'Remembrance Sunday' 🥀 9th November
- Simon O'Donovan
- 6 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The theme for this week's Friendship Group was 'Remembrance Sunday', which falls on 9th November this year.
FYI. There is a video version of this CST activities page, especially aimed at people living at home without access to an ongoing CST group, to enjoy. Link here -
We discussed the meaning of 'Remembrance Sunday' and asked members if anyone had a parent or grandparent who served in the Second World War, or other conflicts. Several members had, so this was very important to recognise.
We reminded ourselves that 'Remembrance Sunday' is held in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations as a day "To commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts". It is held on the second Sunday in November, the Sunday nearest to 11th November, which is the anniversary of 'Armistice Day', which marked the end of hostilities in the First World War at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
We talked about things which reminded us of 'Remembrance Sunday', with our list being as follows:
- Wearing poppies. The poppy was chosen as the symbol for 'The Royal British Legion' fundraising effort, which raises funds to support ex-servicemen and women, because it was included in the first line of the poem 'In Flanders Fields' which referred to the fact that they were the first flowers to grow in the churned up earth of soldiers' graves. (The poem is included in full below.)
- The Queen (now King), Prime Minister and other dignitaries laying wreaths at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, on 'Remembrance Sunday'. This is a monument to lost servicemen and women and the "Unknown Soldier", but actually the grave of the "Unknown Soldier" is in Westminster Abbey.
- Two minutes silence at 11 am, which is observed across the country on 'Remembrance Sunday' to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to give us a better future. Big Ben will chime at 11 am, after undergoing repairs.
IDIOMS
Next, we asked members to complete the following phrases together ....
All’s fair in love and WAR
At daggers DRAWN
At gun POINT
Axe to GRIND
Battle of WITS / NERVES
Bite the BULLET
Bombs AWAY
In the WARS
Bury the HATCHET
Close RANKS
Cross SWORDS
Don’t mention the WAR (Basil Fawlty)
Don’t shoot the MESSENGER
Double edged SWORD
Drop a BOMBSHELL
Fight fire with FIRE
Fight an uphill BATTLE
Set your SIGHTS
Long SHOT
Keep your powder DRY
Knight in shining ARMOUR
On your GUARD
Open old WOUNDS
Over the TOP
Pull the TRIGGER
Trigger HAPPY
Fighter PILOT
Battle STATIONS / SHIPS
Hold FIRE
Wave the white FLAG
Hold your PEACE
Make love not WAR
Give peace a CHANCE (John Lennon)
First singalong ...
LYRICS
There'll be bluebirds over The white cliffs of Dover Tomorrow, just you wait and see
There'll be love and laughter And peace ever after Tomorrow, when the world is free
The shepherd will tend his sheep The valley will bloom again And Jimmy will go to sleep In his own little room again
There'll be bluebirds over The white cliffs of Dover Tomorrow, just you wait and see
The shepherd will tend his sheep The valley will bloom again And Jimmy will go to sleep In his own little room again
There'll be bluebirds over The white cliffs of Dover Tomorrow, just you wait and see
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Next, we completed a music and picture quiz together, which aimed to provide a means of reminscence and cognitive stimulation.
(Please proceed with a note of caution, as some individuals may have had traumatic wartime experiences or lost loved ones during conflicts. This emphasises once again the importance of biographical person-centred assessment before engaging people with dementia in meaningful CST activities.)
The quiz, I hope, avoids the more distressing aspects of World War Two and focuses more on the home front experience and arts and media representations.
The virtual prize this week was the lovely book 'The Wartime Kitchen And Garden', by Jennifer Davies.
(Please remember to simplify the quiz, according to the cognitive needs of your group. Reminiscence and story telling are far more important than score keeping. Celebrate engagement and inclusion in whatever form it takes, for example, singing, dancing, laughter and so on. Give lots of clues, such as first names of actors and films. Increase the focus on music if the group is struggling with content. Use this activities page as a loose guide. Most importantly, have fun with it!)
Here's a recipe from this book and TV series ....
'Curried egg sandwiches for VE Day' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioivXH5UTS0
ROUND 1. The Home Front
Here you go ...
Together with that classic clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYz2nPE0BCk
Also, here are the opening titles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11LZIhF-2QQ
SONG BREAK. 'Pack Up Your Troubles'/'It's A Long Way To Tipperary', Robert Mandell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsynSgeo_Uo
'National Conscription' or mandatory enlistment of civilians to one of the armed forces was more commonly referred to as what?
