The Island’s highest-ranked veteran, Major General Sir Martin White, has given an in-depth interview about his decorated military career and his 14 years as Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight. Speaking with Island Stories host Harriet Hadfield, Sir Martin – who was born and bred in Nettlestone and Seaview – says the traditional commemorative 2-minute silence is always a very ‘personal moment’. He says:
“I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck go up, just thinking about it… I’ve had friends who’ve been killed, for me it’s a very personal moment – and for so many people around the Island. “You just have to go to Newport Minster and see how many people gather in the square – many of them are young – not just old fogeys. It’s so important that the younger generation understand what generations of people have sacrificed.”
This year Sir Martin will lead a wreath-laying ceremony outside St Peters’ Church, Seaview this Sunday – where 3 of his great Uncles who were killed in the First World War are remembered. After a long and decorated career in the British Army, Sir Martin then served Her Late Majesty The Queen as her representative on the Isle of Wight – welcoming royalty to our shores as our Lord Lieutenant for 14 years. He tells the podcast:
“I firmly believe we have a lot going for us on this island, and in my role of Lord Lieutenant, part of being able to sell that was having members of the Royal Family down here to see what we get up to. “I used to sit down and plan, ask for royal visits and then have a list of things that I wanted to show them: Industry, education, charities… a whole range of things that we are good at. “We are good at so many things. That was the way I felt that I could sell the Island. And being an Islander, it was easy for me.”
The popular Island Stories podcast has returned for its 3rd season, supported by Style of Wight Magazine. Hosted by broadcast journalist Harriet Hadfield and produced by Alex Warren, episodes from the first 2 seasons were downloaded more than 8,000 times and included guests such as DJ Rob da Bank, Mountbatten CEO Nigel Hartley, double gold Olympian Shirley Robertson and Garlic Farm boss Natasha Edwards. You can listen on their website or search ‘Island Stories’ wherever you get your podcasts from.
So wonderful to know that this nation shall always have decent people who respect, value and are ever grateful for those who risked so much for us with many carrying invisible as well as obvious scars
Those who never came back should not just be honoured for a couple of minutes but their sacrifices should always be in the back of the minds of every MP whatever their party.
I can only guess that most who risked all fighting in the wars did so first and foremost for their families, friends & loved ones , and their country and its people, wishing them a better, safer future.
MP’s have let them & us down in last few decades IMO.
A great shame Major General Sir Martin White had to retire from the post of Lord Lieutenant as he was perfect for the position and his age should not have been a factor if he had wanted to continue.
At the death of her late Majesty Queen Eliazabeth I was curious as to why only a one minute silence was observed but that is the convention.
The two minute silence on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday is actually two one minute silences back to back, the first as thanksgiving for those who return and the second in remembrance of those who haven’t.