Salute the Soldier

Katharine and I had a trip to Malton, some 15 miles north-east of York, yesterday. Our visit was to Eden Camp, the site of a Second World War prisoner of war camp which has been converted to a museum of the war, with displays showing both civilian and military life.

There were many things that caught my interest, but the child's painting in my shot had a very poignant story behind it:-

DONALD BENNETT AGE 9

Donald Bennett lived in a cottage at The Croft, Old Malton, with his mother. They had moved from Hull to escape the Blitz, his father was employed in Hull.

The painting titled "Salute The Soldier" was done at school and entered in the "Malton and Norton District Salute the Soldier competition." He was eight years old at the time and the painting came second.

Tragically four months later he fell into the Derwent river at the Gannock, Old Malton and drowned. He is buried at the churchyard in Malton, an indirect casualty of war.

Ian

[bruni]

Oh that is so sad. I agree with you, Ian this picture does have a very poignant story.

[Camille Bisson]

thank you for sharing this, Ian, fav

[Margaret Obey]

What a poignant story

[essiesue]

The story you shared is so sad. He certainly understood what the war was all about as evidenced by his artwork. So sad!

[Lynne Hart]

Such a sad and tragic story, good choice of subject to reflect your day out.

[bkb in the city]

Sad story but how wonderful that this there to keep his memory alive

[Ivan]

Lovely painting but sad story. I guess he wasn't used to the countryside and its hazards.

[Denise fuller]

Sad story but what a beautiful picture for him to be remembered by

[Cathie]

Sweet and sad story, Ian. There can be casualties beyond those we first think of. Thanks for posting.

[Julia]

Emotive art. Sad story. Thank you for sharing

[gloria jones]

Wonderful shot, tragic story.

[Pyrrhula]

Lovely child drawing , sad tragic story.

[Richard Sayer]

Eight year olds shouldn't die... and certainly not as a war casualty... even if indirect. Very poignant Ian.

[Dennis]

Thanks for bringing Donald's art and his tragic fate to our attention.

[Molly]

What a poignant story. Donald's picture and his story sum up the horror of war.

[Fisher Family]

@bruni @catsmeowb @ceilidh @essiesue @lhart @bkbinthecity @ivan @denisefuller @cathieg @juliac @seattlite @pyrrhula @vignouse @boomer @dolphin

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. There were many things of interest at Eden Camp, but the sad story of this one child who died really touched my heart. Why oh why don't we finally realise the full horror of war and seek to bring it to an end?

Ian

[Lynne Hart]

@fishers here, here Ian totally agree with your comment.