Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day and Heroes

nattcallai Mayıs 27, 2022

The Victoria Cross

11.11.11

Remembrance Day is a special day for us. We thank all veterans and service personnel. We also thank and remember my father-in-law Col. Fred Tilston VC. The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various
Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories. The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. Since then, the medal has been awarded approximately 1,356 times.

Col. F.A. Tilston, VC

Dad as I called him was one of the most unselfish people I have met. He was extremely disciplined and maintained a positive attitude. He loved life and loved to laugh. He introduced me to opera. An avid reader and public speaker. A Pharmacist by profession. One year to the date from his war injury, he was back walking and at his desk at Sterling Drug. He was fluent in French and attended French classes weekly, on retirement. At age 80 he returned to high school and took Grade 13 math to simply see if he could keep up with current teachings. He graduated and had tremendous respect for his fellow classmates. Each year, we spent ten days in Arizona at a working ranch, which essentially was room, board and a horse. Dad decided to take up horseback riding when he was 75 yrs of age. He rode for many years on a large horse named Dan. (he lost both legs and one eye in 1945) One of his favourite comments was "you walk up here, pointing to his head and when one is fitted with proper fitting prosthesis, there is no reason not to walk and live life to the fullest " He walked with the aid of a cane, drove right up until the end and never, ever used handicapped parking. He abhorred people who wallow in self pity and said to the press one time "when one feels sorry for themselves, take a visit to the Burn Unit of your local hospital.

Col. Fred Tilston, Helen Tilston and HRH The Queen Mother at St James Palace(my sweater I designed and knitted for occasion)

At the Throne Room, Buckingham Palace, HRH The Queen, Col Fred Tilston, Helen Tilston

Every two years the Victoria Cross Association and the Royal Family invite the VC's to London for one week. This is a most memorable time with an heavy itinerary which includes high tea with the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, St. James Palace and a memorial service at St. Martin in the Fields, complete with choir conducted by Sir Neville Mariner. At the end of the service, the "Last Post" is played by two trumpeters posted to the balcony. We have accompanied Dad through the years and have beautiful memories of these occasions.