World War I monuments in Berlin

How history is perceived depends upon how a society is impacted by it. Although the German army collapsed at the end of the First World War in 1918 and the country was subsequently forced to surrender, monuments to soldiers are more acceptable than from the Second World War. Nevertheless, such monuments are not often easily found and tend to be in obscure places. I find it interesting that they regularly do not portray heroic soldiers scaling barbed wire.

Triariis Bello Occisis

On a small street adjacent to Zoologischer Garten train station, Jebenstrasse, the Triariis Bello Occisis Monument honors fallen reserve soldiers and officers of the army.  It is as if the statue sits behind the station because it is on the opposite side of the main square. The monument is away from the gaze of tourists and travelers. Knowing the background to the Latin phrase makes the monument all the more interesting and poignant. The monument is designed to honor third-tiered soldiers (hence the derivation of the word triarii), the last and most decisive portion of the army, generally made up of the oldest and most experienced troops. They were seen as the last resort.

Not too far away, the monument to the Faithful Dead of the XXII Reserve Corps stands in front of the main building of the Universität der Kunst on Bundesalle. Yet again, although more readily visible the monument is away from the normal tourist track. The soldiers are honored, just not ostentatiously.

Universität der Kunst

It is sometimes difficult for American students to understand that the outcomes of war do not always have the same meaning for everyone. Being on the losing side of a war demands a different type of memorialization. Countries that were occupied (as you will see in coming posts), often have different types of monuments and memorials. But certainly, not every society sees war as noble or normal.

Collège Anne Frank

It is symbolic to name schools after people whose traits and attributes the society admires. Often schools in the United States are named in honor of presidents and governors; thus it is interesting to consider individuals who have been honored by a named school in other countries. On rue Trosseau (in the 11th arrondissement) the Collège Anne Frank sits on an otherwise nondescript street in Paris.

Although her book remains a controversial work in some quarters, for many of us Anne Frank is the epitome of bravery in the face of monstrous evil and mortal danger, as well as an excellent writer whose talents went unfulfilled. Although it has been years since I have read The Diary of Anne Frank, when I occasionally come across a passage of the book I am always amazed by the poise and sophistication of her writing. The book delves into subjects and depths that are rarely considered by many. It is amazing to think that the words and thoughts of this young woman of Amsterdam are so profound. (See the only known footage of Anne Frank here)

A plaque on the front of the school reminds the reader to remember and recall the Jewish students of the school who were deported and ultimately died in concentration camps. In all, the plaque reveals, about 1200 students from the arrondissement died at the hands of the Nazis and with the collaboration of the Vichy regime. 

The First Shopping Mall?

The Galleries Royal Saint Hubert, located in central Brussels near the Grand Place, is the precursor to the modern shopping mall. Inaugurated in 1847, the galleries were a fashionable setting for shopping and gathering in the mid-to-late nineteenth century Brussels. Originally, Saint Hubert was designed to link two commercial districts and its glass and steel architecture lured shoppers in even when the weather in Belgian was not so good.  Since its opening the gallery has been the home of boutiques and luxurious shops. Particularly in the early days of its existence, the gallery was the home of newspaper editors, artistic clubs, as well as high-end retail shops, therefore it quickly became a gathering place for elites and intellectuals.

The convergence of modernity, intellectualism and beauty helped to create the idea of the importance of shopping to modern consumer culture. The motto of Saint Hubert, “Omnibus Omnia” (Everything for Everybody), assures the patron that everything that they might possibly want or need, materially and spiritually, can be obtained within the premise of the shopping experience. It even suggests that if you do not know what you need, the shops inside will help you identify what you might need. This is an example of the development of modern culture where, moving away from the traditional society, the person can be seemingly be fulfilled outside the realm of religion. That is, shopping provides everything one might need.

One of the most significant events, at least from my perspective, that took place in the galleries was on 1 March 1896 when the Lumiere Brothers screened their cinematic program for the first time in Belgium. It was just a mere two months following their initial Paris exhibition (28 December 1895), which was the first public performance of moving pictures ever projected on the screen. Although I need to do more research, it seems that the cinema located in the Royal Gallery might have been the first cinema to include paying customers rather than invited guests. 

