John Simpson, internationally renowned reporter from war zones, said, after his 25-year-old Iraqi translator was shot by friendly fire, ‘The only duty I can perform is not to forget.’
It is not much to ask that on one day a year we re-dedicate ourselves to ‘not forgetting’ those who gave us our freedom.
In 2013, as part of the commemoration of the start of World War I, I travelled to Ypres to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate to remember 35 Cobbolds who died in World War I, 13 Cobbolds who died in World War II and 16 men from Framlingham who had accidentally been omitted from their war memorial.
With wreaths from nations around the world and the arresting call of the 8 buglers, it was a profoundly moving ceremony and one I would not have missed ‘for the world.’
The annual ceremony in Ypres has particular importance to family and friends of The Cobbold Family History Trust because the Menin Gate was inaugurated on 24th July 1927 by Field Marshal Lord Plumer (#2546 on our tree) with the now famous words ‘He is not missing. He is here.’ The Menin Gate commemorates all those who have no known grave.
The only duty we can perform is not to forget them.
Anthony Cobbold
