My father fought with the Royal Artillery in Europe from 1939 to 1945. He sometimes talked about his war time friends but he never talked about the war itself. I know he was wounded twice with shrapnel. And I know from other sources that his regiment helped relieve the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. He sadly died in 1983.
Unbeknown to me, my late older brother applied for and got our father’s war service medals around 2010. My father had never collected them. He did have his “Record of Service” card which was issued to soldiers being discharged for identification should the soldier want to join the regimental association or seek any help from that association.
I was born after the war and I always knew my father as a very active pacifist. As I find out more about him now I can see why he turned that way. A number years ago I visited his grave and had a chat to him about it all. When I told Mum she thought I had gone crazy!!
@cutekitty@joansmor@beryl@mubbur@ludwigsdiana
Thanks for the much appreciated comments. I was born after the war and I always knew my father as a very active pacifist. As I find out more about him I can see why he was.
Priceless family heirlooms! Great photo. Your father was a true hero. So many of the veterans did not talk about their experiences, particularly if they liberated a death camp.
@angelar@mittens@illinilass@eudora@dkellogg
Thanks for the much appreciated comments. I am currently putting together a family history of Jean Falconer (Mum) and John Falconer (Dad) for future generations. It’s taking a lot longer than I thought!
What a beautiful image as a tribute to your dad. And a beautiful story to accompany it. It's wonderful learning about past generations, but always sad, I feel, that you didn't know certain things when the people concerned were alive. I always wish I'd asked my mum more. Too late now.
Lovely shot and tribute, thank you for sharing it with us. They say that no one hates war as much as an old soldier.
My grandfather talked about it extremely rarely. I do remember one time, when I was very young, him talking about the night that he and his little brother ran into each other during the Liberation of the Netherlands. He didn't seem happy about it. Being a kid whose whole lifetime had been shorter than that war and having big brothers I lived with and saw everyday, I was surprised by his reaction and said "But weren't you HAPPY to see your brother again?" and I still remember him saying to me "I was very happy to see him--" and then with a change in his voice "but not there. Part of why I went was the hope that my brothers wouldn't have to."
Nicely composed image and beautifully crisp detail and a poignant and interesting narrative to accompany it. No wonder your father was a pacifist; having to relieve Bergen-Belsen must have been a harrowing experience.
I noticed the stamp on your father's record of service says Sidcup, Kent. I'm from a town further south in the same county.
My dad didn't talk about 'his' war much except a little bit when we watched the Armistice Day service (he'd joined the Royal Marines during the 1926 General Strike because he couldn't do his regular job).
Great story and tribute to your father. Our parents didn't talk to our children about the war. Adults preferred to remain silent for safety, and the communist authorities falsified history. Now there remains a hole into which every demago tries to throw something. But I don't believe anyone anymore.
So many returned soldiers must have had to live with dreadful memories of what they had been through. Surely it must have been so for your Dad with the experiences that you outlined. It is marvelous that you have his medals and his record of service. One of the true heroes of our nation.
This is such a great memento to have. I can't imagine what effect liberating the death camp would have had on the soldiers. It was probably horrific both in sight and smell. My Dad did not talk much about the war either.
The men and women who fought during wars saw terrible things. If one is a soldier, one must follow orders or face significant consequences. BTW, you're not crazy. Talk to loved ones in whatever way you want.
Very interesting history. You must be very proud of your father with his achievement. Those 4 medals are something to cherish. He must have been a brave man.
Thanks for the much appreciated comments. I was born after the war and I always knew my father as a very active pacifist. As I find out more about him I can see why he was.
Thanks for the much appreciated comments. I am currently putting together a family history of Jean Falconer (Mum) and John Falconer (Dad) for future generations. It’s taking a lot longer than I thought!
Ian
My grandfather talked about it extremely rarely. I do remember one time, when I was very young, him talking about the night that he and his little brother ran into each other during the Liberation of the Netherlands. He didn't seem happy about it. Being a kid whose whole lifetime had been shorter than that war and having big brothers I lived with and saw everyday, I was surprised by his reaction and said "But weren't you HAPPY to see your brother again?" and I still remember him saying to me "I was very happy to see him--" and then with a change in his voice "but not there. Part of why I went was the hope that my brothers wouldn't have to."
I noticed the stamp on your father's record of service says Sidcup, Kent. I'm from a town further south in the same county.
My dad didn't talk about 'his' war much except a little bit when we watched the Armistice Day service (he'd joined the Royal Marines during the 1926 General Strike because he couldn't do his regular job).
Thank you all for your comments and own stories. It all brought a tear to my eyes. Thanks again.
Thanks for the much appreciated comments. He was indeed a very nice man.
Thanks Wendy.