I have a locket I picked up many years ago at a flea market in a little resort town on the shores of Lake Huron. It is tarnished and battered, but for some reason it called out to me, and I "had to have it". My guess is it is pewter, and was once plated with silver, but most of the silver is long gone. On the front is a regimental crest that I have not yet had identified (although not from lack of trying) and on the back, inside a wreath of ivy leaves, is engraved the word "Arras".
A dear old gentleman I knew as a teenager, a WWII veteran and long time Canadian Forces member, who went on to serve in the diplomatic service, told me that soldiers would have these lockets made when going in to battle, and send them home to their sweethearts. I dearly wish my locket could talk,and tell me its story.
I am sitting here today watching a History Channel Documentary on Normandy, and was thinking about my locket. While I cherish the locket for reasons I can't name, the thought crossed my mind of this tradition in a modern setting. I would not want a locket commemorating Panjawaii or Nahkonay; from Medak or Sarajevo. I do not want a pice of jewellry to remind me of a place a loved one or friend experienced the realities of war.
I do wear jewellry, mementos to remind me of my loved ones, and maybe to some that is equally strange. I choose to remeber the person, not the event.
Today's musings.
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I am sitting here today watching a History Channel Documentary on Normandy, and was thinking about my locket. While I cherish the locket for reasons I can't name, the thought crossed my mind of this tradition in a modern setting. I would not want a locket commemorating Panjawaii or Nahkonay; from Medak or Sarajevo. I do not want a pice of jewellry to remind me of a place a loved one or friend experienced the realities of war.
I do wear jewellry, mementos to remind me of my loved ones, and maybe to some that is equally strange. I choose to remeber the person, not the event.
Today's musings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arras itself is a village in Northern France, in the heart of the Artois region. The Dutch call the village Atrecht, and it is founded on the site of an ancient Celt village called Nemetocenna, in homage to a sacred grove that once stood on the spot.
What is referred to as the First Battle of Arras began October 1, 1914, and was a conflict between France (which, although it lost the major battle, managed to hold Arras itself) and the German Empire.
The Battle at Vimy Ridge was part of the larger WWI assault referred to as the Battle of Arras, April 9 to May 16, 1917. It is an interesting historical side note that since Newfoundland did not agree to become part of Canada until 1949, in the records for Arras it is listed separately as one of the combatants, equal along side of The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
The offensive referred to as the Second WWI Battle of Arras was August 26, 1918, as part of the Second Battle of the Somme, and the Hundred Days Offensive.
The WWII Battle of Arras, commencing May 21, 1940, was a "tank war" fought as part of the Battle of France.
I wish you luck in finding the regiment the locket refers too. Surely, if you are close to a base, the Army Historian there could help you.
ReplyDeleteThe mystery of the story is so intriguing, too.
I'm doing good just to hang on to my dog tags for back in the day.
If I found a locket or medallion like that I would wear it in honor of whom ever.
My spouse found a war medal when he was a boy. He tried to find its owner or descendants, but was unsuccessful. Since he's joined the army the medal means even more to him now. He too muses about the story behind the item.
ReplyDeleteCan you email me closeup pictures of it? I know someone who might be able to help. :)
ReplyDelete