Just recently I had chance to see for the first time my dads Operations Log Book from WW11.
Interesting reading it made too but I was touched to see the entry for the 26th July.
In among the references to bombing raids to Hamburg & other German cities he had written for that date:
Squires Gate ( Blackpool where he was based at the time) on the occasion of a happy event.....my birthday!
I have had a lovely birthday weekend...out all day yesterday & lots of phone calls & visitors today.
Thank you all for your lovely Happy Birthday wishes for today ....I love you all!
Three good things:
1. Friends.
2. A card from Harry....a very rare occasion!
3. Talking to all my three children today.
No year though Pat ;0) That's a lovely entry - he was flying a lot wasn't he? After reading A God in Ruins you realise how amazing it was that he kept coming home. 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30 - not many days off...
@judithg No indeed I never looked at the dates before.......interesting reading as it totted up all the sortes he went on each month....no year, wasn't I lucky!
Well, imagine reading this! I expect this is kept in a museum or someplace safe. You haven't said if he survived the war but I would presume he did as you would have said. Hurray for log books! Glad your birthday was full of joy!
Such a great record! You comment about a good thing being "talking to all 3 children today" made me also stop and think - How many times I have told mine two to please stop talking and give me a 5 mins break... But a couple of years from now I am likely to be missing it so much! Thanks for the reminder.
This is a treasure, Pat! And like @judithg, having just finished 'A God in Ruins', it is so much more meaningful. Love his notation regarding your arrival on 7/26. So many successful runs...he really beat the odds. I love this post. That log book is amazing. A fav!
It sounds like you had a lovely birthday!
@vera365 You are so right Vera....enjoy it while you can! Two of mine live the other side of the world so even more important when it's not a daily incurrance.......they have all just np been over for a visit so no grumbles there!
@peggysirk yes indeed Peggy it did make you think about those young boys up there in the sky....I count myself very fortunate to live in the relatively simple years I have.....big changes in the world but no wars affecting me personally ......frightening changes going on now! I had a lovely birthday thank you...lots of cards which is more important to me & phone calls visits & trips out. What more could you wish for?
Pleased you have had a wonderful Birthday weekend
It sounds like you had a lovely birthday!