Your dad doesn't look like he's been through a war here. So fresh faced. And your mum so romantically wistful. Not like the 'gash' selfies of today! You have inspired me to return to my grandparent's letters they wrote to each other and transcribe then. For when I semi retire in the New Year!!
beautiful portraits and a wonderful achievement. so glad you have had them published. I have just been typing up my father in laws memoirs of his school days in Hungary during the war and then his life as a refugee before making his way to Australia. So important to record the stories
Two lovely photos of your parents Hazel they do look very young little did they know what heartache was in front of them. I have just finished reading your book very interesting from start to finish and a harsh time for your Dad to endure.
Lovely pics of your parents Hazel , I have just had a wonderful surprise a cousin sent me some old family photos in among was 3 letters my Dad wrote home while in Egypt , but he too spent the majority of time as a POW
lovely portraits of your Mum and Dad. I definitely think these were taken pre war. I have seen photos of my Dad before the war and after and his eyes are totally different. Your Dad's eyes look too innocent for this photo to have been taken after the war.
What beautiful photographs. They look so young and innocent. I gather you've written a book about your father's time in a POW camp? I'd be interested in getting a copy for my dad - can you tell me what it is called? My dad wrote a book, 'A Gordon Highlander if ever there was one' on behalf of a friend, Bill Young, who had been a prisoner of war. Sadly Bill died before the book made it to publication.
Well done to you, Chris. The handwritten originals of my dad's diaries are lodged in the Second World War Experience Centre to whom I donated them for safekeeping and research. The centre has the aim of sourcing and recording as much information about the war as possible before that information is lost for ever.
p.s. Lew Chapman in Australia found, through a Google search, one of my 365 posts about a camp near Dresden where my dad had to work in a cement factory. His father was also in the same camp and we discovered that they had performed in the same camp concert: his dad did a sketch and my dad played the harmonica. Lew gave me the programme his dad had brought back and it is reproduced in the book. His father emigrated to Australia after the war - big technology/small world!!
Issi, thanks for your interest. The book is published on Amazon and this link takes you directly to it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Till-We-Meet-Again-Gunner/dp/154404870X My dad died in 1998 so, like your dad's friend, Bill, did not know about his diary being published.
I'm glad you found the book interesting. Although I know the contents very well by now, seeing my dad's story in a 'proper' book somehow gives it a different meaning for me.
I bought a copy of the diary and gave as a present to our dogsitter who looks after Jinks when we go on holiday and she said I look like my dad - the eyes!
Thanks everyone for your comments and interest. Having tried for so long to get my dad's diaries published, it's still quite surreal that it has actually happened.
Stunning portraits Hazel, what a handsome pair they were. Loving your book, I am about half way but slow as I'm too tired to read at night at the moment!
Beautiful portraits in wonderful condition - haven't had time to start reading your book but I have it in my hands as I have a few others where friends have finished putting together books started by their parent usually the Father ! It will go with me when my husband is called in for Papworth fir heart surgery and I can sit and read xxxxx
Hadn't thought of that, Phil. But after I started my strangers' project I realised that I had been drawn to portraiture in an informal way for a long time.
i look forward to reading the diaries as soon as Amazon deliver the book..
Glad to inspire you and I think you are right in that these portraits are pre-war.
I think it's important for the life of an ordinary PoW (no heroics) to be understood and I have been so lucky to find a publisher.
My dad first tried to get his diaries published in 1955 - so this has been a long time in the making!
Well done to you, Chris. The handwritten originals of my dad's diaries are lodged in the Second World War Experience Centre to whom I donated them for safekeeping and research. The centre has the aim of sourcing and recording as much information about the war as possible before that information is lost for ever.
p.s. Lew Chapman in Australia found, through a Google search, one of my 365 posts about a camp near Dresden where my dad had to work in a cement factory. His father was also in the same camp and we discovered that they had performed in the same camp concert: his dad did a sketch and my dad played the harmonica. Lew gave me the programme his dad had brought back and it is reproduced in the book. His father emigrated to Australia after the war - big technology/small world!!
Issi, thanks for your interest. The book is published on Amazon and this link takes you directly to it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Till-We-Meet-Again-Gunner/dp/154404870X My dad died in 1998 so, like your dad's friend, Bill, did not know about his diary being published.
I think it must have been quite emotional to receive those letters such a long time after your dad wrote them. But so good to have them.
I'm glad you found the book interesting. Although I know the contents very well by now, seeing my dad's story in a 'proper' book somehow gives it a different meaning for me.
I think that's very true. I have photos of my dad with me when I was aged possibly 7 or 8 and he still looks very tired and worn, smoking a cigarette.
I bought a copy of the diary and gave as a present to our dogsitter who looks after Jinks when we go on holiday and she said I look like my dad - the eyes!
Thanks everyone for your comments and interest. Having tried for so long to get my dad's diaries published, it's still quite surreal that it has actually happened.
Thank you, thank you!
Charmian, thank you and I wish your husband well for his heart surgery.
Thank you, Lois.
Hadn't thought of that, Phil. But after I started my strangers' project I realised that I had been drawn to portraiture in an informal way for a long time.
All things being equal, will post feedback on Amazon tomorrow.
Margo, thank you so much for your comments and I look forward to reading your review.