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What did our parents do in the war?
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DeejayR
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My grandad fought in Africa but I don't know which war. The Boer, perhaps? We have maps marked "enemy gun emplacements", some metal buttons and a few medals.
My dad was in Coastal Command in WW2 and flew Mosquitoes from Scotland (Banff and Leuchars I think) to launch rocket attacks against German shipping in the Norwegian fjords. He also taught Norwegian pilots to fly Mossies. They were apparently fearless. We have his log books and aerial photos.
His navigator and good pal, Bert Mudd, was apparently hopeless. When flying alone they found their way by following landmarks like rivers. Dad used to pop down to St Mawgan or St Merryn airfields in Cornwall when we lived there and I can remember his Mossie whizzing over our bungalow.
Dad also said he flew a Mosquito equipped to carry a bouncing bomb when it was being tested. I've seen a movie clip but we have no official record of that.
My dad was in Coastal Command in WW2 and flew Mosquitoes from Scotland (Banff and Leuchars I think) to launch rocket attacks against German shipping in the Norwegian fjords. He also taught Norwegian pilots to fly Mossies. They were apparently fearless. We have his log books and aerial photos.
His navigator and good pal, Bert Mudd, was apparently hopeless. When flying alone they found their way by following landmarks like rivers. Dad used to pop down to St Mawgan or St Merryn airfields in Cornwall when we lived there and I can remember his Mossie whizzing over our bungalow.
Dad also said he flew a Mosquito equipped to carry a bouncing bomb when it was being tested. I've seen a movie clip but we have no official record of that.
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Both my grandfathers died age 57 as a result of time spent in the trenches. One had TB I was just a tot when he died. The other had lung disease after being gassed. He died before I was born. They, according to my parents, believed they were the lucky ones. I never knew them really.
My father ran away from home aged 13 to go to sea. He got work on a boat going from Liverpool to Ireland. He told his pal to let his Dad know he would be home in a week. Grandpa was waiting on the quayside for him and ordered him back to school promising if he still wanted to go to sea he would allow him to after he finished education.
WW 2 saw him get his wish. Volunteered for Royal Navy. Still only a teenager when he worked as a stoker. Torpedoed and survived 3 times. Saved lives, sadly tried to save others but couldn't. Never spoke of it. His brother told me of his heroic actions. Suffered with the mental torment all of his life. Had shrapnel wounds too. I remember a small piece coming to the surface of the skin on his arm.
Later after the war was on minesweeper around Norway. They had German prisoners of war to assist. All my father told me was that other British lads treated them with contempt, but he said 'They are just like me, some mothers' sons doing their patriotic duty'.
He never wanted to leave UK after the war, not even for a holiday.
He died 4 years ago, had dementia for over 20 years, but never lost his compassion for others.
Great thread @nosher8355 I am having a little weep at the posts on here.
My father ran away from home aged 13 to go to sea. He got work on a boat going from Liverpool to Ireland. He told his pal to let his Dad know he would be home in a week. Grandpa was waiting on the quayside for him and ordered him back to school promising if he still wanted to go to sea he would allow him to after he finished education.
WW 2 saw him get his wish. Volunteered for Royal Navy. Still only a teenager when he worked as a stoker. Torpedoed and survived 3 times. Saved lives, sadly tried to save others but couldn't. Never spoke of it. His brother told me of his heroic actions. Suffered with the mental torment all of his life. Had shrapnel wounds too. I remember a small piece coming to the surface of the skin on his arm.
Later after the war was on minesweeper around Norway. They had German prisoners of war to assist. All my father told me was that other British lads treated them with contempt, but he said 'They are just like me, some mothers' sons doing their patriotic duty'.
He never wanted to leave UK after the war, not even for a holiday.
He died 4 years ago, had dementia for over 20 years, but never lost his compassion for others.
Great thread @nosher8355 I am having a little weep at the posts on here.
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Lamont D
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Have you ever been to the museums down at the Pier Head? The maritime or Liverpool? My son done his work experience at a Western Approaches, when it was open.
The museum has a great display on the Kings Own through the ages. Really interesting and quality memorabilia.
