Eleven years, today, the world tragically lost the absolute legend that was Jerry Collins 💔
4th November 1980 - 5th June 2015
Thanks for the incredible memories, big man.
Always in our hearts. 🖤
The family memorial inscriptions on Commonwealth War Graves are always so profoundly moving.
Private Cyster: “He gave the dearest thing in the world, his beautiful unfinished life.”
Lt Brotheridge: “Out of the bitterness of war he found the perfect peace.”
Private Corteil: “Had you known our boy you would have loved him too, ‘Glen’ his paratroop dog was killed with him.” [note the dog toys left on the grave]
Private Harbert: “How can the memory fade of one who gave up his young life so unselfishly?”
Ray’s Rock - Omaha Beach
On the morning of June 6, 1944, 23 year old Staff Sergeant Arnold “Ray” Lambert came ashore with the first wave of the 1st Infantry Division on the eastern side of Omaha Beach. At this small patch of concrete he saved nearly 20 lives:
The division came under intense fire from several German bunkers surrounding the entrance to the Colville Draw (one of two exits off Omaha Beach). Ray, a medic, immediately went to work.
He was shot in the arm. Moments later he was hit by shrapnel in the leg, but Ray kept pulling men to safety. He pulled nearly 20 wounded soldiers to cover behind this 8ft wide obstacle, treating each soldier before going out in search of others.
After several hours under fire, while pulling a wounded soldier from the ocean, he was struck by a landing craft. It dropped its ramp on top of him, breaking his back. He fell face down in the water, drowning. The craft backed up and nearby soldiers pulled an unconscious Ray to safety, eventually evacuating him off the beach.
Remarkably, Ray had already earned two Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts in Sicily and North Africa, prior to landing in France. But here in Normandy his war would end.
He awoke in a hospital back in England a day later. In the next bed over was his brother, who had also been wounded at Omaha.
When asked about his work on D-Day, Ray simply said, “I did what I was called to do.”
Ray Lambert passed in 2021 at 100 years old. He exemplified the best of American grit and why remembering this day is so important.
I know league fans like to think they're different. But this is beautiful. Two clubs with little to no direct connection to John Kear, but to a person fans stood and applauded. Because of the history of the game, it really is community first, team second. Very touching indeed.
STOLEN. Overnight from outside my home in Canterbury. Honda CB500. V329DPN. They cut through the security chain. Reported to Police. Please repost. I am not optimistic about getting it back but the more people who see this post the more chance there is.
John Kear was a lovely man. His enthusiasm for the sport of rugby league was infectious.
He was always generous with his time, willing to chat and he always had a smile on his face.
His loss will be felt by many..
Thoughts with his family and friends.
RIP John
John Kear had one of the most fascinating coaching careers imaginable. True, he never got to coach one of the regular grand final winners, but he ticked every other box.
He told me his coaching essentially began in 1986 when injury ruled him out of Cas’s cup win, but Mal Reilly>
We were privileged @ScratchShedPub to publish John Kear's autobiography. Touching, heartfelt, funny & honest, he was everything good about #rugbyleague & embodied it's ethos and spirit. Hopefully he knew how much he meant to everyone & was a wonderful companion & mentor. Miss him