MY father was in the Navy WW2 sailing in the North Atlantic Conveys and also spent alot of time in the Med. He sailed on several ships most notably the SS Chiswick. He was hospitalised after a direct hit on his ship whilst at dock in Sunderland harbour and spend a long time in hopsital conalescing before returning to sea on another ship (Can't remember the name at present). I recently took him over to the West Coast of Scotland near KinlochEwe where alot of the Conveys would head put from to reminiss. He talks fondly about his memories of his days in the Navy even after suffering terrible blast wounds in the Sunderland incident requiring him to wear a face mask for several months, (I think he especially likes Sunderland Nurses
).
My mother was in the WRAF and trained as a joiner repairing Wings of damaged planes, mainly Mosquitos. Based on Mums cooking it's a wonder those planes ever flew
Ah bless her
My Mums Dad fought as an infantry man in WW1 and always welled up when we asked any questions(seconds before getting whacked from my Father for asking questions). He was in the trenches in the thick of it all and had a real rough time like we can't imagine.
My Dads Dad I never met. He was a boy in WW1 and just missed subscription. He was a Rifleman in WW2 and got blood poisening from barbed wire during an exercise for the landings. As I understand it he became very weak and virtually dependant on my Grandmother suffering huge bouts of depression. Due to this he took his own life, its not a subject my father talks about as he found the body.
My Mums Mum was one of the field girls who helped out on the farm. My Dads Mum work in a Factory in Luton during the War, I can't remember which one.
My Dad has all his medals and some of his uniform (Hats, trousers etc). My Mother claimed all her medals approx 5 years ago after me badgering her to get them.
The only other relative that I can recall on is my Fathers Cousin, Leiutenant Harold Arthur Cherry. He was a Leiutenant in the Royal Artillery and died in Battle. My Father always thought that he was killed in Battle in Germany however I helped my Dad locate his details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website and it turns out he survived that incident but was killed in action later in the War in Italy. He is burried in Salerno Graveyard in Italy.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/SearchRe...=1945&force=&nationality=&send.x=31&send.y=15
I'd like to take my Dad to Salerno one day but at 86 years old he's not keen to travel too far (even though his Passport is free).
AndyT.
PS What a great thread this is.