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Yes, and to the underground control centre, Western Approaches, behind the town hall. Command centre for Battle of Atlantic. It was disused and forgotten for years, but opened up as a museum about 20 years ago. Fascinating.
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Forgot to mention my mum was only 10 at start of WW2. Her education stopped then and the family were not evacuated as her pa refused to have them split up. As the eldest my mum did the caring for her younger siblings while nana worked in munitions. Although it was tough for them nana wasn't complaining. They had lived in poverty with grandpa being injured in first WW, and the munitions work paid well.
Da's mum had worked in service. A bit like one of those below stairs in Downton. She returned to work as a cook/nanny.
I don't glorify war, but we should be proud of their resourcefulness. Also that they unquestioningly saw it as their duty to serve and defend their country.
Da's mum had worked in service. A bit like one of those below stairs in Downton. She returned to work as a cook/nanny.
I don't glorify war, but we should be proud of their resourcefulness. Also that they unquestioningly saw it as their duty to serve and defend their country.
Mr B's grandfather went down in a North Atlantic convoy, WWII. He never got to meet Mr B's mother, because she wasn't born til a few months later. His name is on the memorial on the Liverpool docks. We visited it last year.
Of my two grandfathers, one lied about his age to enlist, and was sent to the Somme. He was one of only 4 men in the regiment to survive one engagement. We have his medals and letters. Definitely suffered PTSD and nightmares for the rest of his life. He was an engineer for WWII, but was too old to be called up.
My other grandfather was a child during WWI and had a reserve occupation during WWII, but it haunted him that he hadn't been able to enlist. And my father was too young to serve, although he did National Service.
Edited to add: my maternal grandmother was one of 7 children, 4 girls, 3 boys. All the boys were killed in the trenches during WWI
Of my two grandfathers, one lied about his age to enlist, and was sent to the Somme. He was one of only 4 men in the regiment to survive one engagement. We have his medals and letters. Definitely suffered PTSD and nightmares for the rest of his life. He was an engineer for WWII, but was too old to be called up.
My other grandfather was a child during WWI and had a reserve occupation during WWII, but it haunted him that he hadn't been able to enlist. And my father was too young to serve, although he did National Service.
Edited to add: my maternal grandmother was one of 7 children, 4 girls, 3 boys. All the boys were killed in the trenches during WWI
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My Mum and Dad got married in 1940, they were in a reserved occupation - farming, so although my Dad tried to sign up 3 times 'they' wouldn't let him. Instead he had to join the home guard which he hated because it seemed such a waste of time. They had to either have a refugee or an airman to stay with them. They chose the airman (because he helped on the farm), and his wife came to stay too. One early morning they weren't woken up by Reg's plane flying low over the house. He had left a note saying "When I don't come back tomorrow, put Kath on the first train back to London" They did. She was pregnant. I still have a photo of her and the baby in my photo cupboard.
My mother's brother drowned when HMS Kite was sunk with only 2 survivors.
My mother's brother drowned when HMS Kite was sunk with only 2 survivors.
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Kat100
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WW1 grandfather firefighter .....I have a photo don't know how to post it here 
Grandmother (nan) cooked and cleaned ...
Father was in the army a para trooper....then firefighter ....WW2
My mother's mother died when my mother was one , but my gt uncle , harry eaton earp was killed out right by a shell he was given a medal for sticking to his gun ....he is burried in France he was 19 , butchers errand boy 1914 died 1917 ....approx
Another great uncle survived the boar war he was 17 lied about his age ....he got money that way ....he was adopted by my gt grandparents from St pancreas workhouse ....
He was at tugela heights ...the boar war ....
Hence my grandmother had the middle name of tugela .because her brother survived ....Daisy tugela
Grandfather herbert ....my mother's father died after catching TB he left 11 children ...my mother the youngest ...her mother died of starvation they were so poor ....I always buy flowers and light candles for them at certain times of the year ....
My mother was taken to Switzerland by the Red Cross ....to get better air for her TB ...she is 75 next year and just loves her home and life ...x
All of this thread makes you think ...all interesting ....I love family history ...we are so lucky in so many ways today .....