LYRICS
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye, To Picca-dilly,
Farewell, Leicester Square!
It's a long long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there.
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,
And smile, smile, smile,
While you've a lucifer to light your fag,
smile, boys, that's the style.
What's the use of worrying?
It never was worth while so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, and smile, smile, smile.
ROUND 2. The War Front
SONG. 'Pipes Of Peace', Paul McCartney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47x0C-9jw0
On what day was this song set? What game did British and German soldiers play together when peace broke out for a short time?
ROUND 3. Heroes
Video break ...
"Anything that is not actually impossible can be done, if one really sets one's mind to do it and is determined that it shall be done."
Sir Nicholas Winton 1909-2015
Watch this very moving video of hero Sir Nicholas Winton being reunited by Esther Rantzen with some of the 669 Jewish children he saved from the Nazis. She recalls: “He had rediscovered an old album in his loft that contained the details of hundreds of children whose lives he had saved by organising transport for them, trains to get out of Prague, before the Nazis invaded and found families to bring them up in Britain. The children didn’t know he was responsible and he didn’t know where they were. He wanted to return these
documents because he realised they were the only link to their family life before the holocaust.
We need a song break I feel ...
What was Vera Lynn's nickname in WW2?
LYRICS
Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while dear we must part Don't let this parting upset you I'll not forget you, sweetheart
We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through Just like you always do 'Til the blue skies chase those dark clouds far away
And I will just say hello To the folks that you know Tell them you won't be long They'll be happy to know That as I saw you go You were singing this song
We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
And I will just say hello To the folks that you know Tell them you won't be long They'll be happy to know That as I saw you go You were singing this song
We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
ROUND 4. TV & Movies
Complete these song titles from this 1965 movie? (Time to pick up some extra points)
- I Have ..........
- Sixteen Going On .........
- My Favourite ......
- Climb Ev'ry ........
- The Lonely ........
- Do, Re, ..
- Something ....
- So Long, ........
- Eidel - .....
- The Sound Of .....
Here's a link to the 'Sound Of Music Overture', which reprises most of these songs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7pxbCAHyi4
Where is this? The ceramic poppies in 2014 were a dramatic tribute to the fallen.
Where is the 'Festival Of Remembrance' held each year?
A couple of rousing songs to finish ...
FINALLY, A SONG FOR PEACE
SONG. 'Imagine', John Lennon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugrAo8wEPiI
What was his wife's name?
AND SOME DANCE MUSIC IF MEMBERS WISH TO GET DOWN AND BOOGIE
Glen Miller was a best selling recording artist from 1939-43. What was his genre of music known as?
What instruments were played in his 'Big Band'?
If you want to get people up and dancing, here is a link to a Jive Bunny 'Glen Miller Medley' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlAkezI3jc4
CLOSING POEMS & LAST POST
To finish the session, you might like to read aloud the poem 'In Flanders Fields', written by John McCrae, in May 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
And the extract from the poem 'For the Fallen' by Robert Laurence Binyon, published in The Times newspaper on 21st September 1914.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
To finish, here is 'The Last Post' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDS3TxtGaQ0
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
Here is an activity suggestion. You could work with members to make poppies out of plastic bottle bottoms, or paint poppies on beach pebbles.
ROUND 1
'Reserved Occupations' were exempted from conscription. They included:
- Doctors
- Miners
- Farmers
- Scientists
- Merchant Seamen
- School Teachers
- Railway and Dock Workers
- Utility Workers - Water, Gas & Electricity
'Air Raid Precautions Wardens' were tasked with:
- Ensuring 'Black Out Blinds' were in order
- Raising the alarm when incoming enemy aircraft were spotted
- Sounding the 'All Clear'
'Standard Rations' included (per person, per week) APRIL 1945 figs;
- Bacon and ham 4 oz (113 g)
- Sugar 8 oz (227 g)
- Loose tea 2 oz (57 g)
- Meat 1s. 2d. (equivalent to £2.31 in 2016)
- Cheese 2 oz (57 g) (Vegetarians were allowed an extra 3 oz (85 g) cheese)
- Preserves 1 lb (0.45 kg) per month
- Butter 2 oz (57 g)
- Margarine 4 oz (113 g)
- Lard 2 oz (57 g)
- Sweets 12 oz (340 g) per month
'Special Processed American Meat'
'Houses of Parliament Sauce'
Chicory (Endive)
The 'Dig For Victory' campaign was set up by the 'British Ministry Of Agriculture'
'Women's Land Army' workers were known as 'Land Girls'
'Anderson Air Raid Shelter'
'London Underground'
1.5 million children were evacuated
'Dad's Army' was about the 'Home Guard'. It featured:
- Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe) - "You stupid boy!" "Don't tell him Pike!"
- Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier) - "Do you think that's wise, sir?"
- Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn) - "Don't panic!!"
- Private Frazer (John Laurie) - "We're doomed. Doomed!"
- Private Walker (James Beck) - "It won't cost you much."
- Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley) - "Do you think I might be excused?"
- Private Pike (Ian Lavender) - "I'll tell Mum!"
'The Draft'
ROUND 2
The three 'British Armed Forces' were / are:
- British Army
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Navy
Lord Kitchener & Uncle Sam
'Anzacs' came from Australia and New Zealand. 'Gurkhas' came from Nepal
The 'Battle Of Britain' was said to have been won by:
- Spitfires & Hurricanes
Hawaii (Oahu)
Sir Barnes Neville Wallis
The five 'D Day' landing beaches were:
- Omaha
- Gold
- Juno
- Sword
- Utah
'Saving Private Ryan'
The original meaning of G.I. was 'Galvanised Iron', but it also came to mean 'General Issue' or 'Ground Infantryman'. The term refers to an American soldier in World War Two
There were only 15 'home run' escapes from Colditz, 11 of whom were British
Thinking of German forces, what were these called:
- Their air force? - Luftwaffe
- Their submarines? - U boats
- Their V1 flying bombs? - Doodlebugs
- Their State Secret Police? - Gestapo
- Their emblem? - Swastika
'Enola Gay'
Christmas Day 1914 / Football
ROUND 3
Winston Churchill / Conservative Party
The Queen Mother (Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) & King George V1
(After Buckingham Palace was bombed, The Queen Mother famously said "I am glad we have been bombed. Now we can look the East End in the eye.")
HM Queen Elizabeth 11 was a Driver in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. (She reached the rank of Captain.)
Anne Frank / Amsterdam
Six million Jews died, but with other victims included - Roma, Slavs, handicapped people, Jehovah's witnesses and gay people, the number is nearer 11 million
Oscar Schindler is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews, by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories
Douglas Bader / Messerschmitt
Alan Turing, who broke the 'Enigma Code'.
Sadly, he died in June 1954, aged just 41 (from cyanide poisoning) after being chemically castrated, as an alternative to prison, for being gay.
Captain Tom Moore. He raised almost £33 million by walking laps of his care home garden with his zimmer frame. He was awarded a 'Golden Blue Peter Badge' for his efforts, but was also Knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Simon Weston / 'The Sir Galahad'
'The Invictus Games' / Afghanistan
'The Forces Sweetheart'
ROUND 4
Humphry Bogart & Ingrid Bergman / Morocco
'Bloody Mary' is made from vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce (and/or Tabasco sauce), salt and pepper to taste and a stick of celery
'From Here To Eternity'
"Hitler has only got one ball, the other is in the Albert Hall. His mother, the dirty bugger, cut it off when he was small."
(It is true that Hitler only had one testicle.)
(The words were considered too vulgar to include in the 1957 movie, so the tune was whistled instead.)
'The Great Escape'
Hilts 'The Cooler King', played by Steve McQueen
'It Ain't Half Hot Mum'
Melvyn Hayes, Winsdor Davies & Don Estelle
'Allo Allo'
Michelle of the French Resistance
'Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies'
It sold for £15,000 in 2018
True
Basil Fawlty / John Cleese
'Blackadder Goes Forth'
Rowan Atkinson (Edmund Blackadder), Tony Robinson (Baldrick), Hugh Laurie (George), Tim McInnerny (Lord Percy) & Stephen Fry (Melchett)
'M.A.S.H.' stood for 'Mobile Army Surgical Hospital'
The TV show was set in the Korean War (1950-53)
'Good Morning Vietnam' / Robin Williams
The complete song titles are:
- I Have .......... Confidence
- Sixteen Going On ......... Seventeen
- My Favourite ...... Things
- Climb Ev'ry ........ Mountain
- The Lonely ........ Goatherd
- Do, Re, .. Mi
- Something .... Good
- So Long, ........ Farewell
- Eidel - ..... Weiss
- The Sound Of ..... Music
'The Tower of London'
'The Royal Albert Hall'
Yoko Ono
Glen Miller's genre of music was 'Swing'. The instruments which formed his band were:
- Saxophone
- Clarinet
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Bass
- Piano
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