In a number of villages across England and Wales there’s something missing. It’s something you’ll find in almost every settlement in the land, and it’s a reminder of some of life’s most powerful forces. That thing? A war memorial…
The number missing, to be exact, is 52 according to current research. 52 villages across England and Wales where no memorial is needed, because not one individual from that village died in the Great War, every man who went off to fight thankfully coming back alive. 14 of these villages were thankful enough to have the same happen once WW2 had ceased. No men dead. All returned safe.
It’s an oddity maybe, but a wonderful one. And it shines a light on those less fortunate in as much as it brings hope in even the darkest moments.
It may be more sobering however, to note that there are no Thankful Villages in Scotland, or Northern Ireland. At all.
