In remembrance of my father , Squadron Leader, 9th Squadron, 5 Group, Navigator, Lancasters,
Bomber Command.
Survived 31 Opps .
One of a brave Crew.
I have thought long & hard about posting this photo today but with the unveiling by the Queen of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park I thought it fitting.
War is a devastating situation for everyone whoever is right or wrong & each country must defend their homeland to the best of their ability.
Many lives on both sides were killed during WW2 & we think of all of them.
Men from Canada, Australia, New Zealand & other Commomwealth countries together with British airmen did what they had to despite the consequences.
All had the single hope that they would get home.
Let us pray that the world learns to live in peace.
This is a great post! It's very special because it's so personal for you and what you share is so right! Those of us who have lived in more recent years take so much for granted at times, even though we have had associations with many who were involved. Prayers for peace are really important at every level!
@sarah19@jtookey150@seanoneill Thank you all so much..I must say I was mighty relieved when the first comment came through & it was positive! All our family were very proud of our dad but he never ever talked about his war days. Sadly he died at 57 years old so will never know that him & others like him have finally got the recognition they deserved, be it right or wrong!
what a lovely tribute Pat, my grandfather and great great uncle were in second and first wars respectively...my GGUncle had his leg bombed off - I remember as a small child drumming on Horace his wooden leg...both were brave and amazing men...we should never forget the sacrifices they made for us.
@sparkle What a lovely & unusual memory Juliette of your great great uncle Horace. We have lived in relatively peaceful times except for serving soldiers & have been lucky not to have lived through the horrors of war. Thank you for your thoughts.
Don't apologize for this great photo and your very moving comment, Pat. You Dad was a hero ... this is a wonderful tribute to him and all of those men.
I thought of you today Pat!! About time - can you imagine how terrifying it must have been to go up in one of those - especially the rear gunners who hardly ever survived. It's only with the benefit of hindsight and hard won freedom that we can have the luxury of criticising. I've always thought they've been very badly treated - they were following orders and trying to defend our freedom. Very handsome too!! BTW my neighbour taught me to drive and told me a story of a young German man lodging with his in-laws in the mid 1930's because his father-in-law managed a cotton mill in Bamber Bridge. They got on well and he became part of the family. During the war the factory was bombed and the bomber was brought down and the airmen captured. And guess who was navigating? Now that was a moral dilemma - friendship or country?
Its a gorgeous post, touching for everyone and for me as well, we lost many of the family there as many others, your words are true lets pray for them and the world in piece. They all were great people & great generation. Your father is beautiful and great too. Wonderful tribute.
@judithg well that is a cautionary tale & an amazing story..how very difficult for that young man. I thought it was very moving today to see all those old soldiers remembering their comrades. The memorial is stunning, I love the worn faces & the men looking upwards to see if their fellow men are coming in safely. My sister txt me tonight & we are arranging a trip to London to have a look ourselves in the near future. We bought some handfuls of poppies for the fly past & had similar words to the ones I put above placed in the Time Capsule to be placed under the monument.
@nyusha Thank you Anna & we should all remember with love & pride our men & women serving their country in war. Russia too has lost many young men in the futility of war... we salute them.
Have read every word of every post, have tears in my eyes now, as you grow older you realise what these brave Men and Women sacrificed so that we may live free lives, thanks for sharing this Pat x
@cleanfreak Lovely words Carole I don't think any of the later generations could ever understand the terrors of being in those planes night after night & this holds true for the German airforce too.
A great photo and well done for bringing your dad to our attention. It is vital that we do remember our predecessors and all that they went through in making the world a safer and more just place. Yes, there is still much for us to do to that end, but our parents and grandparents all are to be celebrated on days like this. "Celebrate" not war, or sepia images, but celebrate them as real living, loving dynamic people who were here just before us!
Pat, it's a great tribute, and something to be very proud of. War period, is a terrible thing, but a part of our history. Hats off to all those who served in thge military no mater where they were in defense of their Country. My Grandfather served in the US Infantry WWI, and again later, and he was one of the fortunate ones who came home.
this is a beautiful tribute, Pat. My mother's only brother, the uncle I never met, for who I am named, was killed in WWII. It was so devastating to my mother's family that it has literally colored my whole life. The reverberations of war go on and on. . .thank you for posting this.
This is a wonderful tribute. Seeing the beaches of Normandy last month and hearing the staggering statistics really made me think of the thousands of men who perished, from so many countries....and I think of their families...mothers who lost their sons...and those who must have been worried sick about their children fighting. And when those soldiers returned, how challenging to start up their lives again and try to have some sort of normalcy. No wonder he didn't talk about it. Glad you posted this.
@digitalrn Thank you Rick for your kind comments, your grandfather was another brave man & they should be praised for their patriotism. Our Bomber Command never got any recognition for doing as they were told & were largely pilloried at the end of the war for doing their duty. There was considerable shame about the amount of bombing especially over Dresden & they were shoved to one side with no campaign medal or any recognition at all even though 55,573 airmen lost their lives.
@stepheesue Thank you Stephanie & you are right whole families are affected. There was an article in the Daily Mail today about wives & girl friends having to live with their men folk going off every night in these planes & how they had to live for those few hours together not knowing if they would ever meet again.
The poet John Milton wrote'' they also serve who only stand & wait'.
@bpaquette Thank you Barbara! I have been really touched by the response I have had to this posting. I was worried that it would be taken as gloating & obviously there are all nationalities on this site who might want to forget the whole episode so it was with great relief... every one has been so positive. It was a terrible time for all & everyone!
If anyone is offended by this OUTSTANDING tribute, they need a reality check! This is a wonderful tribute to your beloved daddy. I applaud you for putting up such a personal image. I'm American and I value the sacrifice of every person who has strived for peace. Bless your heart... and thank you for sharing this.
What a wonderful tribute to your father, Pat! He would be proud of you. And thank you for remembering all the other nationalities that helped in the war as well.
Your father in this photo looks so young and yet he was skilled enough to survive all those ops. I was enthralled to read right through all these comments and you started this... so thanks!
@kwiksilver@grannysue@vickisfotos@maggiemae@swilde
My father would have been 27 when this photo was taken so not as young as some of them who were only babies really. Terrible to think of all soldiers in that war leaving home & going out to fight & fly in those flimsy machines. Thanks to every one of you for your wonderful comments. Bless you all.
Pat, it's a beautiful image, it's a lovely tribute to your father. It's very poignant and you should be proud of your Dad and proud that you posted and shared it with your friends on 365. The warmth from your friends on here proves you were correct to post the image . Phil
The poet John Milton wrote'' they also serve who only stand & wait'.
My father would have been 27 when this photo was taken so not as young as some of them who were only babies really. Terrible to think of all soldiers in that war leaving home & going out to fight & fly in those flimsy machines. Thanks to every one of you for your wonderful comments. Bless you all.