Just back from one of the best holidays ever, to the UK visiting my homeland, family friends including one or two old classmates. people who I have known for almost 40 years.
As you get a little older, some things start to mean more to you than perhaps they did earlier in life. Rather than focus on the career, the car, the new house and other material things, I find myself these days, appreciating the memorable experiences in life, much much more.
To put it in perspective, let me first talk about how I fulfilled an ambition, that I have held since I was about 14. Always a keen student of History,I wondered what it would be like to see the places and experience a little of what our heroes from World War One and Two, did, how they fought against tyranny and gave their lives for us.
That was special, more about that later, but first I want to talk about friendship and bonds with people. Someone once said to me that if you can count three real friends in your life you are very, very fortunate. If that is the yardstick, then I would consider myself richer than Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch put together.
Not Facebook, where the one with 5,000 Friends (some of whom have never met) on Facebook wins, it is about the quality of the people you hold dear. Real friends, people who know every thing they possibly could about you, and still like you, even when they probably shouldn’t.
People who may not be around all the time, but when they are, they are never any different. They don’t care about what you do, how wealthy you are, or what your share portfolio is like. All they want to know is, are you the same person that they always knew. Nothing else matters to them.
What has this got to do with anything you may ask? Well a lot really, you see, I have like most of us been striving hard to achieve results, more leads, more sales, more money. All very important stuff and something we must never ever sway away from, a life without purpose isn’t very fulfilling. But, at the end of the day, what is it that matters the most?
What is it that gives us the most satisfaction? Sure material things do matter, but only if they can lead us to real happiness. If not it all counts for nothing. The moments we experience with the people we care most about, are the things that no one can ever take away from us and these are priceless.
I have memories of over 30 years, reliving some of the hell raising, yet harmless antics we got up to, and I can replay those moments in my mind over and over and still laugh, even more than when they were happening. Yes, they were wonderful days, and we are all mightily grateful for them
See the following two photos, one from 1981 at TOTS nightclub in Southend, the other taken on January 5th this year at the Crumpled Horn pub Upminster. Same people, same pose left to right Tony, Bill, Pete and me on the right, yes the one with the curly hair!!!!! The fact that we are still such great friends 30-40 years later, will tell you a little about the values and principals of myself and the people I choose to call friends.
In this particular photo, there was just the four of us, however there are enough photos taken 30 years ago, with over a dozen faces that would still be around for a follow up shot today. Ok it might mean a quick trip back to Blighty once again, but you get my drift.
Now back to my earlier comment and the pilgrimage to the battlefields of both World Wars. Visiting the towns of Amiens, Albert, Pozières Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval, Villers-Bretonneux was spine chilling. Pozières was a strong Aussie foothold, and the village actually remembers and pays tribute to our lads with the “Aussie Digger Hotel” We walked in expecting to see a coachload of Aussies singing “The Road to Gundagai” but know just a couple of locals and a French barmaid who couldn’t speak a word of English. I overcame that with my “Delboy” spreckensie Francais “Excusem moi madam, Est que vous deux pints a la Gervray Chambretam, Si’l Vous Plait. Mange Tu, Mange Tu. She gave us two cokes.
My focus was the Battle of the Somme and the 1st day, July 1 1916. The memorial of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont Hamel, has a beautifully preserved trench network, where you can walk through to the frontline and the Hawthorn Ridge crater. This was the underground explosion that the British set off underneath the German lines, to kick off the battle, Beaumont Hamel, close to where the Battle of the Somme began, hoping it would lead to a quick and decisive victory. Not a chance.
Just looking at the fields of battle was moving enough for me. Of course they look beautiful and peaceful now, but there was a time where these muddy, charred paddocks were full of men charging with bayonets, going over the top, doing it for “King and Country”. legendary cliches like “Fritz don’t like it up em chaps” those wonderful morale boosting songs like “It’s a long way to Tipperary” Pack up your Troubles” etc.
It was bad enough that the men were having to sleep in waterlogged rat infested trenches, no food, no warmth, and constant shelling, that they had to face the thought of first thing in the morning climbing out of the trench knowing you would almost certainly be shot by an enemy gun.
The 1st Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont Hamel was almost entirely wiped out. Out of 801 men, only 68 made it to roll call the next morning. Over 500 were dead.
When I watch some of the old newsreels I am still amazed how they remained so seemingly cheerful and calm about it. All of them had to be shitting themselves, but the biggest concern for some of the men, was the thought of letting their mates down. Unbelievable…
Is it a morbid fascination that I have? It sure ain’t bravery, because the thought of going within 50 miles of the trenches to sample what they went through, would scare me to death. I couldn’t do it, and I cannot fathom how they did it. Even today 96 years after the Battle of the Somme, -which is no time really- I fail to see how the super powers of Europe could contrive to create an almighty scene of chaos and living hell for such meaningless purpose. Oh my, how cheap was life considered back then.
Field Marshall Douglas Haig, was a fine upstanding aristocratic Scot, who apparently thought 40,000 casualties on the first day of the battle could not be considered severe, given the enormity of the attack. Later that day someone would have had to break the news to Dougie that it was in fact 60,000 men that had perished. I wonder how he reacted to that, a touch of indifference I expect?
