Family WW2 stories
Discussion
loquacious said:
My Grandad was in the 8th army in Africa as a tank driver/mechanic. He also served in Italy and didn't get demobbed until 1946-7 for some reason, as he was called up in '39 he had a bloody long war! He hardly ever spoke about his time in the war apart from to be disparaging about Egypt which he thought was filthy and disgusting and about Italian POWs who he said where so glad to be out of the war that one bloke with a gun could sit on his backside and 'guard' about a thousand prisoners without any fear.
You could, however, tell he'd driven tanks as he was the most brutal driver I have ever known: how the gear lever in his various cars was never ripped clean out of the floor I will never know! He did get quite a few medals (which I now have) but for what I don't know.
His family lived in the Doncaster area and to be honest, I don't know who suffered worse, him out there in a tank or the poor buggers at home being bombed all the time?
Read: The tank men by Mark UrbanYou could, however, tell he'd driven tanks as he was the most brutal driver I have ever known: how the gear lever in his various cars was never ripped clean out of the floor I will never know! He did get quite a few medals (which I now have) but for what I don't know.
His family lived in the Doncaster area and to be honest, I don't know who suffered worse, him out there in a tank or the poor buggers at home being bombed all the time?
I had a great uncle that went down with HMS Hood. My Grandad was on an aircraft carrier: HMS Indefatigable in the Pacific, on April 1st 1945 a Japanese Kamikaze attacked the ship whilst being persued from one of Inde's own Seafires which dived down and crashed into the flight deck and smashed open a hole in the ships island. My grandad was in a lower deck and broke his leg from the impact. Fuel from the plane caught fire and poured into the lower decks, my grandad was saved by a ruptured steam pipe that doused the fired, the flight deck was operational again within a few hours. He was taken off at Sydney and came back on a hospital ship. When home he was transported to a hospital in Wiltshire to recover where my other grandad on my mums side was working at the time, it would be another 25 years before my mum met my dad.
Hms inde had a u.s journalist on board that famously quoted: “When a kamikaze hits a US carrier, it’s six months repair at Pearl. In a Limey carrier it’s a case of “sweepers, man your brooms”.”
Hms inde had a u.s journalist on board that famously quoted: “When a kamikaze hits a US carrier, it’s six months repair at Pearl. In a Limey carrier it’s a case of “sweepers, man your brooms”.”
rambo19 said:
My grandad was a Sgt in RA in ww2.
A story he told me just before he died;
Whilst up north(birmingham, I think.), probably manning the guns at the BSA factory, him and his section were given 'body recovery duty'. This involved collect the bodies after air raids and putting them in heavy duty cardboard type coffins.
It did not matter if the body parts were from different people, as long as a full body went in. They used to get paid extra for this.
Anyway, despite what people think, during the WW2 there was loads of thieving/looting going on. He caught a soldier from his section taking a wedding ring from a body, and gave the soldier a very severe b
king.
A few days later, he caught the same soldier doing the same thing. He spoke to the rest of his section and told them that if he caught the soldier doing it again, he would shoot him.
Well, a few days later he caught the soldier doing the same thing and promptly shot him in the back of the head with his webley whilst the soldier was taking a body's wallet.
He informed the rest of the section, they then placed the body into one of the coffins and reported that the soldier had gone missing during an air raid.
It was the only story he ever told me from WW2.
Wow. That’s a story. A story he told me just before he died;
Whilst up north(birmingham, I think.), probably manning the guns at the BSA factory, him and his section were given 'body recovery duty'. This involved collect the bodies after air raids and putting them in heavy duty cardboard type coffins.
It did not matter if the body parts were from different people, as long as a full body went in. They used to get paid extra for this.
Anyway, despite what people think, during the WW2 there was loads of thieving/looting going on. He caught a soldier from his section taking a wedding ring from a body, and gave the soldier a very severe b
king.A few days later, he caught the same soldier doing the same thing. He spoke to the rest of his section and told them that if he caught the soldier doing it again, he would shoot him.
Well, a few days later he caught the soldier doing the same thing and promptly shot him in the back of the head with his webley whilst the soldier was taking a body's wallet.
He informed the rest of the section, they then placed the body into one of the coffins and reported that the soldier had gone missing during an air raid.
It was the only story he ever told me from WW2.
My wife's Great Grandfather, Tom Woods, was master of the RMS Lady of Mann, one of the Isle of Man Steam Packet ships. He was near to retirement as when war broke out but got well and truly embroiled. His ship evacuated more soldiers from Dunkirk than any other vessel. He was recommended for the George Cross but wasn't awarded the medal because he was neither civilian or services being a merchant seaman, and of course the GC was for heroism 'not in the face of the enemy'. He was awarded the OBE though.
