Let there be light

I visited a number of local communities during the Armistice Centenary weekend earlier this month - to see the commemorations to mark the end of the First World War.

I ended my touring on the evening of Sunday 11th November at the site of the old Grain Fort, on the Isle of Grain, where St. James (Isle of Grain) Parish Council had organised the lighting of a special beacon, in conjunction with St. James Church and Kent Fire & Rescue Service (Grain).

The event was well attended by villagers, and was part of the nationwide 'Beacons of Light' tribute/commemoration.

The above image is poor quality, but I only had my phone camera available. To give you a better idea about what the Beacon actually looked like - here's a clearer image of one.

The Beacons symbolised the 'light of hope' that emerged from the darkness of four years of dreadful war.
 

Armistice Centenary

Today I am remembering my ancestors William Stephen Watson (killed in 1917 aged 21) and Harry Stratford (killed in 1917 aged 24) from Lower Stoke and St. Mary Hoo on the Hoo Peninsula.

William and Harry (who were cousins) were my great grandfather's nephews - making them my first cousins twice removed (or something very similar).

I will never forget my visit in 2011 to Northern France.

I will remember them.