Trying To Find Scottish Family WW1 Graves in France

[@ruthaisling]

Get your 14-day free trial of MyHeritage: bit.ly/RuthAisling_MH Do you have any relatives who also fought or were lost in the First World War?

[@johnhowarth8822]

My maternal grandfather played football against the Germans on Christmas Day and survived the war but my wife lost her grandfather and his brother during the First World War and they were both Medics, non combatants. I’m in a generation before yours so I can remember many ex WWI servicemen including a survivor with a VC who lived a few doors away from my family.

[@fantym1633]

My great-aunt served in the US Navy, in France, during WWI. She was a pharmacist mate.

[@DrBLReid]

My Grandfather fought in the U. S. Army in France in World War One. It was my Mother's father.

[@ruthaisling]

@UC0jfNe2a8S5%F0%9F%98%80eH9YV82leGlQ Thanks for sharing, I'd heard about the football game but it's nice to know someone has a connection to it

[@plorticusful]

My great-grandfather on my Father's side died tragically three weeks before the Armistice in late October 1918. Like many he was killed by German artillery so your point about the bodies is a valid one

[@robertc9211]

One of your finest videos. My uncle from Canada died in WW2 and was buried in Brookwood , UK. When our family visited, the tears never stopped flowing. Having emotions, whether sad or happy, makes us realize we are human. Perhaps more people should visit the graves of their lost loved ones. And put an end to the madness of war.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I appreciate your comment about the video. It would be a good idea. I wish I’d visited here on a school trip.

[@colinrunciman5166]

Ruth, yoir a very kind woman, BBC 2 nezt Ruth!

[@frankgonzalez2938]

It warms my heart that someone as young as you showing so much respect. Thank you.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏 it was something I wanted to do for a long time.

[@sertee9412]

Hello Ruth, I want to thank you for this touching video. My great grandfather is buried at Villiers Station Cemetery at Villiers-au-Bois, about 17km from the Arras cemetery He was killed during the WW1 in 1917. It is wonderful to see how caring you are about relatives of your who died so long ago in that horrible war.

[@ruthaisling]

I saw so many cemeteries while driving around that area so it's nice to think that some of those graves might belong to your relative or relatives of others who watch this video.

[@paulbarber3324]

A very moving video, thank you for going all the way to France to post this. Good to know that someone so young takes the time. Thank you. There is hope in the world with people like you around.

[@alisonstephenson4446]

My mother in law and sister are going over to France to see her grandfather's war grave, my great great uncle lost his life in ww1 he was in Northumberland fusiliers 😢 beautiful moving vlog xxx

[@maxmoore9955]

That was a Preety good Survival Rate in Britain in 1918 .Lass .

[@kholden2678]

I have two family members buried in this cemetery. One was my great uncle's brother in law William Vandale who was a Metis soldier from Saskatoon. Buried 50 feet away is my distant cousin Lord Lawrence Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth. My great uncle Cecil Hoskins was a British orphan from Liverpool and a 7th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Cecil's brothers Harold and Percy aka Pudsey served in the Canadian Forces in WW1. Their brother Charles served in the British Navy. Harold served in the same Battalion as William Vandale (46th South Saskatchewan) at Vimy Ridge and was killed a month later at Arras while attempting to assist a wounded friend. Their brother Charles had a brother in law Francis aka Frank LeBreton who was killed at Vimy Ridge on April 9 1917. Frank's son Frank served with the British Artillery in WW2. Shortly after Ravenna Italy was liberated, Frank was shot down while flying an air reconnaisance flight. Charles, Cecil, Harold, Frank, and Percy had a first cousin who was killed at Passchendaele. They also had two second cousins who were killed in the Battle of Gallipoli. In all I have traced dozens of stories of close family who served in both WW1 and WW2. My mom's dad missed Vimy Ridge convalescing in the hospital but he served at the Somme and took part in the last Canadian Cavalry Charge at teh Battle of Moreuil Wood. @ruthaisling Thank you so much for this video and teh one on the Somme. I am deeply moved seeing the resting places and memorials close to where my family fought. If you would like help finding more about your Canadian relatives who served please let me know and I will send you an email.

[@douglawrence6066]

Thanks for visiting the Canadian cemeteries. Lost two great uncles during WW1. Very humbling to see all these brave individuals. 🇨🇦✌

[@ruthaisling]

Do you know if your great uncles have graves or are they listed on the memorial?

[@douglawrence6066]

A J Trebilcock, Nov 6, 1917. Buried in the new military cemetery in Vlamertinghe Belgium J A Trebilcock, May 21, 1918. Buried in Le Bac du Sud.

