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Momodou
Denmark
11612 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Nov 2011 : 11:46:29
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During the second world war Gambians were forcefully enlisted in the army from villages and towns to go an defend the British Empire and many of them lost their lives. Whilst the Senegalese counterparts received some form of monetary compensation from France, the Gambian war veterans and their survivor families received nothing from Britain.
May the souls of all Gambians who died in the far away wars rest in peace.
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Gambia marks Remembrance Day
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Members of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and voluntary organizations at the weekend commemorated 2011 Remembrance Day.
The headlights of the comemoration included a parade at the July 22nd Square in Banjul and a similar ceremony held at the Fajara War Cemetery.
The day is meant to remember the sacrifices of those who gallantly shed their blood and sacrificed their lives in the cause for justice.
In The Gambia, the second Sunday of every November each year, people gather to reflect and pay homage to the nation’s war veterans who participated in the first and second world wars and other wars around the world. A two-minute silence was also observed in honour of the heroes.
The British High Commission in The Gambia also observed the annual British High Commission and Gambia Legion Remembrance Day Service at the Commonwealth War Cemetery also called Fajara War Cemetery. Prayers were conducted at the cemetery and the British High commissioner to The Gambia, David Morley together with other dignitaries took turns in laying wreaths at the cenotaph.
The history of the Remembrance Day parade started as far back as 1918 on 11 November 1918 when guns were silenced in the western front during the First World War after four years of continuous warfare.
The 11th day of the 11th month attained special sacrifice and significance in the post-war years. The First World War brought about the mobilisation of 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one third with unknown graves. The allied nations comprising countries such as Britain, America, France, Canada and other Commonwealth countries including The Gambia chose this day and time for the commemoration of the death of those who lost their lives in the war.
The commemoration of this year’s Remembrance Day was attended by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Isatou Njie-Saidy, the Lord Mayor of Banjul, members of diplomatic missions and consular corps, religious leaders, security chiefs and other personalities.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2011 : 12:30:42
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Sorry to burst your bubble, Modo but out of all the 3.5 million UK men who had been enlisted (not free choice here either - accept conscription or go to prison!) during WW2, none of the families of those killed received a penny of compensation. Not to mention families of those women also killed in action.
And I take absolute offence at your phrasing "to go and defend the British Empire"! The UK entered into war with Germany in defence of Poland. Get that mega chip off your shoulder and go read a history book, please! By the way, I wonder if you'd be saying the same if Hitler's regime still ruled Denmark today??
On Rememberence Day (11 November), I for one took time to think about ALL those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during ALL times of conflict and thank them for the luxury of having a life which I enjoy in a free country. You might like to try that instead of belittling their memories here!
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It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
Edited by - MeMe on 16 Nov 2011 13:11:04 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11612 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2011 : 12:43:19
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Many who were forcefully conscripted from the villages in the Gambia had nothing to do with Poland or Burma at the time. They went there to defend the British interest.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2011 : 12:58:19
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Remembrance Day is just that,a special day and time to remember those who died in war.
To turn this topic into a political posting is disrespect to those who died. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11612 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2011 : 13:25:09
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It is not only for those who died but a day of remembering for the war veterans.
Should we forget how the war affected the lives of the veterans?
I have mentioned here before that my late father was one of the veterans who was forcefully taken from the village and conscripted.  |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Senegambia
175 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2011 : 13:47:34
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Remembrance Day is Definitely a day to mark. In Gambia it should be marked in a manner that reflects our history, the circumstances that define our present, as well as our ideals and our hopes for the future of our nation. Ofcourse every Gambian should understand what the day means. That we have fought and died for Britain and her interests around the globe and that even though we did not choose to, we did so bravely.
And most importantly, we should let it be known that despite the hardship we went through as a nation, in the hands of those who colonized us, and despite the position of priviledge it puts them in and the position of decadence and confusion it contributes in putting us in, we should look at that history not to extract bitterness but as a source of encouragement, friendship and love for all people regardless of history.
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Tesito
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