Grandmother (nan) cooked and cleaned ...
Father was in the army a para trooper....then firefighter ....WW2
My mother's mother died when my mother was one , but my gt uncle , harry eaton earp was killed out right by a shell he was given a medal for sticking to his gun ....he is burried in France he was 19 , butchers errand boy 1914 died 1917 ....approx
Another great uncle survived the boar war he was 17 lied about his age ....he got money that way ....he was adopted by my gt grandparents from St pancreas workhouse ....
He was at tugela heights ...the boar war ....
Hence my grandmother had the middle name of tugela .because her brother survived ....Daisy tugela
Grandfather herbert ....my mother's father died after catching TB he left 11 children ...my mother the youngest ...her mother died of starvation they were so poor ....I always buy flowers and light candles for them at certain times of the year ....
My mother was taken to Switzerland by the Red Cross ....to get better air for her TB ...she is 75 next year and just loves her home and life ...x
All of this thread makes you think ...all interesting ....I love family history ...we are so lucky in so many ways today .....
Robinredbreast
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My dad was a Paratrooper in \WW11, a Sergeant in the Yorkshire Regiment and as my mum was 3 years younger than my dad, she became a nurse more nearer the last years of the war, but I haven't any dates.,. Top left, middle and bottom left is my dad
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Robinredbreast
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Robinredbreast
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On the back of this photo is written, BORDENEAU GERMANY 11/4/45 12th Para
I have my grandad's WW 1 tin, a gift from Queen Mary to the troops and my dad has a tin with his name engraved, with Bombay India 1945 on it, such wonderful momento's that I treasure and will pass on to my children
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Yorksman
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My father was only 12 when the war broke out but his father had been in the first war from 1916 til 1921. He spent the three years after the armistice digging for the missing. 'Gruesome work' he said, but he got an extra ration of 2 pints of rum, one before breakfast, to make it easier.
He rarely spoke about the war other than occasionally with his friends who were also veterans in the pub back home in Oldham. 'No one would believe us' he told my father.
Shortly after the start of the 2nd war, a man in uniform approached his group in the pub stating that he understood that they had been in the first war and wondered if they would join the voluntary defence force. 'What would be be expected to do' asked my grandfather? 'Defend Oldham against the Germans' the man in uniform cheerily replied. He wasn't expecting my grandfather's response, 'If the Germans are in Oldham, don't you think we've lost the war?'
Many veterans of the first war were entirely disillusioned with the 'active idiots' that surfaced in such times. In the first war, he witnessed young lads who had been in the Boys Brigade being made into NCOs 'because they were used to rank and giving orders'.
They'd all bought the wartime line of the first war about making Britain a land fit for heros. He joined the East Lancs Regt. but was put in the 1/4th East Yorks Regt. and was in 'that March 1918 stunt'. That was the great german spring offensive which destroyed the 5th Army. Full battalion strength would normally be 1000 men but they were rarely at full strength. On the 21st March they were about 750 men all ranks. By the 30th March they were down to 3 officers and 36 men. They all returned to unemployment and the depression.
He rarely spoke about the war other than occasionally with his friends who were also veterans in the pub back home in Oldham. 'No one would believe us' he told my father.
Shortly after the start of the 2nd war, a man in uniform approached his group in the pub stating that he understood that they had been in the first war and wondered if they would join the voluntary defence force. 'What would be be expected to do' asked my grandfather? 'Defend Oldham against the Germans' the man in uniform cheerily replied. He wasn't expecting my grandfather's response, 'If the Germans are in Oldham, don't you think we've lost the war?'
Many veterans of the first war were entirely disillusioned with the 'active idiots' that surfaced in such times. In the first war, he witnessed young lads who had been in the Boys Brigade being made into NCOs 'because they were used to rank and giving orders'.
They'd all bought the wartime line of the first war about making Britain a land fit for heros. He joined the East Lancs Regt. but was put in the 1/4th East Yorks Regt. and was in 'that March 1918 stunt'. That was the great german spring offensive which destroyed the 5th Army. Full battalion strength would normally be 1000 men but they were rarely at full strength. On the 21st March they were about 750 men all ranks. By the 30th March they were down to 3 officers and 36 men. They all returned to unemployment and the depression.
