War…..I missed it
I was born in 1950…..so I missed the Second World War…..but my dad was a great person for memories…I lived in the suburbs of Birmingham….a city in ruins from the German bombs….as was Coventry. As a child I remember going into the city to the old Market Hall and seeing the remains….and I realised many years later what my parents and their generation lived through…..no wonder they had back bone. Apparently we still had rationing…..food……clothes….amazing to think of it now…..my mom never threw away anything….and my dads home previous to their marriage was bombed to smithereens….because it was near the BSA factory….ammunition was made there….Imagine your home……gone….having to pick your way through rubble to see if anything of your life was worth keeping…..I have so much respect for their generation….so much.
I lived in a house that was on an estate that was being built during the war…..and many of the houses were occupied by American Services men…..we found their addresses on the walls when we redecorated…..and some houses even had drawings that the GI’s had done on the walls….haha……I think they were of ”ladies”. Some of the women on the estate apparently used to wander around the buildings…..hoping for stockings…..chocolates……oh the GI’s had all those things…..and apparently even German prisoners of war were housed there. My mom and dad used to be stopped by armed service men…..with bayonets…..just walking to there home……’friend or foe’..imagine.Then the Americans went to a local open space…..Sutton Park….and they were equipped……to go….and…..I have often thought………did they ever get home?….or……..did they perish on the beaches….I am eternally grateful that I missed the war………..we owe so many men and women so much….so that we can live in this country….free..Our countries are bound together……the UK Australia…New Zealand….America…by what happened in 1939-45……………..we should never forget that…just a few thoughts……so many people have so many memories….some passed down……and I find them fascinating……so thanks for the blogs people……XXXXXXXX M
I too, have a lot of respect for the generation who went through WW2, and find it all fascinating, and I agree that we should never forget it. Thanks for posting xx
1952 for me.My dad and various uncles went through it in various services, but all us kids ever heard from them was the silly stuff, the funny stuff.
I only found out that my Dad had been awarded a bravery medal from an old mate of his at his funeral 5 years ago.
Now i find myself doing the same thing with my kids. protect them from the horrors. don’t frighten them.
I have recently come to the conclusion that we, as parents should not protect them. Tell them the gory bits. Scare them. Make them realise there is no real glory.
Maybe then it will all stop.
No I don’t believe it will either
tbh Way……I don’t think it will stop either…….somewhere in the world we see war……there will never ever be world peace…….there is no glory at all in war……but…..I still think we have to defend our country……and that’s what they did isn’t it……against tyranny…..to me they are all heroes….anyone who stands against the ”bullies” is…..and there will always be casualties…..so sad….and I think in a way you are right…..our kids should realise……what sacrifices were made for them……peoples lives….thanks Way…..and all the people in the services…..we will never ever know the true cost…..never….xxxxx M
Thankyou for that Morvena.
My son was also born in that year.
As you know I did come through that war and it was a time when everyone was in the same boat as the saying goes.
Yes my generation do have much to talk about and I hope and pray that it will NEVER happen again, BUT knowing man and IF anything happens to start another war with the weapons that are available now it wont be anything like the war I lived through.
Your posting brought to mind the Italian POW’s we had round here with big circles stitched on the back of their grey coloured clothing they had been issued with.
Thanks for the memories.
so powerful Morv and yes, I admire that generation, they had strength of spirit, courageous and still managed to sing and have a laugh. They were certainly made of better stuff.
thank you for taking me on that journey with you.
jo xxx
I didnt miss the war I went all thru it even gt bombed out and was lucky toward the end to see all the big buildup to DDay
I look back and it seems like a different world——- was that really ME there?