I guess it’s easy to attack Haig and his contemporaries and accuse them of incompetence, but on the other hand, back then it was different era and expectations on a different planet. What we today call barbaric and cruel , was then deemed acceptable. Haig was merely doing what he’d been brought up to do, and he believed he was right. Whatever your view, I still fail to see why General Haig, is immortalised with a memorial in his honour at Westminster.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I wonder if in 1914 the leaders of these great Empires, could have fast forwarded to 1918, would they have spared us the carnage, and said, “forget it lads not worth falling out over dead monarch is it?
We finished up at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, where the 4th & 5th Division of the Australian Imperial Force held up the German advance and recaptured the town in April 1918. It came at a cost of over 1,200 Australian lives. Enormously sad to read some of the headstones which indicated some of the men had died in December 1918, weeks after the end of the war. You would assume many died of wounds received weeks earlier, but I also wondered how many could have been taken out by German snipers who possibly didn’t know about the Armistice.
After a couple of days on the Somme we travelled north to Normandy, and followed the trail of the D-Day Invasion on June 6 1944. First stop, Bénouville Bridge (later named Pegasus Bridge after the emblem of Howards unit) near to the ancient city of Caen. In the early hours of June 6, Major John Howard led a team of British soldiers into battle with a battalion of Germans defending the bridge. An important strategic point for both sides as it linked up with the British landing at nearby Sword Beach. Anyway the team of British Commanders glided in, landed feet away from the bridge, attacked, took it and held it against strong German counter-attack for several hours until finally relieved.
We stayed overnight just up the road, in the coastal town of Ouistreham, and had some fantastic mussels for dinner. Then set off next morning visiting Sword Beach, Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. Omaha, was of course the most moving. Anyone who saw Saving Private Ryan, can relate to what I’m saying. Looking down on the beach from the German vantage points where their defences lay, gave a strong indication of how tough this would have been for our American cousins, who landed there that morning. What a nightmare. Utah and Sword seemed tame in comparison, but you still wouldn’t have got me there for quids.
We finished off at the old town of Sainte-Mere Eglisé, where some of the 81st and 101st Airborne landed the night before the invasion, only to be cut down by German machine guns. There was a great and famous story of a Paratrouper called John Steele who’s parachute got stuck on the belfry of the town’s church. He lived to tell the tale, amazing.
Driving into these towns with Vanessa in her Mazda convertible was a highlight. Although it was early January, the mild weather was conducive to taking the rooftop down, and a blast of her CD featuring classic songs, Jerusalem and Abide with Me ‘ were very appropriate in allowing us to pay our respects to so many heroes. Truly, truly amazing experience and life changing.
The experience of just treading the same ground as these men, has changed my perspective on life somewhat, and has made me feel a little more grateful. How could it not? Makes our lives today seem insane when compared to theirs. We take it for granted, we complain about getting up, going to work, fighting the traffic and all. Those poor lads didn’t have a choice, with their whole lives in front of them, they sacrificed them. Sometimes I think the universe delivers us messages designed to have us rethink our priorities, and inspire us beyond belief. This experience was a great leveller for me, and one I hope stays long my thoughts. Lest we forget
Anyway, cheers and my thanks to everyone back in my country of birth who helped make the trip the most memorable one ever. I have come away with a most amazing sense of gratitude and inner peace.
Just back from one of the best holidays ever, to Europe visiting my homeland, family, friends in the UK including one or two old classmates. people who I have known for almost 40 years. Also crossed the channel on two occasions to spend a few days in Belgium and France.
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Such tragic news to hear that the Manager of the Welsh Football team, Gary Speed hung himself on the weekend. Just over a week ago, while attending the Lifeline Taboo lunch, I heard a number of prominent Australians, talk about their own battles with depression and attempted suicides. Former Australian Rugby winger, Joe Roff, who is an ambassador for Lifeline Australia, spoke about the difficulties ex- elite sports people face when their playing days are over. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov
27
ash on November 27th, 2011
Are you aware of the massive Paradigm Shift, that has taken place over the past decade, revolutionising the way business is done around the world? Read the rest of this entry »
I recently attended Lifelines “Taboo or Not Taboo” lunch at Parliament House with my Goosebumps colleagues, Pete, Kath & Anthony. Read the rest of this entry »
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to present to the BNI Federal Chapter at ‘The Deck’ Regatta Point. I took the opportunity to enlightening the members on the range of services provided by Goosebumps, but I also highlighted the paradigm shift that has changed the way products and services are promoted. Read the rest of this entry »
Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process.
Sep
21
ash on September 21st, 2011
It’s been one hell of a journey to get here, and a bit of soul searching, but I’m delighted to say we’ve made it. Goosebumps has officially launched into the Canberra market, and tonight we celebrated in style with a few close friends and valued clients down at the Canberra Theatre Courtyard Studio. Read the rest of this entry »
Stay tuned as there will be some big changes at Art Direction in the coming weeks, that are very exciting.
Personal Care - Herbalife has an extensive range of Personal Care / Outer Nutrition products, which build on the foundation of optimum nutrition to soothe, smooth and noticeably improve skin and hair, which help enhance your overall well-being. Read the rest of this entry »
The key to greatness. Find a way to serve the many.
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