WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk How To Commemorate WW2
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Dec 30, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Henry Montgomery, grandson of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, shares insights on the legacy and importance of remembrance in WWII, influenced by his experiences with veterans. Angela Findlay, author and German remembrance expert, explores confronting her family's wartime history and the role of collective memory in reconciliation. Together, they emphasize nuanced perspectives on national histories, the need for honest remembrance, and lessons to prevent future conflicts, urging a broad view of all wartime victims.
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Childhood Memory Of Monty's Fame
- Henry Montgomery remembered his grandfather taking the salute at the Royal Tournament and the public attention it drew to the family.
- He says those early memories made him shy and shaped his uneasy relationship with Monty until later life.
Broaden Remembrance Beyond National Frames
- Angela and James argue remembrance should broaden beyond national narratives to include all victims and combatants.
- They propose acknowledging huge losses across nations to show war's universal calamity.
Teach Causes Not Just Events
- Teach young people the structural causes of war, especially how 'othering' builds into politics and violence.
- Use school curricula to connect historical lessons to present threats to democracy.
