Remembrance Day

Lest We Forget

My family did not lose any loved ones in WWI; Grandfather Griffith came home to his family. He suffered though – during his time in Europe and certainly afterward, as did his family, not knowing if they would see him again, not hearing from him for weeks, even months at a time, not knowing if he was still alive.

He was buried alive in a trench, was mustard gassed and hit by shrapnel. Imagine him going off to war to protect his family and the families of his relatives and friends, his descendants – like me and my children. I seldom give it a thought – but today is the day we honor all those who served our great country of Canada and I started thinking of his service and sacrifice.

My Grandfather suffered much for his country, as did my Grandmother as he went off to war, leaving her to care for their 5 children (the oldest was 7). He discussed the situation with my Grandmother before enlisting, and she supported him. I’m sure she was afraid for him and for their family, not only because of the world enemy, but the enemy of most poor families – poverty.

I can only imagine my Grandmother’s thoughts of trying to support her family if her husband did not come home. He knew she would receive his military wages on a regular basis and have enough to feed their children while he was gone. He knew she would receive a pension if he didn’t come back. All round, it was a good decision as jobs were scarce and his number one priority was supporting his family. He knew he had to go to war. He was 32.

Private William John Griffith enlisted May 5 1916 in New Westminster with the 131st Battalian and was transferred to the 47th Battalian to serve in the “Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force”. He served in France, at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, with the 131st Battalion for 15 1/2 months before being shipped home and discharged as “medically unfit”.

Grandfather Griffith died a year before I was born.

I will not forget.