 |  My grandfather, John James McEachern, shown in the photo to the left circa 1895 and as an adult in the photo to the right, fought in WWI as an infantryman with the Canadian Corps. He was shot on the third day of the 2nd Battle of Cambrai - one of the bloodiest battles fought by Canadian soldiers. I can't even begin to imagine the horror, the fear he experienced when he was shot in the right shoulder. His lung collapsed, his shoulder blade shattered ....waiting to be rescued amid the carnage. In the first six days of this battle, more than 13,600 Canadians were injured or died. More than 30,000 Canadians died or were injured during the 15 days of this battle. |
He was one of the lucky ones. He was hospitalised in England and was finally deemed well enough to be shipped back to a hospital in Halifax nearly 9 months later.
As a result of his injuries, his right shoulder had limited range of movement. This injury directly contributed to his death in 1929. His half-brother, Joseph Wilfred McEachern, was digging a well when he was overcome by natural gas in the well. John James went into the well to rescue his younger brother. Unable to pull them both out, he died alongside his brother, leaving behind a wife and 5 young children ranging in age from 3 to 9 years old.
As a result of his injuries, his right shoulder had limited range of movement. This injury directly contributed to his death in 1929. His half-brother, Joseph Wilfred McEachern, was digging a well when he was overcome by natural gas in the well. John James went into the well to rescue his younger brother. Unable to pull them both out, he died alongside his brother, leaving behind a wife and 5 young children ranging in age from 3 to 9 years old.
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His son, my uncle Gerard Joseph McEachern, was not lucky enough to return home. He served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His plane was shot down over the North Sea on May 19, 1943. His name is recorded at the Runnymede memorial in Surrey, UK. Just one of 20,000 airmen, 3,050 of whom were Canadians, whose bodies were never recovered.
I am struck by the difference in these two photos. The youthful innocence in the photo on the left, and the weariness in the photo on the right.
I can't even begin to imagine what these two young men experienced: one in "The Great War" otherwise known as "The War to End All Wars", and the second in World War II, barely more than two decades later.
Wars continue to be fought. Young lives continue to be lost. Families continue to mourn. It is important to remember their sacrifice - not only on November 11th of each year, but every single day. If history does not teach the human race the necessary lessons, we are bound to be caught in a repeated cycle of bloodshed, loss and heartbreak until we do learn.
I am struck by the difference in these two photos. The youthful innocence in the photo on the left, and the weariness in the photo on the right.
I can't even begin to imagine what these two young men experienced: one in "The Great War" otherwise known as "The War to End All Wars", and the second in World War II, barely more than two decades later.
Wars continue to be fought. Young lives continue to be lost. Families continue to mourn. It is important to remember their sacrifice - not only on November 11th of each year, but every single day. If history does not teach the human race the necessary lessons, we are bound to be caught in a repeated cycle of bloodshed, loss and heartbreak until we do learn.
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