Thread: How Old??

I suppose that the oldest thing I have is a small gold medal (with a Saint Anthony) that my Great Grandfather, who was a military doctor, carried with him through World War 1. His sisters gave him the medal when he embarked and he carried it with him at all times. It went to war and back. I often look at this medal: it is a reminder that we all go through nasty stuff in our lives; but this medal has went through stuff I will likely never know.

PS — Yes, Portugal was a beligerent in WW1. We declared war on the Germans in 1916 and joined the Allies in the bloody trenches in northern France under the command of the British. The Portuguese participation wasn't very significative in such an industrial war, but it left some scars in our collective memory.

Originally Posted by fpessanha

I suppose that the oldest thing I have is a small gold medal (with a Saint Anthony) that my Great Grandfather, who was a military doctor, carried with him through World War 1. His sisters gave him the medal when he embarked and he carried it with him at all times. It went to war and back. I often look at this medal: it is a reminder that we all go through nasty stuff in our lives; but this medal has went through stuff I will likely never know.

PS — Yes, Portugal was a beligerent in WW1. We declared war on the Germans in 1916 and joined the Allies in the bloody trenches in northern France under the command of the British. The Portuguese participation wasn't very significative in such an industrial war, but it left some scars in our collective memory.

I've read that the Portuguese, being good at Jogo do Pau, stick fighting, were very adapt at fighting with bayonets. Even being used to train other soldiers. I'm Portuguese, and hope to hitch a ride with my cousin next year and visit the Azores, all my Grandparents came from the Islands.