Sunday 23 April 2006

'ENGLAND and St GEORGE'

 The Beautiful  Cathedral,In Peterborough

As you know today is St George's day and I'd like to share a memory ,with you .

 

In more modern times, St George was chosen by Baden-Powell, its founder, to be patron of the Scouting Movement, and on St George's Day, scouts are bidden to remember their Promise and the Scout Law. Baden-Powell recounted in Scouting for Boys that the Knights of the Round Table 'had as their patron saint St George because he was the only one of all the saints who was a horseman. He is the patron saint of cavalry, from which the word chivalry is derived'.

Whilst I was working at the Tudors, my Daughter Sharon was helping run the cub scout troop, and on St Georges day, they would all would take part in the St Georges day parade, which is held in Peterborough Cathedral, I remember going one year, the parade and service was in the afternoon ,and as I was on duty in the evening I wore my uniform and went straight to work after the service .    Ernie, a dear old gentleman, an old soldier, who had been captured by the japs, but had escaped! He was fiercely patriotic, and when later I spoke to his Granddaughter I learned that the big portrait he had of the queen, hanging in his room, used to hang in the living room in his old home, and as a little girl she had to curtsey to the picture .Well when I got to work I gave Ernie the programme, He read it and then said I would have liked to gone with you ,oh  I Didn’t think ,Well next year I promise I’ll take you ,Ernie was extremely frail, he had tattoo’s that were now dark blue where they had shrunk on his poor shrinking frame ,He was so thin,he must have been a big sturdy man when he was younger , no one expected Ernie to live but he made it to the next year ,So I chatted up my son in law ,he took me to the Tudors ,where we managed to get Ernie and a walking stick and then his wheel chair into the car (I had of course obtained his families permission)Phil helped me get Ernie out of the car and into the wheel chair ,and arranged to pick us up later .Well we found a nice spot where we could watch the parade, we had a ciggy while we watched the cubs ,scouts sea cadets and various bands march past ,Then made our way into the Cathedral, we sat in some seats of the nave ,me on the end with Ernie’s chair in the aisle. He loved it he joined in the singing,as best he could ,though I did end up with a lot of soggy tissues in my pocket ,mostly Ernie’s tears though have to admit I shed a couple my self !I should have also told you he was sporting a chest full of medals! What a wonderful time we were having until the end and the magnificent organ struck up the national anthem …..Well this old soldier wasn’t going to remain seated, he never stood for long nowadays, but that was beside the point! Up he got, somehow!!Helped by me and his stick I locked my self into position and held him up and I had never realised how long the national anthem is ….all three verses. But we did it! And he took home his own programme that year .Sadly Ernie died later that year, and I was honoured to nurse him to the end, and indeed perform the last offices for him .

  Have a good day Every one ! from Jan xx

   

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely entry, great memories. Happy St. George's Day!
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Anonymous said...

I would have been blubbing at Ernie standing for the national anthem too!!You are so goodhearted Jan.

Anonymous said...

Hello Jan
Wow, can you just imagine how Ernie must have felt, all those thoughts of defending his country flashing thru his mind and then when he heard the national anthem being played no wonder he stood up.   We all have a lot to be thankful for the many 'Ernies' that stood up for us.
Luv Jayne
http://journals.aol.co.uk/funnyface0s0/SingleGirl

Anonymous said...

how lovely of you

Anonymous said...

How interesting Jan, and how kind you were to Ernie, and sorry to hear he died.but to have known a man like that must make you proud.
Luv
Rach.x

Anonymous said...

Happy St. George's Day Jan - lovely entry.
Sylvia xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/sylviam4000/YeOldeEnglishPosy/

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan that was a lovely story,how very kind you were to Ernie,bet he really enjoyed his time with you.Great Photos of Peterborough Catheral on St Georges Day.How courageous of Ernie to stand with your help to the National anthem ........Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

What a great story. Ernie sounds like an all right kind of guy. Glad you took him with you. Those pictures are beautiful. Helen

Anonymous said...

Thanks for letting us know about St George's day and about wonderful Ernie too. Sandra

Anonymous said...

Awww that's lovely Jan, Ernie sounds a treasure.  The pics are wonderful.  Have a good St.Georges day. Rache

Anonymous said...

What a sweet story. Here in the US  when Memorial Day & Veterans Day reports show up on the news, you always see dear old veterans, many in their wheel chairs with their medals attached to their chests. They are fiercely patriotic and not ashamed of their service to their country. Linda in sunny Washington state

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Peterborough Cathedral ~ and how Lucky Ernie was to know you ~ Lovey memery Jan ~ lovely entry ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

I paraded with my cub scouts today and it was a lovely turn out......Jules xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

Anonymous said...

My nephews paraded for St George with their scouts today :-) Lovely story about Ernie !! have a great day Jan :-) Happy St George's !!!
lots of love Debbie ~xxx~

Anonymous said...

What a lovely thing to do and I am sure Ernie enjoyed himself. I really enjoyed reading about it. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

that just gave me super duper chill bumps.  What an awesome memory you have and such an honorable friend to remember.  GBU, Shelly

Anonymous said...

So pleased Ernie managed that memory

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan,

What a lovely story of an old man`s patriotism.  This country needs more men like Ernie.  Thanks for sharing your memory with us. :o)

Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story. It's so easy to forget what our older genreration went through. They all have a story to tell and we don't listen anywhere near enough. Thanks for sharing. B. x

Anonymous said...

Hi ya Jan,

I love your pics...I have been to Windsor Castle..my maiden name was castle...Yes Bicester is close to oxford..about 6 miles i think...thanks for stopping by my Journal...ttfn..

Lynn

Anonymous said...

What a lovely memory.....thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That is such a lovely thing you did for that gentleman :-)  You've a heart of gold jan xx

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful, Jan.  I'm sure that was a wonderful memory in his old life.  I would have been crying along with the both of you.  And so sweet that you held him up.  I bet you were worn out but so worth it.  HUGS...Chris