[@2007Teina]

q​@@ruthaisling

[@michaeljrussell]

Powerful and deeply moving, Ruth. This stoic American (whose grandfather fought in and returned from WWI) unapologetically shed tears for these noble, irreplacable lives cut short. + May they and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. +

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Michael, it's so emotional. 😢

[@johnbrown3951]

So well said. You managed to put into words my thoughts exactly. My grandfather also returned albeit with a shell wound on his hand that he only acknowledged whenever I asked him what the mark on the back of his hand was.

[@sunnyside9988]

Amen @MichaelJRussell.

[@xlurker100]

A very moving video, Ruth. Your care in remembering family members lost speaks to your character.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you ❤️

[@thebear307]

As an ex soldier Ruth I salute you on making such a good video and paying respect to all our fallen in the 2 World Wars.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@betanjaetmjnea9951]

A beautiful, respectful, and so clearly heartfelt, tribute to those who gave everything. A great-uncle of mine fell at Martinpuich, late in "the Somme". He was never identified, but, thankfully, is commemorated at Thiepval. I know well the feeling of being a lone visitor in WWI cemeteries. Having visited also busier ones, I prefer the solitude, and space for reflection, afforded by the smaller, quieter, sites. On one occasion in the '90s, I fell into conversation with an older French CWGC gardener at work, and learnt that he was second-generation in the job, his Scottish soldier father having stayed on in (or even returned to) France - post-demobilisation in 1918 or 1919 - specifically to work with the Commission on tending the graves. That's dedication and commitment, of the highest order, to one's fallen comrades. Your videos are full of worthwhile background information, and a joy to watch. All the best, from an appreciative doonhamer.

[@ruthaisling]

Wow, that's interesting to hear the story about the gardener. Thank you for watching.

[@commonwealthwargraves]

Thank you for visiting our sites and cemeteries, delighted you were able to discover so much about your own family and about some of the casualties we commemorate.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for the incredible work you are doing.

[@guyfsj]

Thank you for this as a Canadian it means a lot to me that you honour us for our national sacrifice my great grandfather was a Canadian of Scottish descent though he returned from the war her suffered greatly after being gassed in the trenches

[@alexandresanturian1513]

Greetings from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! I was very moved by watching your video of your search for your Scottish relatives killed during the First World War. It is very important to know our family tree and honor those who are gone, since it is because of them that we are here. I have many books about World War I and World War II, I study both conflicts a lot. In fact, the Battles of the Somme and Arras were important and costly in terms of lives lost. My great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers were also killed during the First World War, but in the interior of Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire). My ancestors were Armenians and were part of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks - most historians accept that 1.5 million Armenians were killed during the First World War. My paternal grandfather managed to escape to Syria and, after the war, took a ship to Italy and, from there, to Brazil, arriving in São Paulo in 1926. In 1929 he called his girlfriend who was in Syria (my grandmother) and, in 1930, my father was born in São Paulo. My mother's parents (also Armenian genocide survivors) fled to Lebanon, got married in France (Lyon) and came to Brazil (São Paulo) in 1932. My mother was born in 1937. My parents got married in 1956 and I was born in 1957. I am Brazilian, but the grandson of Armenians. It's a shame I don't know where my great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers were buried - if they were buried. Our family doesn't have the records, not even pictures. As Armenians have always been Christians, at the time there were no birth certificates - newborns had their names recorded in family Bibles, and these books were burned by the Turks. It is not possible to understand why even today Humanity has not learned from the mistakes of the past, we still see wars and a lot of intolerance around the world. Thank you for sharing your video, my wife and I really enjoyed watching them. Your work is very beautiful and of excellent quality. And let's move on!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for the kind comments 🙏

[@itsmephil2255]

We have so much to thank those people for that fought in WW1 and WW2, it's only when you see the names on the memorial that you realise how many people paid the ultimate price for our freedom Thankyou for this Ruth ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Phil. Seeing all those cemeteries and names on the memorials is just so so sad.

[@itsmephil2255]

@@ruthaisling let's hope that it never happens again

[@richard21995]

Very much.

[@susannabouwhuis5861]

My husband and I have done a similar trip, but we are old, it's so great to see a young woman like yourself, remembering these young soldiers, so: thank you,thank you thank you ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@trevorlock7584]

Ruth, You were sent to the Canadian war cemetery, because your an angel. I had tears seeing the waves of names on the walls.

[@ruthaisling]

I'd like to think that

[@SteveSearle]

One of the most emotional things to occur in my job was a visit to the Commonwealth Graves Commission in Arras. Helping them with their methods in restoring the headstones and to see two being machined and the engraving of the ages of the two young soldiers only 17 and 18. Very sobering. A visit to Thiepval and the Canadian memorial brings home the reality of it all.

[@ruthaisling]

It must have been really an emotional experience! Thanks for sharing your story!

