This is a really good question, and to be honest I'm not sure of the answer.

I'm 33 and none of my close relatives perished in either WW1 or WW2 (In fact I don't know anyone who has ever been killed in any wartime situaton).

I must say that I feel slightly uncomfortable 'having' to remember these soldiers, when those who, for example, died whilst digging canals, creating mine shafts or whatever are ignored.

I don't know - but my guess is that most of the war dead, died doing what they were told. That has happened throughout history, whether there's been a war or not.

I don't wear a poppy, because I don't like being 'told' what I should grieve about.

During this morning's 2 minute silence, I thought about terminal cancer sufferes more than I did about soldiers.

Ed