We have copies of all his papers from birth certificate to death certificate. We donated the originals to the Manx Museum in Dougles where some of them are on display.
They took a lot of punishment on their first trip to Dunkirk, but Tom insisted upon making multiple visits to get soldiers off the beach. He gave the option to his crew of not travelling back with the ship such was the danger. Here's his list of the crew that opted not to return...
Here's the extract from wikipedia...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Lady_of_Mann
Under the command of her Master Captain T.C. (Daddy) Woods O.B.E., Lady of Mann joined seven of her Steam Packet sisters at Dunkirk and then at the evacuation of the north-western French ports. After this she spent four years on transport work from Lerwick. She then went south and was engaged in the D-Day landings on the Cherbourg Peninsula.
Requisitioned as a personnel ship at the outbreak of war, she had a good turn of speed, and was able to get in and out of the Dunkirk bombardments and lift 4,262 men back to the relative safety of Dover and Folkestone. She remained for six hours in Dunkirk harbour on 31 May 1940, despite having been damaged by shellfire from shore batteries on her approach and being bombed by enemy aircraft.
She emerged from the bombing with little damage and claimed one enemy aircraft shot down. She was back at Dunkirk in the early hours of 1 June and took off 1,500 casualties. The following day, 2 June, she again steamed into Dunkirk but was ordered back for lack of troops, as by this time the evacuation was drawing towards its close. She picked up 18 French soldiers from a small boat on her way back and landed them in England. On the night of 3 June, she made her last trip to the shattered harbour. She berthed alongside the East Pier at a little after midnight on the morning of 4 June, and left for England after embarking another 1,244 troops in little over an hour. Later that afternoon, Operation Dynamo ended.
Over the period of the evacuation, Lady of Mann had lifted more troops to safety than any other vessel.[6] Twelve days later, Lady of Mann was in action once more. She became part of the force of personnel ships assigned to Operation Ariel, the evacuation from the ports of north-west France. She was at Le Havre, Cherbourg and Brest, embarking troops as the enemy advanced in a vast encircling movement. Along with her Steam Packet sister Manx Maid, Lady of Mann was one of the last three ships to leave Le Havre. It was estimated she had 5,000 troops on board as she departed under air attack.[7]
From the troops and air force personnel from RMS Queen Mary, which served throughout the war as a troop transport ship. Queen Mary would arrive in Belfast from Canada or the United States, turn around quickly and set off again westwards. Lady of Mann, was one of several vessels that serviced the big Cunarder, taking troops on the final leg of their sea voyage to Greenock. Lady of Mann was then taken over by the Admiralty and converted to a Landing Ship Infantry (Hand Hoisting) vessel with a carrying capacity of six landing craft, 55 officers and 435 men.
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, she was the headquarters ship of the senior officer of the 512th Assault Flotilla, responsible for the landings in the Juno area near Courselles. Later in the month, while still on the Normandy operations, she was retired for repairs and then went back to her duties as a personnel carrier. She served as such for the remainder of the war, carrying on for some months afterwards moving troops and bringing out displaced persons. She was mostly Channel plying to Ostende and the Hook from such ports as Dover and Harwich.
A brave man indeed.
We have copies of all his papers from birth certificate to death certificate. We donated the originals to the Manx Museum in Dougles where some of them are on display.
They took a lot of punishment on their first trip to Dunkirk, but Tom insisted upon making multiple visits to get soldiers off the beach. He gave the option to his crew of not travelling back with the ship such was the danger. Here's his list of the crew that opted not to return...
Here's the extract from wikipedia...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Lady_of_Mann
Under the command of her Master Captain T.C. (Daddy) Woods O.B.E., Lady of Mann joined seven of her Steam Packet sisters at Dunkirk and then at the evacuation of the north-western French ports. After this she spent four years on transport work from Lerwick. She then went south and was engaged in the D-Day landings on the Cherbourg Peninsula.
Requisitioned as a personnel ship at the outbreak of war, she had a good turn of speed, and was able to get in and out of the Dunkirk bombardments and lift 4,262 men back to the relative safety of Dover and Folkestone. She remained for six hours in Dunkirk harbour on 31 May 1940, despite having been damaged by shellfire from shore batteries on her approach and being bombed by enemy aircraft.
