The 9th Annual Veterans Day hosted by Steve McCabe MP saw Veterans and students come together to talk about passed conflicts and remember those who gave their lives in the Battle of the Somme.
100 years has passed since the Battle of the Somme fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916. Over a million British, French and German Soldiers Died. 1 July 1916 remains the bloodiest day in British military history which saw 57,470 casualties and almost 20,000 of whom were killed.
Every year Steve McCabe MP and Swanshurst Girls School come together to organiseVeterans’ Day for a day of thanks, learning and oral history. Veterans from Selly Oak constituency and across Birmingham come to Swanshurst to pass on their stories and memories to the students.
The event includes the production of a commemorative booklet which this year was sponsored by Birmingham Airport.
Steve McCabe MP said:
“It was a real honour and pleasure to welcome Veterans to our ninth Veterans Day. It is particularly poignant this year as we mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and are once again reminded of the huge sacrifices that previous generations have made for us.
“It is vital that we never forget the contribution made and the hardship endured by those who have had to live through conflict. It is a joy each year to see our young students and veterans engaging with each other. It is so important that personal memories are shared and passed on to the next generation, history shouldn’t just be learnt from textbooks.
“I would like to say a special thank you to Swanshurst School for all their hard work. I would also like to thank our sponsors Birmingham Airport, without their support we could not hold such a successful day. Thank you also to Pipe Major Robert Gardner from the West Midlands Fire Service Pipe Band, Moseley Round Table and TOA taxis for their continued support.”
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