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That last sentence says it all. My grandpa's came back to a life of poverty and for maternal grandpa disability and unemployment.
My pa was fit able seaman on leaving navy. Injured in factory accident 1949. Was refused any help from British Legion because my ma was working. Never bought a poppy after that, but he always gave generously to Salvation Army, as he said they were always first to assist any returning servicemen.
Bluetit1802
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The airfield at Tobruk after an air attack. Taken by dad.
Air attack on dad's desert convoy. Taken by dad
1941 at the Haifa camp. Taken by dad.
Hideout after loss of transport in the desert. Taken by dad.
The latrines at one of the desert camps. Taken by dad.
phoenix
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My OH's father was also with a unit attached to the 8th Army , a company of Basuto . He was an army chaplain so didn't actually bear arms. He was in civilian life a missionary in Lesotho (Basutoland) so spoke Sesotho ( born there and followed his father into the church) . It must have been difficult being a link between these men and non African British officers and NCOs.
I wish we had talked to him about his experiences. He would have had a very different perspective to most of the accounts we can read. From what I have read, there was at times a clash of cultures , racism is mentioned in some of the accounts and during the period not surprising .After the war ended, there was unrest and mutiny because they also ended up in Palestine and were not allowed to go home. The Basutos had signed up to fight the Germans ,not to get involved in a new war in Palestine . I'm not sure whether it relates to this period but I do know that my father in law was deeply affected by having to minister and remain with a soldier condemned to death.
Notwithstanding that, he must have enjoyed army life because after the end of the war he re-joined the army, spending quite a lot of time in Kenya where my husband was born and then Germany, eventually coming the England for the first time in the 1960s. When he left the army though , he stayed to become a parish priest in England. (and lived long enough to marry us and to christen our children)
I wish we had talked to him about his experiences. He would have had a very different perspective to most of the accounts we can read. From what I have read, there was at times a clash of cultures , racism is mentioned in some of the accounts and during the period not surprising .After the war ended, there was unrest and mutiny because they also ended up in Palestine and were not allowed to go home. The Basutos had signed up to fight the Germans ,not to get involved in a new war in Palestine . I'm not sure whether it relates to this period but I do know that my father in law was deeply affected by having to minister and remain with a soldier condemned to death.
Notwithstanding that, he must have enjoyed army life because after the end of the war he re-joined the army, spending quite a lot of time in Kenya where my husband was born and then Germany, eventually coming the England for the first time in the 1960s. When he left the army though , he stayed to become a parish priest in England. (and lived long enough to marry us and to christen our children)
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Lamont D
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[QUOTE="sanguine, post: 720007, member: 101256"
My ex next door neighbour was also in the 8th in North Africa and was involved in the landings on Crete. Once the locals found out about that on package holidays to Crete I don't think he ever had to pay for a drink or meal again!
Amazing people all of them, we owe them so much.[/QUOTE]
If you have visited Crete like I have the invasion is still talked about so much by the Greeks! We stayed close to Mamaras. A huge German war cemetery is there. They love the Brits!
My ex next door neighbour was also in the 8th in North Africa and was involved in the landings on Crete. Once the locals found out about that on package holidays to Crete I don't think he ever had to pay for a drink or meal again!
Amazing people all of them, we owe them so much.[/QUOTE]
If you have visited Crete like I have the invasion is still talked about so much by the Greeks! We stayed close to Mamaras. A huge German war cemetery is there. They love the Brits!
Lamont D
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I've seen a couple of them photos in books I'm certain. Thanks for sharing.
Yorksman
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The Salvation Army and the YMCA were very active at the front in the first war, providing the men with hot meals at reasonable prices. Egg and chips were favourite and made a welcome change to army rations. Conditions could be a bit grim though:
Places like Talbot House or Toc H in Poperinge in the Ypres Salient which acted as a refuge from the war for men who got a couple of days leave have become legend.
