A hymn that softened the hatred of war

(Top): Grave of Rev. H.F. Lyte
[Holy Trinity Church, Nice]
Photo: Jacques, husband of Cathie Fidler (Lefebvre)

(Bottom): McGuinness family headstone
[Whitehaven Cemetery, Ward 5, Section K]
Photo: Joseph Ritson

During the quiet moments after the fighting in North Africa and Italy Sergeant Patrick (Pat) McGuinness, 7th Queen’s Own Hussars, used to lead the men of his company in song. To soften the hatred caused by war, Pat would finish each night’s sing-song with the hymn “Abide With Me” by Rev. Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847).

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ARP Warden Thomas C. Graham

Photographs:

1. The main road at Distington, Cunbria
(Between Workington and Whitehaven)
[Where Thomas Graham was injured on 8/9 September 1940]

2. Whitehaven Castle, Cumbria
(Used as a hospital during WW2)
[Thomas Graham died here on 10 October 1940]

3. Distington Parish Church (Church of England)
[Thomas Graham's funeral service took place here]

4. ARP Warden Thomas Graham's Headstone
[Located in Distington Churchyard]

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"Dig for Victory"

WW2 "Dig for Victory" leaflet
(Author's collection)

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"So that France might Live"

Photographs:

1. The 'Bataillon Vervet' (Maquis) Monument
Lourdes Cemetery

2. Family Grave of Jean Capdevielle (WW2 'résistant')

3. Memorial of M. René Sarrazin (WW2 'résistant')
[A commander in the 'Franc Pommiès corps in WW2]

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The Liberation of Lourdes (August 1944)

Photographs:

1. The Castle of Lourdes (65) above the town
[With the 'Pic du Béout' mountain in the distance]

2. The Hôtel Beauséjour, Lourdes
(Where the German troops surrendered in August 1944)

3. Commemorative plaque outside the Hôtel Beauséjour

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The War Memorials of Bartrès (65), France

(Top): Bartrès Village War Memorial
[This Civic Memorial was re-dedicated in 2005]

(Bottom): Bartrès Parish Church War Memorial
[This memorial is inside the Bartrès Parish Church]

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