She emerged from the bombing with little damage and claimed one enemy aircraft shot down. She was back at Dunkirk in the early hours of 1 June and took off 1,500 casualties. The following day, 2 June, she again steamed into Dunkirk but was ordered back for lack of troops, as by this time the evacuation was drawing towards its close. She picked up 18 French soldiers from a small boat on her way back and landed them in England. On the night of 3 June, she made her last trip to the shattered harbour. She berthed alongside the East Pier at a little after midnight on the morning of 4 June, and left for England after embarking another 1,244 troops in little over an hour. Later that afternoon, Operation Dynamo ended.
Over the period of the evacuation, Lady of Mann had lifted more troops to safety than any other vessel.[6] Twelve days later, Lady of Mann was in action once more. She became part of the force of personnel ships assigned to Operation Ariel, the evacuation from the ports of north-west France. She was at Le Havre, Cherbourg and Brest, embarking troops as the enemy advanced in a vast encircling movement. Along with her Steam Packet sister Manx Maid, Lady of Mann was one of the last three ships to leave Le Havre. It was estimated she had 5,000 troops on board as she departed under air attack.[7]
From the troops and air force personnel from RMS Queen Mary, which served throughout the war as a troop transport ship. Queen Mary would arrive in Belfast from Canada or the United States, turn around quickly and set off again westwards. Lady of Mann, was one of several vessels that serviced the big Cunarder, taking troops on the final leg of their sea voyage to Greenock. Lady of Mann was then taken over by the Admiralty and converted to a Landing Ship Infantry (Hand Hoisting) vessel with a carrying capacity of six landing craft, 55 officers and 435 men.
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, she was the headquarters ship of the senior officer of the 512th Assault Flotilla, responsible for the landings in the Juno area near Courselles. Later in the month, while still on the Normandy operations, she was retired for repairs and then went back to her duties as a personnel carrier. She served as such for the remainder of the war, carrying on for some months afterwards moving troops and bringing out displaced persons. She was mostly Channel plying to Ostende and the Hook from such ports as Dover and Harwich.
A brave man indeed.
My grandfather (dad's side) volunteered in July 1914 and was assigned to the RAMC as an ambulance driver (I thought that was strange as I knew he never learned to drive, turned out they were horse drawn ambiwlans), Served at various barracks around the UK until he was shipped out to France in March 1917. Got into trouble over there for (and I quote) "being 5 minutes late for stables", was given 7 days Field Punishment No. 2 (don't know what that entailed). Was then transferred to the Royal Field Artillery for the rest of the war. Eventually came home mid 1919 having spent some time in Germany, no idea what he was doing there. His service records are complete and online from the day he volunteered to the day he was demobbed.
Dad was in REME during WW2, conscripted early 1944 but never went overseas, his only war story was being on guard duty (he was a mechanic attached to an anti aircraft battery on the south coast) on the night of 5th of June 1944, apparently the sky was full of planes all night, he wasn't involved in D Day in anyway but knew when it had started.
My father in law was Polish and was serving in the Polish Army at the outbreak of the war. He was captured and interned on the fall of Poland, eventually made his way across occupied Europe and onward to the UK.
Joined the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade who were based in Largo in Fife, was injured in training, no idea of his injuries but they were serious enough to land him in hospital, one of the RAF nurses looking after him obviously caught his eye as she became my mother in law 30 or so years later.
He recovered enough to rejoin his unit and was rewarded with a relaxing trip to Arnhem, he survived that unscathed somehow.
He never returned to Poland.
Sadly he died not many years after we first met, I only wish I'd spent more time talking to him about his fairly adventurous 39-45 years
Dad was in REME during WW2, conscripted early 1944 but never went overseas, his only war story was being on guard duty (he was a mechanic attached to an anti aircraft battery on the south coast) on the night of 5th of June 1944, apparently the sky was full of planes all night, he wasn't involved in D Day in anyway but knew when it had started.
My father in law was Polish and was serving in the Polish Army at the outbreak of the war. He was captured and interned on the fall of Poland, eventually made his way across occupied Europe and onward to the UK.
Joined the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade who were based in Largo in Fife, was injured in training, no idea of his injuries but they were serious enough to land him in hospital, one of the RAF nurses looking after him obviously caught his eye as she became my mother in law 30 or so years later.
He recovered enough to rejoin his unit and was rewarded with a relaxing trip to Arnhem, he survived that unscathed somehow.
He never returned to Poland.
