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From: "Steve Morse" <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] late recognition for John Simpson Kirkpatrick
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 11:49:28 -0000
References: <001301c52361$3d28a180$2102a8c0@Belkin>


Hello Each

Many men deserved the highest award and never received it. To my Knowledge
the award was not 'turned down' by the British MOD in 1917. Strict criteria
was set down for putting the award forward.

Many Canadian's, Australians etc were actually born in Britain and had
emigrated.
John Simpson Kirkpatrick was born in England, so was he actually an
Australian at the time ?

As a military historian, I cannot understand this modern day urge to 'right
wrongs' of 90 years ago. It was a different world with different values.
In fact it may as well have been a different planet.
It should be accepted as such. Our job is to make sure that future
generations remember the men who fought and died. Not to try and change
history 90 years on. Although many 'so' called historians write books
trying to do just that.
Haig thought that the ANZAC troops were his best Shock troops. The
Canadians as some of the best troops he had. Despite their early failures.
There are two certainties in War - men will die and also make mistakes.
There were also heroes and villains.

My wife's Grandfather was a Lancashire Fusilier and apparently they fought
quite well at Gallipoli !. Although it could be argued I suppose that the 7
VC's before breakfast should have gone to the Aussies (joke!)
I presume that in this modern world, we will soon have the 'No win no fee'
crowd fighting cases for long gone men.
I know of at least one VC winner who could easily have been Courts
Martialled instead.

off me soapbox now.
I do not wish to upset anyone but to try and state facts. At a time when
most kids do not realise that 'The Battle of Hastings was a real event,
fiddling with history will only make things worse.

Regards
Steve


Born in Derbyshire and sent to Coventry

all things DRING -
www.dring.org.uk

Great War- Ypres Salient
www.ypressalient.co.uk


People ask me what my religion is.
I tell them, 'My religion is kindness'

A politician is a man who gives your life for his country



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