[@steveljub1]

As a retired Army Officer, I love any tribute to the fallen. My great Grandfather, Sgt George Currie of the Cameronian Highlanders, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct medal for saving over 20 of his men who were wounded at the Battle of Arrras, despite intense fire. They all survived but would have died but for his personal insistance to keep going back. I only wish your relatives had been under his protection. He won several more honours and commendations and was a career soldier, but for him the only heroes were those who never came home.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing this 😞

[@IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE]

Ruth, thank you for sharing this. My grandfather served in WW1. He lost a leg and was burned by gas. He would never talk about it, except to say that he considered himself as one of the luckier ones that were able to return home.

[@ruthaisling]

Wow, one of the luckier ones. So sad 😢

[@waynewallace2583]

My grandfather, John Denning Wallace, from Paisley, Scotland, was WIA (GSW) in the village of Fampaux, just outside of Arras, on 15 July 1918, while serving with the CEF 1st Div, 3rd Bde, 3rd Bn. He survived the war, but died a few years later in Kearney, NJ, at 30 years’ old from what was known then as “trench exposure” while serving in the trenches outside Arras. My family lost another 3 Scottish family members - just teenagers KIA- while serving in the A&S and the RNVR in the Great War”, and are buried in British cemeteries in northern France. Their legacy had the effect on me to volunteer and serve in 3 wars during 20 years in the US Army. I hope to one day visit the battlefields and their grave sites.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for sharing about your family members. I hope you can visit someday. 🙏

[@wmanad8479]

Thank you Ruth and kudos to you for going to the memorial on the day. "Lest we forget." I'm named for an uncle who died in a trench from gas poisoning. Another was a belly gunner who was lost in the Channel in WWII. I'm glad my parents were able to visit his memorial in Romsey. Let's all hope there is never a third.

[@ruthaisling]

It's nice that the names were used again in the families. Some of my family members are also named after my 3 relatives who died.

[@emmypuss4533]

Same@@ruthaisling

[@AdDewaard-hu3xk]

While you were at the memorial, the strain and emotion in your voice and face was so evident.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes, it was very hard walking in there and seeing all those names. There are just so many names.

[@cgoodson2010]

Thanks for making this video, Ruth! It is important to honor all the ones who fought for us. My dad was a WWII vet, and I grew up during the Viet Nam War. Reminds me of what George Santayana said: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." In light of the US election for president this past week, I believe even those of us who do remember the past are being sucked into the quicksand caused by those who choose not to remember. 😢

[@ruthaisling]

😢

[@carolhughes312]

I agree- I have visited many war cemeteries in France and Belgium and it is very emotional. Very humbling. So sad.

[@ruthaisling]

It's a feeling that is very hard to convey in the video.... 😢

[@ruby055]

I did this for my Great Aunt whose Son my Uncle died in WW2. I found the grave she had never seen placed flowers and both American/ Italian Flags and took pictures in 1984. Her son my Uncle died in 1944 at age 19 in the Battle of Metz. She died in 1988 at age 91. As far as I know I was the only family member to have visited it until my daughter repeated the process in 2015.

[@ruthaisling]

Oh wow, she must have appreciated seeing the photos so much. ❤

[@Earthstein]

Thank you Ruth. You are sweet and caring.

[@davidtoddhoward]

This was a very moving journey to watch. My grandfather actually fought in the Great War. He was only 17 in basic training and barely 18 when sent into service. He was injured by shrapnel and mustard gas but survived to return and start a family. Sadly, he died before I was born. My father says he would never talk of his experience and could never bring himself to return to France and see the graves of his fallen friends. I can imagine it was an emotional experience to visit and research your own family members. I've visited a couple of times now myself, and it really brings home the vast scale of loss. It's very a very humbling and thought-provoking experience. Thanks for a very well considered and researched video Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you David. Wow, your grandfather was so young too. I can imagine the memories must have been so painful to speak about 😢

[@jackthebassman1]

Hello Ruth, as a regular visitor to the Great War battlefields I'd like to compliment you on your sensitive production and professional way that you treat the topic that is so dear to so many of us. I really like all your videos. Thank you so much for what you do. Voyages en toute sécurité

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much, that means a lot.

[@tracyzehnder2902]

I love you, Ruth! You are so amazing bringing history back to life and real things that mean something to those of us who still care I care so much about history I care so much about real people who lived and died to fight for things they believed in. So unlike the silly television shows today, which means nothing. You are an amazing woman and I am so grateful for your channel. I wish you health and happiness.

[@howitzer8946]

Ruth you are a good caring sweet lady. Thank you from this old Vietnam Veteran in the USA

[@TheRedDevil-1968]

God bless you and your ancestors Ruth. TOTAL RESPECT. GOD BLESS THEM.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching this video!

