I have just read the story of Lance Corporal William Harold Coltman, a pacifist serving in WW1 who became the most decorated British soldier of the conflict.
A group of unlucky 'Tommies' with little hope of survival without medical attention; too badly wounded to walk or even crawl away from the enemy guns, were completely pinned down by enemy fire. The situation meant that any rescue attempt would sacrifice more lives.
Coltman heard about the wounded so he ventured out alone to save as many as he possibly could. Somehow he crawled to the men, patching up wounds the best he could before hauling individual soldiers back to the British lines. Coltman returned to face further machine gun and shellfire again, searching the valley until he found another injured soldier and carried him back. Miraculously dodging bullets, he returned with more crippled infantrymen. For 48-hours he kept up those amazing efforts, until finally, exhausted, he lay down to rest. His bravery resulted in a Victoria Cross, a medal he won without ever firing his rifle.
When such good men deserve a special mention on Remembrance Sunday, I find it odd that we almost never hear of brave pacifists doing what conscience compelled them to do during Wartime.
First time I was moved by this was in an RSL bar in a small country town i Australia. Every evening everything stopped and this came over the pa. It was taken very seriously and non veterans appreciated their service folk.
Those of us who remain rational an normal will remember and appreciate - meanwhile the woke will denigrate their memory and memorials.
ReplyDeleteI have just read the story of Lance Corporal William Harold Coltman, a pacifist serving in WW1 who became the most decorated British soldier of the conflict.
ReplyDeleteA group of unlucky 'Tommies' with little hope of survival without medical attention; too badly wounded to walk or even crawl away from the enemy guns, were completely pinned down by enemy fire. The situation meant that any rescue attempt would sacrifice more lives.
Coltman heard about the wounded so he ventured out alone to save as many as he possibly could. Somehow he crawled to the men, patching up wounds the best he could before hauling individual soldiers back to the British lines. Coltman returned to face further machine gun and shellfire again, searching the valley until he found another injured soldier and carried him back. Miraculously dodging bullets, he returned with more crippled infantrymen. For 48-hours he kept up those amazing efforts, until finally, exhausted, he lay down to rest. His bravery resulted in a Victoria Cross, a medal he won without ever firing his rifle.
When such good men deserve a special mention on Remembrance Sunday, I find it odd that we almost never hear of brave pacifists doing what conscience compelled them to do during Wartime.
First time I was moved by this was in an RSL bar in a small country town i Australia. Every evening everything stopped and this came over the pa.
ReplyDeleteIt was taken very seriously and non veterans appreciated their service folk.
"...meanwhile the woke will denigrate their memory and memorials."
ReplyDeleteWhile the Met stand by and watch 🥵
"...I find it odd that we almost never hear of brave pacifists doing what conscience compelled them to do during Wartime."
Time and a place, MTG1. Time and a place...
"It was taken very seriously and non veterans appreciated their service folk."
The good old days!