Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrie Yates
Sorry Margaret but I must point out that not all were conscripts, many were regulars who volunteered and since June 1960 (think that is the correct date), all who have been involved have been regular or reserve volunteer servicemen and women - no conscripts.
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Quite true ... and in the First World War, there were four distinct British Armies that fought on the Western Front, starting with the all-regular BEF. You can all figure out the others.
According to my mom, my grandad (he fought on the Somme and at Passchendaele and was wounded in both FUBARs) always took out the black button at the centre of his poppy ... the one inscribed "Haig Fund" ... and put it on with a safety pin. Evidently, he didn't like Haig for some reason ... go figure, eh.
By the by, Mr. Google informs me that in the year 2000, Britain had one of the highest densities of veterans in a major country: 219 per 1000 of the population.