|
"Dear
Maggie,
What you
have accomplished through The Dover War Memorial Project is to raise the
dead.
The generous
consequences of your single mindedness have done much to give breath to the
almost forgotten memories of 1914. The tissue of folly that wrapped [my
great uncle] and all the others in an early grave now has some kinder
edges.
Your
presentation offers a memory of them that is lightened and refreshed. On the
screen [he] looks younger, stares out stronger, and is not dulled by the
musty smell of old photographs. The hopeful promise of the day that they
entered that conflict with, has somehow returned to them."
*
We've been overwhelmed by the
warm-heartedness and enthusiasm of the relatives
of casualties and the very many other interested people to whom we've
spoken. Here are just a few more of the many kind remarks that we've
received.
"We've waited so long to have
a remembrance – thank you."
"What a great site - congratulations!
"
"My thanks goes very much to both of you for all the
information you’ve given me on my uncle and I really do appreciate it. I
think it’s extremely kind of the pair of you. Thank you very much indeed."
"Thank you for finding this.
I had no idea there was a grave …. I do enjoy your ‘phone calls, you always
have something interesting to say."
"I was looking forward to
the post arriving today, but what was inside exceeded all my expectations …I
am so grateful for what you have managed to do. I didn't even realise that
this type of information was available."
"Have located your project
and am overwhelmed at what you have taken on."
"It really makes me proud to
think these men are getting the recognition that they deserve. Thank you for
all your efforts."
"I go and look at your
website every day."
"What a wonderful tribute you and your
colleagues have achieved for Dover and
its people. I must say that it did
bring
tears to my eyes reading the
stories, and I was not aware of the great number of civilian casualties."
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. As
a small child I was shown my grandfather’s name on the war memorial, and
that was really all it meant to me, just a name. Now after 55 years I am
beginning to know the man. I am most grateful. I wish you all the best for
your Project."
 "Many thanks for the wonderful information you have
given me. It’s all what I wanted to know. Thank you once again, good luck in
your Project. It’s a wonderful boost for Dover. No other town can beat us on
this one."
"I've just looked at your web site and added it to my favourites."
"I am quite delighted to think this will happen and
my uncle will not be forgotten."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my
evening with you!"
"As Maggie is a Dovorian this project is understandably
close to her own heart. The accuracy, dedication, and professionalism of the
work carried out by Maggie and Simon has been very impressive, and they are
delightful people to meet."
"Thank you so much for your most welcome and interesting
letter. Also all the information you sent.".
"What a good morning we had.
Do come and visit again soon."
"You are welcome to visit us
any time!"
 "Thanks for putting so much
effort into the project."
"Thank you. I am over the moon. This is my Father. I knew nothing of this
incident, How did you ever pick it out? It was very kind of you?"
"Please come in and see us
when you can, we really enjoyed the evening."
That’s amazing news about
my great granddad. That’s really exciting and interesting!
"Thank you so very much for the information you sent to
me about my great great grandfather. I wish you well with the Project and
would like to send a donation towards the costs."
"I will be interested in the progress
of the War Memorial Project and if I can help in any way, please ask."
"Thank you for the documents regarding my great uncle. I
have sent copies of everything to my two cousins abroad. Thank you for all
the trouble you have taken in sending them to me. They mean a great deal and
I do appreciate it very much."
"Thank you for looking into my ancestors. I have learnt
a lot I didn’t know."
"Many thanks for you letter, with the details you have
managed to find about my uncle. I am most grateful, as I had assumed he had
no known grave. Every year I place a cross in the Field of Remembrance."
 "Thank you for all the information you have given me
this year on my relatives which I really do appreciate. You and your team
have worked really hard on giving Dover people information on their
relatives, you have all done a first class job."
"A worthwhile cause."
"Thank you for you speedy
reply and may I say what a lovely letter you wrote. Thank you."
"Your project is magnificent - I can only imagine the
hours of work that must go into it - but such a worthwhile thing to do."
I do wish you well with the
whole project
"I have been onto the
Memorial web site and found it great. I liked the comment about my great
uncle!"
"Thanks again Maggie for your caring approach to our lost ancestors."
"I got the site up and had a look and it’s absolutely
gorgeous. There’s so much on there, it’s lovely, and I sat and read all the
way through, and I thought, isn’t it so sad. It is really lovely, I hope you
are going to do a book. congratulations on all you
have done, and are doing, for the WarMemorial project."
You have done a terrific job
in setting up and ensuring that the Memorial page looks really effective.
"What a great website."
"If it wasn't for your research, I would never have known
the face of my great grandfather (who looks strikingly like my father - his
grandson!). Not only that but I have found a great great uncle and a cousin
on the site as well!"
"I do hope you will agree to advise
us on our memorial."
 "Many thanks for all your
hard work and the information you have sent on."
"Thank you so much for the
burial info. That
answers a big query. I really appreciate you having taken the trouble to
visit his grave. Mum was also very touched to think you had gone to so much
trouble - and of course thank you for the photos"
"Thank you for your very prompt and fascinating reply...Many thanks for your
information confirming that we have discovered a new great uncle. My family
are totally amazed after all these years that we have gained a relation."
"At the funeral the vicar said we
should pray for all who those never returned home and we should remember
them - straight away I thought of you -- I felt so proud to know someone who
is doing just that - you are so caring and doing such a fantastic job."
"I’m glad there’s somebody like you doing this."
"Your continued attention to
my research needs is greatly appreciated and I understand the extensive time
involved in assisting me. Your dedication to ensuring that the community is
aware of details of those names on the memorial who died for their country
is a valuable public service."
Pictures from top
to bottom:
1. Battle of Britain Memorial - 24" by 18", framed, painted by a
correspondent
2. Items from a Belgian battlefield, cartridges, with a modern cartridge for
comparison
3. Great War medals, awarded to a 2nd Lieutenant
4. Items collected from a Belgian battlefield, shrapnel, cartridges, and
note especially the shirt button
5. Great War medals, awarded to a Captain
6. Peace souvenir medal, from a family collection |
