Knox Box of Miscellany

Dawn Knox – A rearranger of words into something hopefully meaningful…

The Sons of Three Countries Remembered 2015

| 0 comments

151108Heiligenhaus8It was a dream come true when ‘The Sons of Three Countries, Remembered’ was performed in Basildon in 2014 as part of the Forget Never, Oublier Jamais, Vergessen Niemals Project.
And I certainly never expected to see it again.
But last Sunday (08 November 2015) it was performed in Basildon’s twin German town of Heiligenhaus. Once again, DOT Productions, directed by Andrew Lindfield and German folk band Fricklesome Amsel took part although this year, there was an adult choir from Heiligenhaus, as well as an adorable choir of six-year olds who sang in English.

 George Burnett

George Burnett

George Burnett on the left - Adam Elliott with Natalie Scotcher, James Le Lacheur and Christopher Walthorne on the right

George Burnett on the left – Adam Elliott with Natalie Scotcher, James Le Lacheur and Christopher Walthorne on the right

Louis Vallin

Louis Vallin

Louis Vallin on the right - Christopher Walthorne with Natalie Scotcher

Louis Vallin on the right – Christopher Walthorne with Natalie Scotcher

Albert Kiekert

Albert Kiekert

Albert Kiekert on the right - James Le Lacheur with Natalie Scotcher

Albert Kiekert on the right – James Le Lacheur with Natalie Scotcher

Reading accounts of the First World War is always an emotional experience but having learned about the three servicemen – the ‘sons of three countries’, I find that I feel I almost know them. George Burnett, from Wickford, Essex, Louis Vallin, from Meaux (Basildon’s twin town in France) and Albert Kiekert from Heiligenhaus are all like family now. And having met the daughter of Louis Vallin and a relative of Albert Kiekert makes the servicemen seem even closer. Sadly, we’ve not managed to find any living relatives of George Burnett.

Left: English sergeant - Andrew Lindfield and German soldier - Adam Elliott, on the right

Left: English sergeant – Andrew Lindfield and German soldier – Adam Elliott, on the right

English sergeant - Andrew Lindfield on the left with English private - Christopher Walthorne on the right

English sergeant – Andrew Lindfield on the left with English private – Christopher Walthorne on the right

I would like to thank everyone involved who made the performance in Heiligenhaus possible. So much hard work went into its realisation and I was thrilled to once again, be part of a tribute to three brave, young men.

Fricklesome Amsel

Fricklesome Amsel

The Singing People

The Singing People

Children's choir

Children’s choir

Lest We Forget.

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *.