Old Style Daily Tuesday 12 April 2022

Gers

snoozer said:

Also my grandad enrolled as a medical orderly in WW1 because he didn't want to kill anyone. He was at a field hospital which was about to be taken by the Germans so the orderlies drew lots to see who would stay with the patients who couldn't be moved. He ended up as a POW for 18 months. He always had kind words for the German people though, saying they used to throw food over the wire to the prisoners. I wish I knew more but he died when I was 6 and the few facts I have were gleaned from an aunt. 

That's really interesting Snoozer - my DM wrote about British soldiers giving the young girls food and even an unwanted overcoat which she had made into a blanket and an old leather belt which she gave to a cobbler to mend her shoes.

It was very difficult for her post-war as she married her Scottish soldier, my beloved Dad's family weren't too happy about him bringing a German woman back as his wife.  She won them over! Nothing I have read so far from any of my family shows anything other than contempt for the war and the regime which brought Germany to its knees.  In fact, one of her great-uncles died in a concentration camp because of his resistance work in Berlin.

My father joined the Army as a regular to avoid working in the coal mines of Lanarkshire. He had to turn down a scholarship to the local grammar school as his family (15 live children and Protestant) couldn't afford his uniform.  It may make me sound really old and grumpy but this current generation have no idea of the privations which their ancestors endured.

It's only because of my DM's and DD's MSE ways that I can enjoy a comfortable retirement and it's because of their difficulties during WW2 that they learned to not waste food, darn clothes and save everything they could.  Every day I salute them.

 

poppy811

Totally fed up with comments on another post.  Apparently not allowed an opinion any more.  Very cautious about making any thoughts in the future.  Will stick to daily thread only.

dp1

Gers - it must have been so difficult for your mum when she came back with your dad - how did they meet? ( If that's not too nosy a question?)
She must have had to work hard to win his family over.
Well I'm been having a browse while my hair dye covers the silver - I l had it cut this morning.
Had little one for a little while over lunch while DD went to a doctors appointment and got the car packed up. Then they went away for their caravan holiday - little one was very excited! I'll not see them till I get home next Tuesday now.
Better go and rinse x

Gers

dp1 said:

Gers - it must have been so difficult for your mum when she came back with your dad - how did they meet? ( If that's not too nosy a question?)

Not nosy at all - she found work for the British Council in Hanover and Hameln (Pied Piper land) and he was part of the occupying Allies.  She was 21 years old.  This work gave her access to travel permits, a place to stay and enhanced food rations.  Who'd thought she'd find a husband.  She did have to work hard to win over my Dad's family though I now have no contact with that side of the family.  Once my Dad's youngest and last surviving brother died we lost touch. Must be loads of cousins around only 100 miles away - odd.

She also had to work hard to pass Scottish qualifications (in a foreign language) and then matriculate at university.  Her achievements are astounding.  Many others overcame all the post-war difficulties to make the most of their hard-earned freedom, she wasn't alone on either side.

The history of WW2 is fascinating and I'm in awe of ALL those who came through it.  I have some kind of uncle / third cousin who was an officer on the Bismark when it was torpedoed, and survived.  Only two did.  All this confuses me somewhat!

Gers

poppy811 said:

Totally fed up with comments on another post.  Apparently not allowed an opinion any more.  Very cautious about making any thoughts in the future.  Will stick to daily thread only.

You are cherished here!

bellabella

Gers Just proves the saying Love will overcome . I always love hearing your mums life diaries so similar to my own mums she kept a diary all her life just one or two lines  must be a teacher/lecturer thing x 

dp1

Thanks Gers - she had a fascinating life and as you say obviously worked hard to make the most of it.
Just makes it so hard to fathom why wars are still started doesn't it?

Poppy - I once posted on a different post and wished I hadn't bothered!

Just had a hilarious phone call from DD and little one in a hot tub - it doesn't look very relaxing - but they're happy!

Floss

Gers, it's a shame when families lose touch. My mum's brother-in-law didn't tell us when our cousin died, we think because his wife & my mum were both dead so the connection was lost. Luckily one of my brothers is in touch with another cousin.