[@Decrepit_biker]

Thank you Ruth, for allowing us to accompany you on this journey. War cemeteries are as you rightly allude too are somehow more poignant. Such bravery, hardship and sacrifice. So many futures lost, and more still who would live on with the scars of the war, physical and mental. Such a senseless waste of life and lives fighting for reasons most of us have now forgotten, and at the order and behest of people long since gone. How many of those young soldiers would have been friends if given the chance, if it were not for the ambitions of people and governments who would have never even known their faces? How many children were never born because thier future fathers never returned home? I have the deepest respect for those who did what they felt was their duty, but I despair at the ambitions that brought them to those places. I hope one day humanity will finally learn, but sadly I doubt it.

[@ruthaisling]

Very well said, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@thewintergardener2873]

What a wonderful & touching Video... I'm American, and our family lived in Paris for a few years when Dad worked for the IBM Plant there in the late 1960s... We visited many of the Battlefields, including the Argonne Forest in France where his father had fought --- the most moving & somber of these was in Verdon... Just the massive scale and the endless sea of Grave Markers was overwhelming..

[@ruthaisling]

I’d like to visit there if I go back again.

[@mummytumy]

I lost 3 great uncles in WW1 and my Dad was in WW2. he was in the British Army and the British Navy. He was awarded 5 medals. we moved to Australia in 1963. and after he lived till he was 81 years old. he and my mother had 10 children. now we are such a big family in Australia.

[@monikamartin6002]

OMG. I am feeling your emotion by watching this. I come from a military family and don't have any family who were killed in WWI, but My paternal great-grandfather was killed at Normandy in WWII. I'm 16 years old and I fully intend to visit his gravesite there. BTW, Kudos to the French who keep up these cemeteries and memorials. We continue to owe them a debt. Thank you for sharing this emotional experience. I'm guessing it could not have been easy.

[@ruthaisling]

I do hope you manage to get to Normandy and pay your respects. Thank you for watching 🙏

[@elizabethsime5751]

Thank you Ruth for such a touching video. I had four relatives who fought in WW1 with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and was fortunate to have them all returned but physically scared. You are doing something that I always wanted to do and I thank you for not forgetting these brave men.🇨🇦

[@covadongafernandez1]

Hi Ruth, in the memorial where are all the names , if you look at the start of the column on the left hand side that are all the Arnold, if you count from the bottom up, on the 18th line is Arnold- William, George. I don’t know if you spotted? Is so sad seeing all this graves from all those young men and how their lives were wasted. You did a great job by visiting all the memorials and all the sadness that one must feel there. I thought that all the bad things that happened to you in France after visiting all the cemeteries, maybe has to do with the sadness you had in your spirit and brought to you all these accidents etc. much love to you and thank you for your videos. 😢❤😊

[@pamelajohnson9260]

All very emotional. Thank you for sharing. If you were drawn to a headstone you know there’s a connection. Synchronicity.

[@jackscott5465]

Thank you Dear so much for allowing us to experience these things we will probably never be able to. As far as the coincedence? goes you are a SCOT this should feel natural. Right now a thunder storm is blowing up so I gotta Go. Thank you so much and keep up the AWESOME WORK and stay HEALTHY.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Jack!

[@grantlingley1385]

Thanks for such a touching video Ruth and for your connections with the Canadian Engagement. Travelling through my province of Nova Scotia and in particular the small towns all over the province you will see War Memorials of those lost. Scary given how small these towns were and the impact it would have had. Tears yes, many many tears. We lost Uncles on both sides of our family in WW I and WW II.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching, have you ever been to France to visit the sites?

[@TimB-do2vi]

Thank you so much for your respect for war dead, and your interest in genealogy. You're doing some wonderful things. Thanks again!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@johnhalstead5938]

Ruth, thank you for creating a thoughtful, beautiful, and eloquent memorial to those who gave all.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you🙏I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@WadeTaylor-e1x]

Hi Ruth, why you visited France makes sense to me now. It was a trip of remembrance for you. I lost relatives too and one of them was before his time due to drowning, not in battle though he was a U.S. Navy veteran. I can't say I understand how you feel. I am sorry so many died Young in battle.

[@ruthaisling]

It was a trip I wanted to do for a long time.

[@nigelhudson1948]

A moving piece of work - well done. When travelling through France with our children, who are of your generation, we always made a point of stopping at war cemeteries. I think that it isn't possible to grasp the scale of loss of life until you see with your own eyes the ranks of grave markers and the unending lists of names. We should always remember the huge sacrifices that our ancestors made lest we let it happen again.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes that's so true, the loss becomes so real when you see all the graves and names on the memorials

[@timekart7181]

What a powerful and personal story Ruth! Your video is very touching and I appreciate you taking us with you. Thank you for sharing. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥀🙏 My two great uncles (who were from Scotland) on my mother's side served in The Great War as well. They survived and immigrated to America in 1923. It was interesting to hear their stories from those days.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you very much for watching. ❤

[@scottmac2436]

