One recent weekly theme was red and when the more specific daily prompt of honour was added, Sue thought of her dad's war medals. We have a small box of them, and there is another grouping elsewhere in the family.
I put it in the back of my mind that I would also like to photograph a few of them, so about a week after Sue had completed her photoshoot, I roused myself to do just that.
I will only post one photo today, which will leave me with a couple more for some other time, possibly for Remembrance Day.
My vision was to keep it simple, and this was the simplest composition of the three that I took — a single medal on a black background with a lot of negative space.
Sue's dad received this medal sometime between March and August of 1945. The Star of Germany and France is what is inscribed around the edge. In the centre is GRI VI. That would be for George VI Rex Imperator. King and Emperor., unless someone can tell me differently. I understand that the six stars were for six different campaigns, the France and Germany campaign being one of them. The war record that Sue was able to obtain indicates that her father was awarded two additional Star medals: one for Italy and one, apparently, a general one. I will have to look in the box to see what else we have. His higher medals, if I may call them that, have made their way to other members of the family.
Although I hadn't originally thought to do this, I think I would be remiss if I didn't also include Sue's 365 photo and description. She arranged many medals and other treasures around photos of her father and grandfather.
Day 50 Red/Honour Honour - this is not a difficult decision at all today. My dad and my grandfather both served Canada in a war. WWI and WWII. I am not sure what my grandfather's position was during WWI, but I know he was at Vimy. My dad was a tank driver/mechanic during WWII and was wounded 3 times. When I went to the War Museum in Ottawa and looked down inside a tank I was shocked to see how cramped it would be for three men. My dad sat on an iron triangle seat at the bottom of the tank, and had two men positioned above him. They had to exit the tank before he could, so once he was in there he was the last man out. I was claustrophobic just looking at that space. I don't know how my dad did it. My brother and nephew have most of dad's medals, but I have a few in a box of treasures my grandchildren have sifted through and admired. Both men are worthy of honour indeed.
19 comments:
I sure do like Sue's picture and commentary. Thank you for sharing her work with me, I am impressed. :-)
Sue’s photo and commentary are wonderful! One can imagine the nightmares after the war created by time spent in such a claustrophobic space as a tank. Or the horror that was Vimy!
THose men who fought in awful battles do deserve the respect and gratitude of their descendants...metals are good reminders of their valor.
I believe it's Rex Imperator. King and emperor.
Sue certainly has the photographer's eye & the writers gift of words.
These are beautifully composed.
At 6'2", I found a WWII era submarine extremely claustrophobic. I can't imagine a tank.
Sue did an amazing job.
I think the RI is actually Latin - Rex, Imperator - but I have not looked it up to make sure. George VI was the last to have the I as Britain got out of India just after the war. (?) Present queen is just Regina, but Victoria was Imperatrix, I think. Also have not looked that up. Drowning in mail for the BIL's estate.
Those are beautiful medals and what Sue wrote is wonderful. The costs of war are unimaginably high. I can't imagine what those soldiers went through. You would think that we would learn from them and their experiences.
Such a significant day to be reading about medals of war.
What a beautiful photo. I bet every relative would like a copy. Do you happen to know what the black keychain gadget is in the lower part of the photo? Is it a type of military watch or counter? Linda in Kansas
Those are treasures capture well by both of you.
Very nice photos and commentary.
Both of those photos are striking! Yours photographically, but Sue's visually and in terms of the information it provides. Sorry Anvilcloud, but on balance I prefer Sue's.
Great photos. I think my brother had everything from our dad. Wonder if my nephew has them now.
This is very interesting.
Coffee is on and stay safe
@Gnome: It's really okay. We weren't having a contest.
The medals are so beautiful. I love both the photos in different ways. I have a few things from my dad. Treasures.
It must be fun sharing photography with Sue! Me an' JB have different notions of hobby!
Post a Comment