I normally only post one photo but today I wanted to include a few on this most important of days.
For me rememberance Sunday is an important day, in which to remember so many lives that were changed by war.
When visiting France I always make time to stop at one of the many cemeteries that dot the landscape, my heart brakes at the scale of the loss.
More sombre are the German cemeteries, no flowers, no colour, just black stones of usually four men to a grave. Such a sad sight, such loss, such needless loss!
To my Great Grandad, who never returned and the countless others who gave everything for their country.
Very poignant and thought-provoking photos for this week's #bwphotoproject. I've chosen similar photos although didn't include any of the German cemeteries (unfortunately most of my photos taken there were quite poor). I'm so glad that you have included them too - it is so important to remember that there was huge loss of life on both sides and so many families who were utterly devastated.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until I saw the German cemeteries, so bleak in contrast to the English and American that I really felt a sense of sadness for the loss. Now I find them and read their names and remember that everyone was playing a part and that life was so needlessly lost.
DeleteBeautiful photos, and I agree completely - whatever the nationality, they were all just soldiers following orders. It was loss on a scale I can't even comprehend. Beautiful - I like the simplicity of the German graves, but find it all so sad. Xx
ReplyDeleteThe german graves take your breath away, there were so many and the black stone is so so sombre, I now always take a moment to stand and think about the sometimes very young men that lost their lives.
DeleteI've never had the courage to take a picture of a cemetery, because they're kinda creepy.. but these shots are pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteSad stories behind them though..
Weirdly these don't feel like normal cemeteries and I hadn't really thought about them in the same way. A lot of the time the bodies aren't actually there just close by if that makes sense, I would imagine that some have never been visited by relatives and as some have no name so it feels more like a memorial than a cemetery.
DeleteWhat a poignant post. #bwphotoproject
ReplyDeleteSuch an important day to remember so many lives lost.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post,such an important message and powerful images x
ReplyDeleteawww Ellie this almost made me cry!! big hugs lovely xx
ReplyDelete