To mark Remembrance Day the Army Cadet Force wants to celebrate the individual people who've played a part in defending the UK, or supporting our troops, in armed conflicts over the last 100 years.
We’re asking people to tell us about those special individuals through our Facebook and Twitter#MyRemembrance campaign. Join the campaign by sharing your story and an image of a family member, friend or someone famous and telling us how their sacrifice, during times of armed conflict, inspired you.
If you do not have Facebook or Twitter account but would still like to get involved you can email your story to marketing@armycadets.com and the ACF will upload your remembrance.
To kick off the campaign two of the ACF’s adult instructors tell us who they are remembering…
Capt Emma Snead, Sussex ACF
I am remembering my Great Uncle Frederick William Mullinex who was born in 1898 and died in France just a few weeks before Armistice Day. Fred joined the army as a volunteer reservist on 20 July 1917 and was drafted into the Royal Volunteer Naval Reserve (Hood Battalion).
[Fred as a young boy and OS RNVR Frederick Mullinex’s service record]
The history of the RNVR during WW1 is fascinating – sailors were sent to the trenches as infantry and expected to fight as soldiers. The RNVR’s many battalions were largely untrained in infantry tactics but they saw some of the fiercest battles.
Fred died of gunshot wounds to the arm and head on 28 September 1918, as his battalion took part in an attack aimed at advancing on Cambrai. I’ve always known that Fred was buried on the Somme and I first went out to ‘see’ him, in Sunken Road Cemetery, near Arras about 15 years ago. I’ve returned several times since then. On all but one occasion the weather has been dreadful and I always think about those men and the conditions they endured.
Fred’s brother George is now 93 and the fact that he’s still with us means that Fred isn’t some distant ancestor and I feel very connected to him. When naming my son three years ago, I chose William George (after his two great great uncles). I fully intend to ensure he continues the memory of these men as he gets older.
Emma’s Great Uncle Fred was remembered at the Tower of London on 9 October. Here is the official video, their names are read at 12:45 and it’s worth watching to the end for the last post and the reaction from the crowd, watch the video here.
PI Kate Knight, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland ACF
I am remembering my Great Great Grandfather, Private William Munton, who was born in Lambeth, London in 1875. William died in Flanders on 28 July 1916 at the age of 40, leaving behind a wife and five children.
[Private William Munton’s service record , Private William Munton’s memorial Scroll]
William enlisted in the Army Service Corps in September 1915 and joined the Base Motor Transport Depot (BMTD). On 15 July 1916 he was posted to the 1st Water Tank Company to join the British expeditionary force in Flanders. Just over a week later, he sustained a gunshot wound which ‘shattered’ his right leg and, on 28 July, he died of his wounds and was laid to rest at Warloy-Baillon, France.
I’m so very proud of William and I’d have loved to know more about him, to put a face to his name and find out more about his personality. Although I’d met one of William’s five daughters (my Aunt Ethel) a few times as a child it wasn’t until a couple of years ago (after her death) that I started to find out more about him by researching my family history online. Now I know where he is, it is my aim to go over to France to visit his resting place, in the not too distant future.
Having a family with a long line of military connections I always, from a young age, had a great interest in military history and found it fascinating to listen to family stories. I have a young family of my own, so being a volunteer with the ACF allows me to contribute in many ways on a local scale, whilst carrying on a military-themed family tradition. I feel a sense of closeness to the servicemen in my family who I have never had the chance to meet. Getting involved in Op Reflect (the Army's national approach to WW1 commemorations), and making a short video for a local war hero, has allowed me to focus on and express my gratitude for the sacrifices people like Pte William Munton have made.
We sharined your posts throughout the campaign on both Facebook and Twitter.
You can find a compilation of your stories here.
If you're inspired by #MyRemembrance and are interested in becoming a cadet or adult volunteer with us or would like to find out more, click on one of the links below:
