Sir,
In the First World War my grandfather worked long hours designing artillery. He advised Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, and among other achievements, created some of the largest guns used by the allies.
In September 1939, we were having a family holiday at Grandpa's home, but, on Sunday 3rd, at 11 am, we all had to gather in the sitting room to listen to the 'wireless'. We heard the Prime Minister declare war. I was too small to know what war was, except that it must be awful. Nobody smiled anymore. Grandpa had long retired, but, today, I think about the moment on Sunday 3rd. He had worked so hard to win 'the war to end all wars'. Only 20 years later, he must have felt bitterly disillusioned.
In the Second World War, 50 million people died. Only one-third were fighters. It is the same in all wars.
On Remembrance Sunday (November 5), we remember the courage and sacrifice of the fighters who suffered. But we forget the millions of non-combatants who were killed, or made homeless, and those now working hard for peaceful solutions to conflict.
This year, on Saturday, October 31, at 11 am, I'll be attending a short 'Service of Remembrance for all victims of war' led by the vicar of Narberth, at the Celtic Cross in Narberth. I'll not only be wondering how many innocent people suffered accidentally from my grandfather's guns long ago, but also how we can bring an end to all the horrors in Afghanistan today. Please join us.
David Redpath,
Spindles,
Lawrenny.