I am so glad you found Vimy Ridge, one of the few successes in the Battle of Arras and the first time the Canadian units dispersed throughout the British Army were brought together to fight under one Canadian General who knew his business, Arthur Currie - yes another Scot from Victoria, Canada. They succeeded at a cost but their tactics changed how war is fought., even today. The price of victory was to become shock troops during the One Hundred Days offensive ending the war. If you want to know more about this battle ground that the French government gave to Canada after the War,read the book,Vimy, by Pierre Burton and other good war histories

[@SuperLeonDenny]

A beautiful video Ruth, highlighting the war memorials. I wasn't aware that there are quite a few! Regarding your Canadian family member it's funny how intuition / instincts take us to places that are meant to be allowing us to make important new discoveries. As I believe you were alluding to in your video it is such a shame that most people look past these memorials (not just war but memorials in general) like they are nothing when in fact so many people lost their lives so we all can walk. Incredibly moving. Stay true to yourself Ruth and keep up the great videos! :)

[@ruthaisling]

I really appreciate our comment Leon, thanks for watching the video!

[@Oggi7777]

God bless and keep them all.

[@chriskincaid4219]

Nice video Ruth ! My son did a battlefield and cemetery tour with his school last September. It’s great that we are still remembering the sacrifices made by so many. Keeping the young informed will encourage each generation to remember.

[@ruthaisling]

That's really great to hear. I wish I had done school trips here when I was younger and learnt more about WW1.

[@Erin-Christine]

This is a very touching video Ruth & beautifully done. My great grandfather's served in WWI & my grandfather's in WWII. All were fortunate to survive war & served in the Australian armed forces. I totally understand your feelings in visiting sites of battle & the cemeteries. You can feel the history & know you're standing on hallowed ground. It's a chance to pause & reflect. Thank you for your poignant video & for sharing some details of your family who perished in the war. ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and your nice comments. I had really wanted to make this video for ages.

[@lbunnygordon1133]

I remember as a child bisiting Montecasino in Italy it was so vast with so so many different graves of soldiers from all over ..the memory has stsyed with me all these years .. I also recently revisited graves in Thailand near river Kwai and the grief never goes away. I didnt hsve any relative involved in wars but nevertheless brought it all into perspective and just pray never reoccurs..

[@ruthaisling]

😔

[@keitheverhart9556]

Thank you so much for this video. As a veteran it touched me deeply. I recently found your channel and I am enjoying it immensely. Thank you again.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much Keith.

[@danwells3401]

Very moving! The size of some of these cemeteries and the amount of names is unbelievable. My great grandfather was killed in the Somme, around the same time my grandfather was born back in England, so they never got to meet. Look forward to the next one and you've inspired me to look more into my family history. Thanks for sharing!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Dan, hopefully you'll find the next video about the Somme interesting. That's so sad they never got to meet. 😥

[@pauldurkee4764]

Thank you for the tour of the Arras Memorial. I have a first cousin listed on that memorial, Lieutenant Lewis George Madley of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action 14th May 1917. Best wishes from Wales.

[@ruthaisling]

Same month as one of my relatives. Thanks for watching. ❤️

[@frankburns456]

Definitely did your Family members proud & there memory who lost there lives in WW1 the Scottish regiments always answered the Call to Fight looking forward to pt2

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Frank, appreciate you watching the video

[@niptodstan]

Your family must be so proud of you doing this. Imagine if your dead relatives could see you. They’d be so proud of you. I feel proud of you, you have a strong will, to do this journey alone. Thanks you. Xx

[@richardfriedman2068]

thank you Ruth for your search for loved ones.

[@ruthaisling]

I'm so glad I could visit.

[@CassSanchez-k4d]

What a wonderful respectful presentation, thank you and may God bless you and your family

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@twobins2060]

Good for you Ruth. It's important that we remember all those that died in the wars. It's always emotional visiting war graves even those who were once our enemies. As you say lots of tears shed at the time and since. Everyone came from a family and were loved.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes so true, every single person was loved and missed. 😢

[@jamesdocherty5919]

Always very emotional when visiting these graves. Very well kept and regimented headstones.

[@ruthaisling]

Totally agree, the upkeep of the graves is incredible. I'll be sharing more about that in the next video.

[@veheeo720]

In tears over here Thank You for sharing I will expand MyHeritage pages. PhilW.🌹

[@antonyblakeston8541]

Thank you Ruth, that was a very moving video, I lost my Great Grandfather on the 27th April 1918, he joined up at the start of the war, he also has no known grave, many thanks and safe travels xx.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Antony, is your great-grandfather mentioned at one of the memorials?

[@marjazadow2501]

So many lives lost, such a moving video, thank you. I have not seen any videos of this nature, so glad I came across yours, well done. We had plans to visit Vimy Ridge in 2020, but unfortunately our plans were cancelled, hopefully we can make it there someday. Lest We Forget 🇨🇦

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it. I do hope you manage to get there 😞

[@dl1929yup]

Ruth, very touching video this week, so sad to hear of the great loss in your family. What a terrible waste of young lives. May they all rest in peace. Look after yourself, Neil.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Neil.

[@allysonblack5984]

Thank you for doing this very informative and heartfelt video. I am very lucky that my Grandpa and his 3 brothers from County Tyrone all came home. One brother was only 13 when he went to France and fought again in WW2. I just discovered your vlogs and am very much enjoying them. Thank you

[@ruthaisling]

I’m so pleased you are enjoying the videos. Thank you for watching 🙏

[@scottie2636]

Hi Ruth, what a wonderful,moving video. I'm scottish, living in the US. We had a President, who was a sad excuse for a leader of a modern country, just a few years ago. This man had never served in the armed forces.Having been born into a rich family, his father paid a doctor to say he had bone spurs in his feet, thereby keeping him from serving. This poor excuse for a human being, called all wounded, maimed and dead soldiers, suckers and losers. This man us running for President again, only this time, he wants to make himself a dictator. God help us all if he gets elected again.

[@DeniseIreland-i1q]

Ruth, great videos; keep traveling and keep making them! Blessings

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you..Will do!

[@n7gn]

Thank you so much for allowing us to visit these sacred sites.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching!

[@n7gn]

@@ruthaisling I'm of Scottish decent and know I have relatives from WWI that didn't come home. Very touching and emotional sharing of your experience is appreciated.

[@lizoconnor2752]

This was an exceptional episode. And you are an exceptional person for bringing it to us! Don't ever change Ruth❤

[@duncanmcphee7810]

Hi Ruth, thanks for doing this. My great-grandfather, Duncan MacPhee, was in the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots and was KIA at Arras by German artillery on 9th April 1917, aged 28 years. His name is on the wall at Faubourg d'Amiens. I have his photo, funeral card, and a photo of the local memorial at Taynuilt on my wall. I wore a small badge from his unit as a kilt pin at my wedding. One day I hope to take my son to France to see that area as well as some of the others. Lest we forget.

[@ruthaisling]

I hope you can visit sometime, it's a very impactful experience going there when you have family members listed on the wall.

[@skarabraeranch2093]

Thank you Ruth. As a Scottish-born Canadian, I found this to be particularly touching.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching from Canada.

[@thehowlingmisogynist9871]

Hi Ruth - My grandmothers brother - Pvt Kenneth "Kenny" Green, 2nd Gordon Highlanders, Died of wounds 1915 at Festubert (age 19). Born and raised in Lochmaben (a few miles from Lockerbie) quite near your home village - we never forgot you Kenny!!

[@ruthaisling]

So sad, Lockerbie has such a sad history too

[@fredfeldt5329]

I love even more now than you could ever know ❤

[@tomfezz]

Wow. what an amazing video. I'm a coach driver from the uk. I go on these battle fields a lot with different groups mainly school groups. you really did an amazing job on this video and can't wait to see the next one. So many people died it's hard to imagine what it was like. You keep there memories alive by creating such a great video.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Tom, that's nice to hear that school groups are visiting. I wish I had visited on a school trip when I was younger.

[@NIckyFromDunedin]

these WW1 videos are some of your best Ruth, Thank you

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much 😊

[@GK49245]

Thank you for sharing such a meaningful video. Beautifully produced, rich content, one of the best KZbin videos. Brought a tear. Being there alone, in the cold, must have intensified your visit. Your Canadian connection is quite interesting, and the Scottish Cairn was a nice stop. Look forward to seeing your next videos. Lest we forget. ❤😢

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and for your nice comment, I really appreciate it. The cold was bitter 😢

[@tedfalconer1838]

Ruth, a very sad video. I lost a first cousin in WWII on Iwo Jima at nineteen in the U S Marines. Also a sad story. Really just a boy.

[@ruthaisling]

So sad how young so many of these people were 😥

[@Murman22]

Simply one of your best videos to date. Thank you

[@ruthaisling]

That means so much, thank you. ❤

[@johnbrown3951]

If not the best. Certainly the most emotional.

[@blackcatdungeonmastersfami5311]

The 9th division started off entirely Scottish and saw first action at Loos in 1915 but as time went on it got battalions from other regiments and by 1917 one of the brigades was South African so it makes sense there'd be a lot of South African brigades in a 9th division cemetery. It's pretty typical, divisions got mixed up a lot as time went on and tended to lose some of their original identity.

[@Beachy2231]

Hello Ruth I’ve visited Arras’s Memorial few times now it’s such an overwhelming feeling when you see all those names on the walls of the missing soldiers in ww1 😢. My great uncle being one of the many thousands of names there . Killled in action April 1917 🌹 . I will be visiting again quite soon to pay respects - thank you Ruth for this video ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and it's nice that your great uncle is also mentioned on the Arras Memorial.

