LEST WE FORGET
Tomorrow, on the 8th of May 2020 we will see the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
This date in 1945 is a day that still reverberates around the world, signifying an end to the horrors that conflict brings. The 6 years of war, death and devastation affecting military personnel and the civilian population alike had come to an end. The feeling of joy and happiness was shared by both our allies inside and outside of the commonwealth, and for many other countries affected, the relief was palpable.
It is estimated that around 3% of the then world population had perished, totalling around 80 million lives. World War II has been classed as the deadliest military conflict in history and hopefully will remain, through our memories, never to be repeated.
As a clan and family originating in the lands of Annanadale in South West Scotland, who now inhabit all four corners of the earth, those that did their duty are more than apparent. As we go through the lists of names in the archives of all those men and women who answered the call, the name of Carruthers appears in all ranks, in all services and in all roles. This is not forgetting the many thousands more who stayed at home and worked on the farms and in the factories in support of the effort.
Carruthers and their derivatives saw approximately 2000 men and women in military service during this war. Some have been mentioned in our blogs previously, but what is a certainty, is that all are honoured here.
We should therefore never forget the sacrifice that our own men and women gave. Nor all the other families, irrelevant of colour, creed or religion, who lost loved ones.
We therefore ask, where ever you live, as a Carruthers by name or by blood, that you spare a prayer and thought for those people who selflessly put our well-being before their own.
A moment of silence and reverence at 11 am GMT has become a tradition here in Scotland as well as the rest of the UK. We hope that you can celebrate in your own way and own time but always in their memory.
In honour of those who served, those who still serve and those who are currently serving in essential services during the current crisis, who again are putting our well-being before their own, we as a clan and society salute you.
LEST WE FORGET
Corporal Matthew Creek of the Royal Military College Band plays The Last Post at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The Last Post is one of a number of bugle calls in military tradition that mark the phases of the day. In military tradition, the Last Post is the bugle call that signifies the end.
