- Contributed by
- A7431347
- People in story:
- Peter Rothschild
- Location of story:
- Westminster Abbey
- Article ID:
- A4386783
- Contributed on:
- 07 July 2005
This story was submitted to the peoples war site by Craig from ST Nicholas C of E Primary School in New Romney Kent and has been added to the website on behalf of Peter Rothschild with his permission and they fully understand the site’s terms and conditions.
I was still too young in 1942 to join the army and so I joined the 91ȱ Guard. I had the honour of being selected as one of four to guard the unknown warrior in Westminster Abby on the eleventh of November. I am Jewish and as I stood there “resting on my arms reseved” my thoughts turned to my grandfather who in WW1 had served in the German army as a regular and had won the Iron cross, of which he was very proud. He had been a good patriotic German fighting for his Kaiser. Some years later, as a Jew, he was murdered by the Nazis! Here I was, on the “other side”, soon to go to war against the Germans. As I stood there, motionless, I reflected on the irony of the situation and the utter futility and stupidly of war.
© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo