A year ago I posted a thread on this forum under the title " My Dear Little Boy". This was about a letter a father wrote to his son, which was dated November 18 1916, and was returned three days later with the word "Missing" stamped on it. The soldier was Second Lieutenant Eric Smart, who is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. His date of death is recorded as November 18 1916, so he was killed in the battle of The Ancre on the very day that his dad sent this letter. It's one of the most poignant things that I've ever encountered. I pursued this story . My friend, Ric Smart, was interviewed by the British Legion and a video recording made which is now broadcast by Discovery Channel on its website.

Sad to say, the website has consigned the story to a World War Two theme - an astonishing error and a sad indictment of the state of popular knowledge. Nonetheless, I recommend it as a powerful evocation.

The web link:

www.discoverychannel.co.uk/web/poppy

When you google it, click on the site Poppy Appeal - Video Gallery.

Play the video "WW2 Veterans Eric".

Phil

Link

Play the video "WW2 Veterans Eric".

This Link To "Finding The Fallen" is WW1 Related too!!

Phil

Thank's very much for posting that - a story like this should really be put out across all the major networks on Remembrance Day as a stark reminder of the real cost of war.

Barrie

Thanks for posting it again Phil, I have just watched it.

The direct link to the video is 'Here'

I'm sorry, but the emotional impact is totally destroyed by the amateurish filming. Surely it should have been filmed after a few rehearsals?
And what clown captioned it as WW2?
I do despair at the blatant ignorance frequently revealed in major organisations.............
Perhaps the Discovery Channel will correct its mistake in time for Remembrance Day?