Sadly he died not many years after we first met, I only wish I'd spent more time talking to him about his fairly adventurous 39-45 years
Blink982 said:
My Grandfather on my Mother's side had three brothers and they all served in WW2. One of them was badly injured in 1944 serving in Italy with the Scots Guards and was awarded the MM. I believe he was shot in the eye and had the option to be sent home. He chose not to, instead choosing to fight on with his comrades but sadly he died in battle shortly afterwards. I always promised my Mother that if I ever visited Italy I would go to his grave and pay my respects and despite going to Italy on a few occasions, the opportunity never arose. Earlier this month, I was at Monza for the grand prix so stayed on an extra day to visit the War Cemetery in Florence. It was immaculate and a credit to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It was a humbling experience and I'm very glad I was finally able to pay my respects to my brave Great Uncle Jack.
I visited a Commonwealth War Grave in Holland and as I walked through the entrance I thought to myself 'Thats a bloody big sheet of green marble they've got there' then a light breeze blew in and the 'sheet of marble' moved, it was a hedge that the gardeners had trimmed to absolute perfection.My grandmothers brother in law was in the trenches in WW1. The only thing I remember him telling me was that they used to walk on duck boards over the mud. If you fell off the duck boards you were a goner.
My Uncle Neil flew reconnaisance mosquitos, again. Never thought to ask further. My dad told me that after the war, living in Alderley Edge, they were very close to Ringway, now Manchester Airport. They used to nick Avgas from the hundreds of mothballed aircraft for Uncle Neils car which then went like stink before burning it's valves out. Whilst naughty nicking the fuel, I guess he had earned it and I doubt he made a significant dent on the volume..
Such a different world back then. Fortunately.
My Uncle Neil flew reconnaisance mosquitos, again. Never thought to ask further. My dad told me that after the war, living in Alderley Edge, they were very close to Ringway, now Manchester Airport. They used to nick Avgas from the hundreds of mothballed aircraft for Uncle Neils car which then went like stink before burning it's valves out. Whilst naughty nicking the fuel, I guess he had earned it and I doubt he made a significant dent on the volume..
Such a different world back then. Fortunately.
My grandad fought in WW2 & his father in WW1, i don't really remember my great, great grandfather as i only met him a couple of times & was very young, however i know that he fought in the trenches & survived.
My grandad was clearing mines for the tanks to come through & stood on one, he had the lower part of his leg sawn off in a field hospital due to the injuries.
My grandad on the other side (who i never met as he passed away before i was born), drove a flamethrower tank!
My grandad was clearing mines for the tanks to come through & stood on one, he had the lower part of his leg sawn off in a field hospital due to the injuries.
My grandad on the other side (who i never met as he passed away before i was born), drove a flamethrower tank!
This is my dad, sometime near the start of WW2 in his Auxiliary Fire Service uniform.
At the start of the war the recruitment office found out he was a volunteer (auxiliary) part time fireman, so he was told, 'well, you're full time now.' This was in Poplar, in the middle of the docks, so he saw plenty of action. In fact, more than some of his brothers in law did in the army.
One of my uncles fought his way across North Africa in a 25 pounder field gun crew. They received a direct hit one day, and uncle was the sole survivor. He put this town to his ability to run away faster than the bits of schrapnel were flying towards him, although this can't be altogether true as I can still remember him pulling bits of metal out of his arms and legs many years later. He returned from the desert only to be sent to France, after D Day. Once he told me that the British troops were more frightened of the Americans than they were of the Germans. He said that if they left a path open for the Germans to retreat they would happily do so. The Americans, on the other hand, would shoot at anything and ask questions later. I always think of this when I see that bit about the clicky toys the American soldiers were given in The Longest Day.
Another uncle was on a troop ship that was sunk in the Mediterranean, and spend some hours in the water clinging to burning wreckage. Very little was left of his hands and face by the time he was rescued. He was found clinging on to a comrade, who, it turned out, had actually been dead for hours. He spent a year undergoing plastic surgery, looking like the invisible man, but to my eyes ( as a child growing up) the doctors must have done a fantastic job, because you never would have noticed.
A third, younger uncle, joined the war in time to spend the remainder of it billeted on a farm in Italy, where he passed the time shagging the farmer's daughter.
My mother's family was Jewish, and naturally mixed with the East End Jewish community after the war. Some of their friends had been in the German camps. I can still remember being sat on the knee of one of them who made a point of showing me the numbers the Nazis had tattooed in his forearm. I think this may well be why I have such a revulsion about tattoos now.