[@stuartnelson-xq4wb]

You did your relatives a great service that I am sure your family will be so proud of!! I took my father to the grave of his uncle. A very moving experience! Keep up the good work!!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Stuart, it must have been a very moving experience for your father with the close relationship of only one generation

[@AstonD]

That was lovely Ruth. A very touching tribute.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Aston, appreciate you watching the video

[@moelassus]

That was so touching. We visit France almost every year and always make a point to visit one of the many war grave sites. It's sobering. Notre Dame de Lotette is particularly sobering. Thank you for sharing this Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes sobering is definitely the right word to describe it. Thank you for watching. ❤

[@finneysimon]

Your video really struck a chord for me. It’s been a long time since I thought about my grandfather who served during the Great War, and fought at the Somme and came home after the war. My Mum was born in 1933, and then years later I came along in 1958. I think it’s time for me to find out my Grandfather’s story of the Great War. Thanks for starting that journey for me.

[@ruthaisling]

I'm glad this video inspired you to find out more.

[@jonesclanontheroadmoho]

Ruth thank you for such an excellent item and so well presented. thank you on behalf of all service personnel Past and present.❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you

[@jeffreyskinner6281]

Wow,,, what an amazing video. I never have been so moved by a KZbin video.Thank you Ruth for such an emotional and touching piece. Cheers to you for making such an effort to honor your family and a never ending thanks to all those who fought in The Great War.

[@ruthaisling]

Wow, thanks Jeffrey, I am glad the video had a big impact. Thanks for watching.

[@Alastair6]

That was a very emotional and moving video, Ruth. I served overseas in the US Air Force during the Vietnam "conflict" and I saw the after-effects of war daily. I can't look at even a photo of the Vietnam War memorial without breaking down. Thanks for posting this.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing Alastair, it must be very tough 😥

[@roseogrady8785]

Interesting to see the French School Children visiting The Graves... Very emotional Video...Lest We Forget...Thank You.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching

[@rupertbare2023]

Thank you so much for allowing us to see this video, Ruth. I feel privileged to have been able to follow you on your visit to these sad places Your loyalty to your family members who sacrificed their young lives is commendable and moving. We shall remember them.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I appreciate you watching. ❤

[@Thomas-cp6qe]

Very sad Ruth and makes me question my own relatively carefree existence. I often reflect on Wilfred Owen's vivid poetry and remember my Uncles killed in WW1 and WW2 with all the other brave souls. War cemeteries such as Arras demand we remember them. Thank you for sharing this moving vid.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching Thomas.

[@andyburns2385]

Wonderful video. 2 of my grandchildren are studying WW1. I think this will be of great interest

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you. I hope they find it helpful and I’m so glad they’re learning about WW1.

[@Rambler595]

A very powerful and moving tribute to your family members and countrymen. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching ❤

[@abba10016]

I visited the Flanders fields and their many cemeteries (large and small) many, many years ago and it was such a moving experience. You hear about the human cost but it its not until you see the names listed on the memorials and gravestones that the magnitude of that war truly hits you. To think about the Menin Gate and Thiepval Memorial together listing the names of 120,000+ people who have no known grave is just indescribable.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes, so so shocking to see all those names listed on the memorials.

[@davidheaver2854]

Great video Ruth. I intend to visit a distant great uncle Frederick Charles who fell near St Quentin and who is commemorated at Savy cemetery next year. Like you, it is important to capture these elements in our family histories.

[@helenanderson-smith5605]

My Gt Uncle Maj G Bremner MC. DSO. also fell in the battle for St Quentin canal. March 23rd 1918 which was in the first few days of the spring offensive. He was stationed at Rouez camp nearby and was in the RE. They were losing a lot of men and they were bought in as reserves. Terrible losses that day.

[@davewilliams639]

Ruth, a very important visit you've just made. I can imagine how emotional it was for you.

[@ruthaisling]

I'm really glad I made the effort to finally visit.

[@robtt997]

The memorials and cemeteries are truly overwhelming . Both my grandfathers were gunners and survived albeit one of them was badly gassed in 1918 . My great uncle was an officer in the Black Watch in WW1 and was awarded the MC . Excellent video I so enjoyed it . I am now too old to visit the battlefields again.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and I'm glad to hear your relatives survived.

