Today is Armistice day and this year it really came home to me. On Sunday we had the service at the Cenotaph in London, which I watched on TV. As we honoured the millions who went off to defend their country but never returned a list of the British army dead in Afghanistan rolled across the screen.
One of the soldiers was John Harrison aged 29. I was 29 in 1984. My daughter was just 3 years old and I had her first day at school, her first day at senior school, her first boyfriend (what a dork he was), her starting university etc all to come.
My namesake was Corporal John Harrison of the Parachute Regiment. He was killed in the rescue of Anglo-Irish journalist Stephen Farrell who was kidnapped by the Taliban whilst working for the New York Times.
I don’t think he had a wife and child, now he never will. His parents won’t bounce their grandchild on their knee and he won’t have the wonder, joy and heartaches I have had in the last quarter of a century.
All I had to suffer was a cold feeling as my name scrolled across the screen. I never knew my namesake who paid such a price for me and my family. The best tribute to him are the words of his commanding officer on his loss.
“His hallmark was an undemonstrative, yet profound, professionalism; he cared deeply about his work, and more deeply still about those he commanded and served alongside. He was an unflinching and inspirational man with a deep, deep pool of courage, who died as he lived, at the forefront of his men.
He gave his life for his comrades and The Parachute Regiment, both of which meant so much to him. Although his passing is a sad day for us, every member of the Unit counts themselves privileged to have known such a tower of strength and we all are deeply honoured to have served alongside him.
Our thoughts and prayers now turn to his family and friends at this most difficult time. We hope that in the midst of their profound loss, they can draw strength from the fond memories that we all share of this remarkable man.”
Corporal John Harrison – thank you
Corporal John Harrison
This is such a touching post and it really does hit home how much one man can make a difference.
Kind regards
H. Wall
Nice touch John to mention Rememberance Day.
Words seem to mean so little when these men have laid down their lives for us. Whatever you may think of the conflict, they died for us and we should never forget them.
pleased you gave a mention to the brave lads who are doing and have done so much for this country.god bless them all.
Having not been able to lok at your site for a couple of weeks, I’ve finally caught up! And I have to agree with other comments, ‘well done on your armistice day report’. I had gone down to the allotment to gather some leeks and didn’t really look at the time. (For the armistice day, I normally visit our local towns remembrance service. However it’s the first time I have ever been on the plot at the 11am for the 2 minutes silence. EVERYONE on the different plots stopped everything they were doing for the 2 minutes and I have to admit it was strangely eerie but HAUNTINGLY satisfying by having my own 2 minutes with a few of the other gardeners in almost total solitude. I can recommend it to anyone 2 minutes silence on the plot – the open spaces and a simple message from all us gardeners — THANKS FELLAS, WITHOUT YOUR SACRIFICE WE PROBABLY WOULDN’T BE CULTIVATING — REST IN PEACE.