Place to reflect on war horrors
WAR and the sheer scale of it is what hit home to Grafton businessman Allan Gough when he made a personal pilgrimage to France.
During a European holiday, Allan Myles Gough travelled to Rouen to visit the grave of his great-uncle and namesake, John Myles Gough in St Severn cemetery.
"There were 6000 young men buried there, lined up in row upon row," Mr Gough said.
"That's when war really hits you as you see how big it is and how many young people died there."
"I'm thankful we live the life we do because of what these fellows did."
Private John Gough served in several battalions and while in the 36th battalion in France he was shot in the head, right hand and thigh.
Just days before his death from these wounds, he penned a letter to his father in his left hand, assuring him his wounds were "much better".
"He was on his deathbed and all he was worried about was his family and he was only 22."
"It was tear-jerking to see all those headstones lined up, but the French have done a wonderful job of maintaining the graves."