[@Annie4Always]

Outstanding! The Photos, History & War Footage, along with showing us the impressive site of the Canadian Soldier's Memorial at Vimy Ridge & all the other interesting Information you shared here is incredible! Especially the story of the fellow planting acorns which grew into Oak trees, in memory of the brave Canadian soldiers who died there. So touching! Absolutely fascinating & deeply moving! I am so glad that you made & shared this vital & deeply moving journey with us! Also, it is so amazing that you were able to find your relatives memorial & grave sites! That is also deeply touching! Your doing this, once again, so clearly shows your depth of heart & spirit. That terrible War resulting in the tragic deaths of those young men was so devastating! It was truly heart wrenching to see all those brave young men's names on the memorial plaques & gravestones, especially those of your family members. Just to think of them & all those precious souls who sacrificed their lives in that horrific War is mind blowing. They were so brave & selfless... beyond words! Even more so was feeling the deep sadness their family members felt, who heard they had lost their loved ones forever in that senseless War. I am very proud that you cared so deeply to go there to visit their 'resting places' & to share with us this heart felt dedication to their Memory! We give thanks for all of their lives & their selfless & courageous sacrifices! May they Rest in Peace! I too, am, & always have been, fascinated by the stories of these courageous War Heroes & I very often watch many Documentaries on the War & the stories of these precious souls, especially around Remembrance Day. I watched dozens of them just recently & once again, was so deeply moved by the extreme courage of those brave men. I too feel such a deep connection with these brave souls & realize the vital importance of honoring each one of them & their memory... as individuals, who actually lived, but never had the chance to live fully, because of this cruel & senseless War. This nightmare resulted in their tragic deaths, due to their self less sacrifice in this horrific War! This definitely must NEVER to be forgotten! I am so glad that you also treasure the reality of this vital fact & by making this journey, especially ensured that your family members & their Comrades in arms were both honored & remembered here by all of us. I am also certain Old John would have been so very proud of you too! By your honoring all of the soldiers & especially his fellow Scotsmen! Aye! 'Twill always be so true "Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind. Therefore, never ask to know for whom the bell tolls...it tolls for thee." Indeed! Thank you for sharing! Blessings to you Ruth!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for your very long comment, I enjoyed reading it. Do you have any war documentaries or films that you recommend? I've started watching some on Iplayer but I'm interested to watch more about WW1. I'm sure old John would be very proud. He was probably too old to be called up or perhaps he passed away long before this war!

[@Annie4Always]

@@ruthaisling Hi Ruth, Sorry my Comment was so long. It is just that all of this is, & has been, so vital & important to me. I have watched many Documentaries since Remembrance Day Nov 11th 2023, both of WWI & WWII. The one that stands out just recently was called Canada At War. It was excellent, but it was much more than just about Canada. It can be watched here on YT in segments & is excellent! There is a channel here on YT called War Stories. It has so many videos that are fascinating to watch with incredible & amazing footage. I did a deep dive into this topic more than ever this year & the videos I watched & what I saw & watched in them was absolutely mind boggling. You just would not believe the scope of all the things it took to win that War, along with all of the brave soldiers, Including the Resistance Fighters from France & Poland & other Allied Countries, the Spies(both men & women), the Double Agents, the Subterfuge to fool the enemy, the Code Breaking etc etc. All very fascinating! These stories & many more can be found on the War Story Channel & other Channels here on YT. Also, if you want to watch a few great Movies set during the war, there are some I have watched that are excellent. One is called The Book Thief( A True Story I believe.) Another is called the Zookeeper's Wife(A true story). Another is called The Hiding Place, found here free on YT.(Also a true story) Lastly, is one, which is one of my favorite Movies set on Christmas which is called Silent Night, (with German & U.S. soldiers finding themselves together in a Hunting Lodge in Germany on Christmas Eve...also a True Story) & with a twist at the end. Excellent movie! (Also found here free on YT.) These are all set during WWII & are excellent. Well, Ruth I am sure you will find these Channels, Documentaries & movies truly fascinating & as I did. Thank you again for this touching video & dedication to your brave relatives & other soldiers who fought in this terrible War. Blessings to you!

[@ruthaisling]

@@Annie4Always Thank you, I will follow your recommendations. I appreciate you sharing them!

[@Annie4Always]

@@ruthaisling My pleasure Ruth! Have a lovely evening!

[@MeredithMarshall-z1w]

Excellent video, i did a similar trip to Munich WW2 to trace family. Its a sobering subject - Lest we forget. 👍

[@TXMEDRGR]

This was an extremely powerful video. I am so moved by your journey and tribute to your family members who served and died in World War I. Thank you for sharing this with us. As a child, I knew a great-uncle who served in WWI as a member of the American Army. He was a victim of a gas attack and had lung problems for the rest of his life. Your video serves as a tribute to both your family and all the brave soldiers of the Great War.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and for your comment. The lung problems sound awful. 😢

[@anthonylambert4523]

I'm an old soldier myself and have nothing but respect,pride and thanks to all those brave lads who fought for our freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice. "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" !!

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching Anthony

[@bobswezey7452]

Well done Ruth, brouth a tear to my eyes all throe lifes lost in ww2...

[@kennyjoe7asa]

Grace and peace to you and your family.