As for my dad, the stories he told us we're almost invariably the funny ones, as even in the Blitz the most bizarre things used to happen. Occasionally, though, something more grim would come through. For instance, one of the local fire stations was bomb damaged, so they took over a nearby school, the appliances neatly parked up in the playground and the crews in the classrooms. The kids were all evacuated anyway. The school then received a direct hit from a rocket. Dad said he was given the task of taking the remains of people he knew off the walls with a shovel.
If this thread continues I may post some of the funny stories, but at the moment I wouldn't like to detract from the impact of some of the above posts.
At the start of the war the recruitment office found out he was a volunteer (auxiliary) part time fireman, so he was told, 'well, you're full time now.' This was in Poplar, in the middle of the docks, so he saw plenty of action. In fact, more than some of his brothers in law did in the army.
One of my uncles fought his way across North Africa in a 25 pounder field gun crew. They received a direct hit one day, and uncle was the sole survivor. He put this town to his ability to run away faster than the bits of schrapnel were flying towards him, although this can't be altogether true as I can still remember him pulling bits of metal out of his arms and legs many years later. He returned from the desert only to be sent to France, after D Day. Once he told me that the British troops were more frightened of the Americans than they were of the Germans. He said that if they left a path open for the Germans to retreat they would happily do so. The Americans, on the other hand, would shoot at anything and ask questions later. I always think of this when I see that bit about the clicky toys the American soldiers were given in The Longest Day.
Another uncle was on a troop ship that was sunk in the Mediterranean, and spend some hours in the water clinging to burning wreckage. Very little was left of his hands and face by the time he was rescued. He was found clinging on to a comrade, who, it turned out, had actually been dead for hours. He spent a year undergoing plastic surgery, looking like the invisible man, but to my eyes ( as a child growing up) the doctors must have done a fantastic job, because you never would have noticed.
A third, younger uncle, joined the war in time to spend the remainder of it billeted on a farm in Italy, where he passed the time shagging the farmer's daughter.
My mother's family was Jewish, and naturally mixed with the East End Jewish community after the war. Some of their friends had been in the German camps. I can still remember being sat on the knee of one of them who made a point of showing me the numbers the Nazis had tattooed in his forearm. I think this may well be why I have such a revulsion about tattoos now.
As for my dad, the stories he told us we're almost invariably the funny ones, as even in the Blitz the most bizarre things used to happen. Occasionally, though, something more grim would come through. For instance, one of the local fire stations was bomb damaged, so they took over a nearby school, the appliances neatly parked up in the playground and the crews in the classrooms. The kids were all evacuated anyway. The school then received a direct hit from a rocket. Dad said he was given the task of taking the remains of people he knew off the walls with a shovel.
If this thread continues I may post some of the funny stories, but at the moment I wouldn't like to detract from the impact of some of the above posts.
All 4 grandparents were working, only my paternal grandfather was involved in anything war related and that was because the mill where he worked was making textiles for the war effort.
My great Uncle was a different matter, a squadron leader, and then went to Africa. He was involved in “something” that meant him and his colleagues were trapped behind enemy lines. They travelled back across the desert as fast as they dare in a captured German staff car with him sat on the wing holding the carburettor together. They were mentioned in dispatches for this. Quite what they were doing and why, no-one (in the family) knows. The family never knew anything about what he did in WW2 until after he died in 1980.
My mum’s cousin was code breaking at Bletchley Park. If you knew her, this would have come as a complete surprise. We only found out after she had died - just 2 years ago. She never ever mentioned it to anyone.
A fellow scrutineer told us that his father had been involved in the clean-up operations in Belsen just after the allies got to the camp. Apparently when you see the infamous footage of the bulldozer pushing the many hundreds of bodies into the graves, he was driving the bulldozer. Still chills me to think that of course some poor sod at some time had to do that task.
My great Uncle was a different matter, a squadron leader, and then went to Africa. He was involved in “something” that meant him and his colleagues were trapped behind enemy lines. They travelled back across the desert as fast as they dare in a captured German staff car with him sat on the wing holding the carburettor together. They were mentioned in dispatches for this. Quite what they were doing and why, no-one (in the family) knows. The family never knew anything about what he did in WW2 until after he died in 1980.
My mum’s cousin was code breaking at Bletchley Park. If you knew her, this would have come as a complete surprise. We only found out after she had died - just 2 years ago. She never ever mentioned it to anyone.
A fellow scrutineer told us that his father had been involved in the clean-up operations in Belsen just after the allies got to the camp. Apparently when you see the infamous footage of the bulldozer pushing the many hundreds of bodies into the graves, he was driving the bulldozer. Still chills me to think that of course some poor sod at some time had to do that task.
