I came across the American Field Service site about my father online and there is loads of fascinating stuff including the fact that one of his team started the CIA years later!

His OBE was clearly well earned and he seems to have been quite a hero to those who knew at the time.

One of the wonderful aspects of the Internet.

Today is the day to remember those like him who served. It's not about glorifying war, but about recognising the contributions by all those involved, whether military, medical, fire-fighters, factory workers or farmers.

I used the internet to find out which regiment my great grandfather was in. All I had was an old photograph of him in uniform. Now I know so much more about him and feel much closer to him.

I hate wars and believe that very rarely is there justification but I do find my Dad's career fascinating and noble in intent though I retain my feeling that being paid to kill people is a profession to be avoided.

I think most of us hate war, but sometimes they happen and we are left with few options. The official main job of a soldier is to protect the people and, by providing a military presence, deter hostility. Unfortunately, life isn't always that straight forward. If I saw someone break into my neighbour's house and begin to beat them up, I'd feel compelled to take action. Either I would have to tackle the aggressor myself or call someone else to do it. Either way, I'd be involved. In principle it is a small scale war. It's about protecting each other, especially those we know and love.

Yesterday I wore my poppy as a mark of respect, not for those who enjoy killing, but for those frightened young men and women who put themselves between us and those who would wish to harm us, and for those who helped to keep our spirits up through the darkest of times. Not everybody in war is involved in killing.

We could all be idealist and say there should be no wars, but there will always be some selfish, greedy, sadistic so-n-so who'll start one for his own reasons.