What a busy year 2014 was, particularly with the many commemorations in the area of the outbreak of the First World War, or the Great War, as many knew it.
The war that altered Britain in many ways and lost us the youth of our great land. The war will continue to be remembered for the next four years as its history unfolds. But let us look at the coming year, which will be dominated by the Magna Carta Liberatum or the Great Charter of the Liberties of England.
On June 15, 1215, King John affixed his seal to the document, which attempted to negotiate a peace between the unpopular king and a number of the barons. Among its many provisions it promised to protect the Church rights, to protect the Barons from illegal imprisonment and limit the feudal payments to the Crown. It remains the basis of the British Constitution.
An interesting point is that one of those present was the Lord Mayor of London, William Hardell, such was the standing of the city even in those days. As we all know, the sealing took place in the meads of Runnymede, but exactly where has been lost in the mists of time. hether it was beside the Thames or on the Island as some claim, we do not know. The king in procession made his way out from Windsor and the barons from Staines for the ceremony.
I am glad that the idea of the king signing the document has at long last been dropped by some who should have known better. It is recorded that on the way back to London the Barons and their retinue camped on Hounslow Heath and made merry with feasting and jousting. The only remaining four copies of the Magna Carta are being reunited and will be on show at the British Library from March 13 next year.
Another significant date is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, which took place on Sunday, June 18 1815 near the little town of Waterloo, in Belgium. The battle was between the French, under Napoleon Bonaparte, and the combined troops of Duke of Wellington and the Prussian Army, under Gebhard von Blucher.
Wellington was said to have remarked it was the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life, so close was the allied victory. Waterloo signified the end of Napoleon’s rule as Emperor of the French.
Another significant date is 1865, when the last shot was made in the America Civil War on June 22 of that year, after four years conflict in which 600,000 Americans lost their lives. The greatest outcome was the abolition of slavery.
It is also the centenary year of the RAF airfield at Northolt in nearby Hillingdon, which first opened in March 1915 and became operational in June of that year making it even older that the RAF itself. Aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps flew from here for the defence of London from Zeppelin raids, which was to be repeated in World War Two. It was the base for the legendary Polish 303 Squadron and their Spitfire aircraft.
The Battle of Britain will be commemorated by the RAF. It took place 75 years ago and brought Winson Churchill to make his memorable ‘this was their finest hour’ speech the same year.
In May 1945, 70 years ago, this country celebrated the end of the war in Europe, which I am sure will still be in the minds and memories of our older readers. VE day was celebrated far and wide here and overseas.
The is plenty to celebrate in the coming year, so may I wish all readers and friends a very happy and healthy 2015.