One Grandfather was in the Marine's during the war and was then based at CTC in Lympstone for some time after, which incidentally his father I believe was instrumental in setting up.
He never spoke about the war, the only thing I ever got out of him was that he did what he had to do at the time. The little I know is that he arrived in France shortly after D-Day, spent some time around Dunkirk living on the coastline and was a sniper by trade. My Grandmother also had a copy of his Mention in Despatches beside her bed until she died. But I'm not sure what it was for.
My other Grandfather, I'm not entirely sure what he did during the war. But I do know that he was present at the Nuremberg trials post war.
He never spoke about the war, the only thing I ever got out of him was that he did what he had to do at the time. The little I know is that he arrived in France shortly after D-Day, spent some time around Dunkirk living on the coastline and was a sniper by trade. My Grandmother also had a copy of his Mention in Despatches beside her bed until she died. But I'm not sure what it was for.
My other Grandfather, I'm not entirely sure what he did during the war. But I do know that he was present at the Nuremberg trials post war.
My paternal granddad lied about his age to join the Navy in WW1 and was in the Battle of Jutland. Story goes that he was in the first ship of the line that didn't get blown up. Have a few other relatives who were killed at Jutland and their names are on the memorial on Southsea beach. I've got a list of the ships that they served on somewhere, one was on Black Prince (lost with all hands).
After WWI he stayed in the Navy I have details of a cruise he did to South America and US west coast going through the Panama canal. My dad was born when he was away at sea, allegedly halfway up the Amazon (but that can't be true).
He was recalled for WWII and went to America to bring back the merchant ships they converted into escort carriers. I have a picture taken Christmas 1941 (I think) mid Atlantic in the mess.
After WWI he stayed in the Navy I have details of a cruise he did to South America and US west coast going through the Panama canal. My dad was born when he was away at sea, allegedly halfway up the Amazon (but that can't be true).
He was recalled for WWII and went to America to bring back the merchant ships they converted into escort carriers. I have a picture taken Christmas 1941 (I think) mid Atlantic in the mess.
Great grandad was in the first world war, Sherwood foresters, was gassed at the battle of the Moine? Lost a lung and was taken prisoner ending up in the salt mines, not released until late 1919. Became a very successful businessman, sadly died before I was born.
Grandad, fathers side, was in the RAF regiment, fought all over Italy and the far east, never spoke about it.
Wife's uncle was a real character. He joined the RAF, lied about his age, was a radio operator on Halifax bombers. Shot down with the loss of everyone on board except him, taken prisoner. Escaped three times, every time he was recaptured the Germans beat the st out of him. On the third attempt he was more lucky and managed to make it all the way home. Became an electrician on TV and film sets. Never really spoke about it, except to sometimes get very upset when remembering his crew that didn't make it and to say that every time he went on a mission that he was absolutely petrified.
Heroes, all of them!
Grandad, fathers side, was in the RAF regiment, fought all over Italy and the far east, never spoke about it.
Wife's uncle was a real character. He joined the RAF, lied about his age, was a radio operator on Halifax bombers. Shot down with the loss of everyone on board except him, taken prisoner. Escaped three times, every time he was recaptured the Germans beat the s
t out of him. On the third attempt he was more lucky and managed to make it all the way home. Became an electrician on TV and film sets. Never really spoke about it, except to sometimes get very upset when remembering his crew that didn't make it and to say that every time he went on a mission that he was absolutely petrified. Heroes, all of them!
My maternal grandparents were children (my grandfather later served in Malaya and contracted Malaria, which changed the course of his life). My paternal grandparents met on my grandfathers farm. He was running that at 21 years old as his father had already passed away. My grandmother was a land girl. I believe he may also have served as an ARP.
I know my wife's grandad served in the navy having joined before the war (he LOVED it). He didn't like to talk about the war as he saw some awful sights. I believe they had to once leave some men in the sea but no idea whether they were ours or theirs.
I know my wife's grandad served in the navy having joined before the war (he LOVED it). He didn't like to talk about the war as he saw some awful sights. I believe they had to once leave some men in the sea but no idea whether they were ours or theirs.
texaxile said:
My Nan on my Mums side told me she would use OXO on her legs and draw a line to make it look like she had stockings on.
I heard same from my Mother in Law and her sister.Also carried a dinner fork when walking home in the black-out so that the man with 4 scars on his cheek would be picked out later.
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