Trench Art + Remembrance Sunday

It's remembrance Sunday today. Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom honours the heroic efforts, achievements and sacrifices that were made in past wars. I wasn't planning on blogging, but I received something this week which I'd really like to share with you, and especially today, of all days. Yesterday a relative of mine sent me some 'Trench Art' that that has been passed down through the family. It was made in the trenches during the First World War. To be quite honest with you, I had know idea what Trench Art even was, I wasn't aware of it's existence! These beautiful objects were made by soldiers, many of which were often crafted out of old shell casings. 

Some are plain and carry inscriptions on the base (mine are dated 1916 and 1917) and some have decorative scenes inspired by the soldiers surroundings. I don't know what the words mean on the bottom, could DEZ be the makers name? does it relate to where they were posted? I'd really like to know. These belonged to my relatives grandmother, and both of her brothers fought in World War 1, perhaps they were made by them?

I sat there staring at these pieces for sometime, and I was so moved by them, their journey, the life of the man that made them, and I was struck by how something so beautiful can be crafted out of something so utterly destructive. But out of darkness comes light .... and while I'm eternally grateful to the fallen soldiers who fought to make my existence a peaceful one, my heart goes out to the men, women and children across the globe who are falling still. In such times I take comfort in the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi.

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall — think of it, always." Mahatma Gandhi

JM x