Mumsnet users share the things they’re grateful to the First World War generation for with The Royal British Legion

[JustineBMumsnet]

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In light of the 100 year anniversary of the end of WW1, The Royal British Legion would like to hear about the ways you’re grateful for those who served, sacrificed and changed our world.

Do you have an appreciation for the incredible women who helped change women’s role in society, leading many more women to work in jobs outside the home? Are you grateful for the medical advances that were made out of necessity that benefit so many today, like plastic surgery and blood banks? Or perhaps you’re grateful for product innovation like the wristwatch, teabags or sanitary towels? Maybe you’d like to thank the children who took on extra responsibilities like helping MI5, even though it meant they grew up too fast?

If you’d like to find out more about the contributions made 100 years ago, please click here.

See what Mumsnet Co-Founder Justine Roberts is thankful for below:

If you have any family stories or photos that make you feel grateful for your ancestors of 100 years ago, please feel free to share these below.

All who post below will be entered into a Mumsnet prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I am grateful for their bravery and the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedom

I am grateful for the effort put in by women across the land to keep the country afloat. They had no choice and neither did the men who went to war. In fact, no one, male or female, of any nationality involved had a real choice. War is always a tragedy, created by the will of a few.

I am thankful for their courage, to carry on going into the front line when they knew increasingly over the months that their odds of survival were tiny. I think of Vera Brittain and an elderly lady I used to visit as a secondary school child who lost all the men in their lives, and in the case of the lady I knew, never met anyone else or went onto have a family. I wonder what the world would be like if that generation of the world’s youths hadn’t been destroyed - how many interventions didn’t happen, what great art we don’t have because they died.

Im grateful to those that fought to give us freedom, I used to work in a Royal British Legion social club, and the veterans used to come in, I served them with honour, If it wasnt for them we wouldnt be living the way we do today.

The medical advances that were made during WW1 have helped the entire world be where we are today in so mnay different areas

All those people who understood sacrifice, loss, responsibly and duty.

A great, if very tragic, example to today's generation who only understand rights, wants and entitlements.

I'm grateful for my freedom every day. My grandfather fought in the Great War, and although I don't remember him, I remember my mum talking about the hole in his knee he had to live with - as children it was a treat to stick their finger in the hole!

I'm grateful that he came back, when so many didn't.

To be honest i'm grateful for everything that has improved everyones lives since then. I couldn't pick one specific thing.

I’m grateful for freedom

Im grateful for all of the men, women and animals who lost their lives so we could have ours !

I'm grateful for each and every person who fought for our freedom.

Apart from the obvious sacrifices they made, I'm always amazed by the way they conducted themselves with pride and decency. We could all learn from them.

We owe so much to those who give their freedom for ours. I'm grateful I can speak my opinion without fear of persecution. I am grateful that differences are celebrated.

In a word, freedom.

I'm amazed how the older generation who lived through the first world war show such solidarity and respect to all those they fought with so that their memories live on and they pass this onto the younger generation by retelling the stories so we can get a glimmer of their sacrifices

IM grateful for them giving up their freedom to give us our freedom today

I'm grateful for their courage.Its heartbreaking my great uncle was killed at the age of 20 1st July 1916 Battle of The Somme.On his little brother's birthday xx

I am grateful for their bravery.

Imagine knowing that you didnt want to go to war, but had to fight and you knew you were going to die?

I am grateful to those that gave their life.

I am also grateful to those who lost their limbs, lost their hearing or sight, and those that lost their minds.

I am also grateful to those who went without, did their duty, worked extremely hard, to those that saved lives, and to those that lost their loved ones.

I am grateful that we live in a country of free speech, of human rights, of justice and democracy. We didnt get this for free, war is horrific, a waste of valuable life, and its our previous generations who have paid the price.

I always hold hope that one day there will be no more war, no more lives wasted and torn apart, but I dont think I will see it in my lifetime.

I am grateful to all those who fought for our freedom, many of them will never know how much we have to thank them for.

Simply they gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Greatest respect for anyone who has fought in any war.x

so grateful for all the soldiers who fought and lost their lives so people like us can be free today! My great grandfather fought in the war. His bravery always astounds me x

I am grateful to the whole generation, I cannot imagine one of my children leaving in those times to go and fight, the pride and worry must have been so over whelming, so,
I am grateful to all the mums and dads who raised their kids to be so proud of their country that they answered the call to sign up.
I am grateful to all the parents who never got to hold their child again.
I am grateful to those children who saw an injustice and signed up and were sent to foreign lands and fought for future generations freedom.
I am grateful to each and every one.

I am grateful for everything. The world would be a different place if they hadn't fought for our freedom

For their sacrifice and loyalty to our nation