Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Some people seem to forget exactly what a hero is these days, but what about you. Who is/are your heroes? why?
For me and not necessarily in order:
Winston S Churchill - the 'greatest ever Englishman' the great figure of the 20th century who inspired this country to win a war.
The Duke of Wellington - the general who almost always fought his battles against great odds in the Peninsula campaign and did not lose. He was ahead of his time too in his attitude to his men despite (admiringly) once calling them the scum of the earth.
Admiral Lord Nelson - our greatest sailor, again a man who inspired those who fought for him and was ahead of his time.
Sir Frances Drake - a legend of Elizabeth 1st time, the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, the scrouge of the Spanish.
General Slim - of the 'forgotten army' who was one of our greatest generals of WW2 fighting with great distinction in the Far East who must not be forgotten.
General B Montgomery - the victor of El Alamain, the battle before which we never won (apart from the BofB) and after which we never lost. OK his contribution to that battle was exaggerated but he was respected and trusted by his men and he inspired their loyalty with his charisma.
Private Beharry VC - representing all in today's Armed Forces who are giving so much in Iraq and Afghanistan, all heroes of today.
Note something common between most of these (applicable to all in many ways) is the word 'inspire' because that is what they have all done.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
why is that bertrand ramsey is not prominent in the history books?
all those people he brought back from the french beaches.
dragged out of retirement to do so.
not many people through the ages with such a cool head and brilliant organisational brain.
he is never mentioned locally, except for his statue up at the castle, and of course, the wartime tunnels.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
A good one howard.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
henry alingham,the fore father of the royal airforce,and a true gentleman.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
trouble is. there are so many, i am trying to concentrate locally.
our late friend jack hewitt drove an ambulance around dover during the shelling, rescued many, must be worth a mention.
i remember reading somewhere about a lady doctor(not many then), up at buckland during the war, operating night and day on survivors of the normandy landings.
does anyone remember her name.?
My Hero: My Dad, God rest him.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
howard - Gertrude Toland. There are quite a few of us, including me, who owe our existence to her.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,701
No one person
But every ordinary person who stands up to tyranny, speaks out against abuse of power, stands up to bullies and thugs, campaigns for fair treatment etc.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
well done maggie!!
have you any more info on her, did she just disappear into obscurity like so many of her ilk?
stiff upper lip, and all that.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
From "Dover at War 1939-45":
Can we judge the spirit of the townspeople, given so willingly, by just one person? Dr Gertrude M.B. Toland, F.R.C.S., at Dover throughout the war, is remembered for the long hours spent in the operating theatre, working tirelessly dealing with the many victims of the evacuation period. Somehow, her sterling services rendered to Dunkirk survivors and later to Dover people, was never given official recognition.
From "Hellfire Corner":
Within four months of arriving with Motor Gun Boat 331 at Dover, Harold Clay was lying wounded in Buckland Hospital........"The Dover people were quite wonderful, they accepted me into their homes and shared their meagre food rations with me. It was Dr. Gertrude Toland who operated on my leg in August 1942 and I am quite sure that she saved it from amputation."
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Ross
I think your right, there are so many heroes throughout time, locally and nationally to many to mention, im with ross's thoughts on this one
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
edith cavell and the unknown warriour,nurse and solder both brought through dover as heros.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
Gertrude Toland 1901 to 1985. She was also involved in research.
Heroes ... how about: Nancy Wake, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Elizabeth I (and, arguably, Anne Boleyn), Edith Johncock, Elsie Knocker and Mairi Gooden-Chisholm, Elizabeth Fry, Mary Seacole, Millicent Fawcett, Amy Johnson and other ATA'rs. But as Ross said, there are many heroes and heroines, and amongst them I can think of the unsung bravery of a Great War widow in Dover who struggled every day to support her young children and keep them together. There were so many like her but most have no commemoration, save the loving memories of their families.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Lots of good selections I see, glad to see no sportmen/women or vacuous so called celebs listed!!!
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Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
My hero is my grandad Ernie William Bromfield - no man has ever quite matched up to him!!
I also support the un-sung heroes of our armed forces, the ones that slip quietly in the back door of Brize Norton with no ceremonial parades and quietly resume their lives.
Years after every conflict soldiers from The Royal Engineers are still being killed clearing unmapped mine fields while the media has moved on.
These guys are heroes just as much as the Infantry guys that are out in the current conflict.
Sheli xx
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Bromfield, Sheli. No decendent of the second in command at Rorke's Drift by any chance?
Sid Pollitt
I see someone is trying to take the shine off Sheli's post [we British all know that the second in command at Rorke's Drift was Lt Gonville Bromhead].
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Ordinary everyday people who have illness or disabilities and never complain. Firemen, doctors, ambulance crews, soildiers. The unsung hero's who try to make a difference.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Thanks for correcting that Sid - Bromhead instead of Bromfield - pity you cant do so in a civil manner.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Too many heroes...going diametrically against The Stranglers' dictum.
Off the top of me 'ead: Winston Churchill, Henry Allingham, Harry Patch, Frank Worthington, Bjorn Borg, Spike Milligan, David Leworthy, Chris Kinnear, Andy Hessenthaler, Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach.
You guys!