Station Jim

When most people think of British history, it usually revolves around famous historical people, kings and queens, nobility and war and/or conflict. What does not come to minds of most is a taxidermy dog who died over a century ago. Nevertheless, adjacent to track 5 near the ladies room, at Slough Central Train Station, stands Station Jim. He steadfastly watches people coming and going on the tack that is reserved for the London train. Jim, much like he did a century ago, continues to collect coins for a charitable fund.

He was about four months old when he began collecting coins for the Great Western Railway Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund. He was said to be in bad health and only collected coins for two years. But those two years must have been memorable. Jim would do tricks, play leap frog with boys and generally charm passengers in the station. Apparently he even rode the trains on a least two occasions. Once, when he hopped a train to Windsor he refused the return journey, opting instead for a walk back to Slough. From the memorial and the write up, it is obvious that he was well loved in Slough. He died, on the platform with in his harness, on the evening of 19 November 1896. Voluntary contributions from the residents of Slough placed him at his current location.

Station Jim, no doubt an oddity in ter

ms of historical markers, presents us with an alternative look at history. Rather than focusing on elites, here we have a working class hero that helped people during his short life. The commemoration of this canine hero also speaks to the affection of dogs by British people. While it is startling to see a stuffed dog while waiting for your train to London, it is an interesting footnote to history.

See The Guardian’s 2011 editorial regarding Jim here. 

English Language

The word alight is almost never heard in the United States, but is commonly used on the London transport system. The word has an interesting etymological history: it means to dismount from a horse or vehicle. On the tube in London, the word is frequently used to tell people where to exit the subway for various sites (e.g. “Alight here for Royal Albert Hall”). The word comes from old English (alighten) meaning to relieve of weight. 

The Commemoration of Heroic Self Sacrifice at Postman’s Park

Ever since hearing a BBC story about it last December, I have been looking forward to visiting this small, lesser known park in Central London. Opened in 1900, the exhibition commemorates those who laid down their lives in an attempt to save others. The founder, George Frederic Watts, believed that this was the noblest cause of humans and that their sacrifice should be remembered. Each of the monuments are decorative marble affixed to a brick wall; there is a small awning to protect the memorials from the elements. One of the interesting aspects of this memorial is that it does not celebrate those who are most commonly thought of as heroes by today’s standards (or the Victorian era for that matter). Those commemorated are working class people who made the ultimate sacrifice. Clearly this was a political statement at a time of increased liberalization in Britain. Those who sacrificed their lives are seen as noble at those who are considered noble. Take for instance:

“Walter Peart (driver) and Harry Dean (fireman) of the Windsor Express on July 18, 1898, whilst being scalded & burnt sacrificed their lives in saving the train”

Other markers describe people drowning while attempting to save others, giving up life vests on a sinking ship or running into burning buildings to rescue victims. The epitaph left by Solomon Galaman, the 11-year-old boy who pushed his younger brother from being running over, “Mother I saved him but I could not save myself” is one of the most moving.

Postman’s Park itself was opened in 1880 and was formerly the combined churchyards of thee churches: St. Botolph-without-Aldersgate, St. Leonard Foster lane and Christ Church Newgate Street. The park got its name because the postmen from the London Chief Post Office once ate their lunches there. 

Paddington Station (London)

Whenever I travel through Paddington Station I always feel drawn to have a look at the statue commemorating the “3312 men and women of the Great Western Railway [who] gave their lives for King and Country.” The monument honors individuals killed in both the First and Second World Wars. The statue is located adjacent to track 1 in a part of the station that is rarely frequented by passengers these days.

Paddington Station was opened in 1854; another plaque marking the centenary of the station (in 1954) is located near the Costa Coffee Shop.

Mosquito Lane

There is a small road that crosses Pennsylvania Route 41, just west of Chatham. I notice the small street sign that read Mosquito Lane as I drove through this weekend. I am sure there is an interesting story behind the name, but I have no idea what it might be. Upon further investigation, Mosquito Lane runs north to south, from PA926 (Street Rd), across PA41, to West London Grove Road. 

Delaware’s World War II Lookouts

Fear and concern during the Second World War prompted the United States to take action to secure the eastern seaboard. These two towers, located in the Delaware Seashore State Park, are vestiges of that concern. Built between 1940 and 1942, these sentinels sought to protect the United States from enemy vessels or foreign invasion. A total of eleven towers were built (eight in Delaware and three in New Jersey). More recently the towers served as fire lookouts.