to travel from Canada to the UK and then to Arras, where my grt uncle is buried. As far as my family tree research shows, he is the only one who lost his life (at 25 yrs young) although many of my uncles and great uncles served. I wonder how many 15/16 year olds would come forward today if they were asked to serve their country. . . .
Goosebumps here. Man has become so so petty in our world today; what a shame
That was fascinating
Interesting presentation.
I knew most of the detail but never knew the union flag that draped the coffin had been used as an alter cover in combat, as described that is magical
This was my grandfathers era he was in the black watch and had his lungs affected by the gas x
Years ago I was part of a team that with great difficulty recovered the remains of one of our fallen servicemen. It was a great honour, I wish I could have done more. I can say with authority the Ministry Of Defence knows of the locations of the remains of service personnel, particularly from WW2 but won’t do anything other than block attempts of recovery. The Americans have a special unit with virtually unlimited funding that travel the world to do thid
If that is the case then that is truly despicable on the part of the MOD. Government budgets I suppose, as I can think of no earthly reason other than financial for their refusal to help lay these gallant men who gave their all, for us all who came after them.
RIP them all.
Very moving thanks
No one knows Who (nation, Rank, Age ) point being NATION we will remember them ALL
.
My great uncle died in captivity in Pyongyang prison nr 3 held by the Chinese during the Korean war . He was part of the UN contingent that came to help . He was part of the Belgian contingent. He was MIA then WIA then POW . He died in 1952 aged 22 in captivity by the Chinese in Pyongyang
Another pointless war. So sad.
They gave up their tomorrows so that we could have a today. May the Lord Keep them and Bless them always. Amen.
The Ironwork for the coffin of the unknown warrior was made in the Brunswick Iron Works
in Caernarfon.
The original ironwork was considered unsuitable. Prime Minister David Lloyd George
sent samples of the ironwork to his friend JD. Williams, Brunswick Iron Works
in Caernarfon and requested much better items were made.
Brunswick Iron Works worked overnight to produce suitable items and the next day
J.D. Williams personally took them by train to London to Lloyd George.
They were immediately accepted and fitted to the coffin.
"It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished, unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets."
Voltaire
I feel like searching for any clues as to whom this person might be takes away from the purpose. Anything that narrows down a location or battle, narrows down the relevance this grave might have for families
I believe the Vietnam soldier from America's unknown soldier tomb was identified and they had to find someone else
@@3lli0 After he was identified, the tomb honoring the Unknown Soldier from Vietnam was left empty. The stone over the tomb was changed to remember all the Missing in Action from Vietnam.
My grandfather was a Coldstream Gaurd & coffin bearer at this funeral.
my great grandad survived WW1. He was shot through his left shoulder and the war ended before his recovery. That bullet probably saved his life.
He was given a State Funeral from beginning to end. The idea was so popular that numerous other countries copied the concept.