Just before Armistice Day in 2021 Benedikt Marchand from Munich emailed to tell us he had visited the Somme during the previous month, and that he had been following the footsteps of his granduncle, a young German soldier who fought and died at High Wood in 1916.
That soldier, Lt Franz Volz, now lies with comrades in one of the mass graves at Fricourt German Cemetery.
Benedikt also visited Lochnagar and saw and read our Labyrinth Panels which he says inspired him to write to us.
His email likewise inspired us, and unbeknownst to Benedikt, we laid a cross to Lt Volz at Fricourt on Armistice Day and later sent a picture to Benedikt. Lt Volz’ story is a perfect example of what Richard has always said at our gatherings and memorial commemorations – that this Great War, and all wars, cuts short or irreparably damages so many young lives, snuffing out the promise, the hopes, dreams and opportunities for those many men who die or are injured and maimed. And the pain and suffering it brings to loved ones then and in the generations after.
This young man, Franz Volz, was a gifted musician and composer. He could play the organ, piano, violin and cello, and could replicate music – even whole operas – after hearing it only once. He composed a march for two violins at primary school, and later wrote several songs and began a string quartet.
A century after his death several pieces of music were transcribed and then played and recorded by a Taiwanese-German pianist.
So this year, with Benedikt having made the journey to the Somme especially and having joined Friends at the annual meal at the Hotel de la Paix in the evening, about 20 of us went on to Bécourt Military Cemetery afterwards.
At this very special place we played a piece of Franz’ music titled ‘Kinderstück’ in memory of him and in dedication to the millions who suffer or die because of war and whose hopes, dreams and opportunities remain forever unfulfilled. As we often say of this pilgrimage in the footsteps of Tom Easton, a fitting end to the day. IF
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