My Dad by onewing

My Dad

I am thinking about taking part in the half and half theme this month, but I couldn't start it on the 1st May because I had planned to post this photo today.

This is a photo of my Dad. Today would have been his 102nd birthday. Sadly his life was much shorter.

This photo was taken during World War 2 when he was in the Grenadier Guards.

Shortly after the war he met and married my Mum. In 1951 he was diagnosed with cancer of the spine and lungs. Three months after his diagnosis he died, he was only 36 years old. I was 3 years old when he passed away and only have very vague memories of him.

I really wish I could have shared a lot more birthdays with my Dad, but at least I can wish him a Happy Birthday today by sharing his photo on 365.

Thanks so much to everyone who commented and fav'd my 3D orb photo yesterday, I am thrilled with the response.

I do hope that some of you will click on the link and make 3D orb photos of your own. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKbUM5NLJ_g

Lovely tones. Could almost be a sketch
May 3rd, 2017  
Ahh, a lovely photo and love story but so sad that he died at 36. My children were 7 and 4 when their Dad died and my son particularly has suffered badly from unresolved grief.
You have had much heartache in your life Babs, you're a very brave and resolute woman, I do admire you. X
May 3rd, 2017  
Oh that is sad that you grew up without your Dad... he looks a very proud man ..
May 3rd, 2017  
Such a coincidence...... my Mum was also born on 1st May 1915 & would have been 102 this week.
We were lucky though as she lived until she was 94 yrs old.
I remembered her by visiting one of her favourite local places .... see my Bluebell Wood photo posted 1st May.
We never forget our parents do we ?
May 3rd, 2017  
He looks such a lovely man xx so sad that you couldn't have got to know him.
May 3rd, 2017  
How sad, he was too young. He is alive in your heart, 102.
May 3rd, 2017  
This is a lovely portrait of your dad. Hard to lose a father so young. My children were 2 and 10 when they lost theirs. Too young to have many memories of him, which would be the same for you. They have a lot of people who share stories about him and I hope you have had the same.
May 3rd, 2017  
My thoughts are with you and your Dad on this very special day.
May 3rd, 2017  
Sam
Happy Birthday to your late Dad - it is such a shame that you didn't get to spend more time with him. I'm sure you know he is always keeping an eye on you! On a brighter note, he shares a birthday with me........which I think makes him and I very special people xx
May 3rd, 2017  
What a great image of your father Babs, its so sad you didn't get the opportunity to know your Dad or he to see you growing up:)
May 3rd, 2017  
So sad, Babs, thank you for letting us share this special day...
May 3rd, 2017  
great photo
May 3rd, 2017  
What a sad story! How sad to have escaped death in the war to die later because of a cruel illness! Thank you for sharing such strong emotions with us.
May 3rd, 2017  
Happy Birthday to you Dad! You love for him will never end. :)
May 3rd, 2017  
Way too young. A lovely tribute to your Dad Babs :)
May 3rd, 2017  
Such a sad story Babs and I am sorry that you missed out on sharing your life with him. A lovely way to remember him on this special day x
May 3rd, 2017  
A lovely image, so sorry he was taken so soon
May 3rd, 2017  
A lovely tribute, Babs.
May 3rd, 2017  
A wonderful portrait shot and tribute to your father.
May 3rd, 2017  
Wonderful tribute to your dad, Babs.
May 3rd, 2017  
So sad to grow up without your dad. What a wonderful idea to share his photo on his special day.
May 3rd, 2017  
It is a great photo of your handsome father, but a very sad story. Lovely to post this remembrance of him.
May 3rd, 2017  
A wonderful tribute photo, he looks like a kind and thoughtful man.
May 3rd, 2017  
It's so good that you have this photo as a memento of your dad,Babs. What a tough time it would have been for your mum and what a lovely tribute you have made to your dad today.
May 3rd, 2017  
I love old pics like this. He looks like a handsome fellow.
May 3rd, 2017  
He looks a lovely man, and so sad for you that you never really knew him. Good that you can keep the memory alive through posting this shot.
May 3rd, 2017  
A lovely photo and a thoughtful memory, it's nice to know you still remember him.
May 3rd, 2017  
How lovely that you have this to remember him by. My hubby's dad would have been 108 now if he had lived. I never met him but photos of him are very precious. Happy birthday thoughts to him along with you today x
May 3rd, 2017  
How very young your dad was when he died. Seems a cruel& unfortunate end to a brave soldier serving his country. To have him return from the war then die from cancer is very sad. Your mum must have been devastated & it's sad for you that you have such little memory if him. A lovely portrait.
May 3rd, 2017  
Great photo of your Dad. Thanks for sharing this with us
May 3rd, 2017  
Yes, they were different times (well, just thinking about that, maybe not so different nowadays). It's nice to remember. I think about my Dad every day (he passed away 25 years ago).
May 3rd, 2017  
Lovely photo of your father and no doubt a very precious one.
May 3rd, 2017  
Beautiful portrait of your father. Sorry you lost him so young!
May 3rd, 2017  
A lovely portrait and I'm sorry you didn't have many years spent with him Fav
May 3rd, 2017  
Lovely commemoration of your dad. I am sorry you lost him so early.
May 3rd, 2017  
Such s wonderful photo of your dad. Very special to still have it and enjoy it when you want.
May 4th, 2017  
So sorry you lost your dad so young, Happy Birthday to your dad!
May 4th, 2017  
That's so sad to have lost him so young. I also lost my dad the cancer but feel blessed to have had him most of my life. He died at age 76 .
May 4th, 2017  
Inspiring tribute to your Dad, how unfair that he died so young. Must've been hard on your Mum.
May 4th, 2017  
Sorry your Dad died so young. It's a wonderful photo of him.
May 4th, 2017  
I'm so sad you lost your dad at such a young age (for both of you). My mother died at 52 and that was hard enough, but 36 really is young. This is a nice portrait of him and it's also a nice way to start off your month.
May 4th, 2017  
Such a lovely tribute to your Dad and a lovely image of him
May 4th, 2017  
a beautiful tribute
May 4th, 2017  
A beautiful and very sad tribute to read. That must have been so hard on your mom and you.
May 4th, 2017  
@helenm2016 @jackie8 @julzmaioro @dizzyd @angiedanielle24 @yaorenliu @littleconnie @sarahlth @gigiflower @pcoulson @happysnaps @pusspup @sangwann @novab @hermann @nicolecampbell @jesperani @merrelyn @seattlite @mittens @claudiet @helenhall @hvansteenburgh @quietpurplehaze @epcello @dolphin @craftymeg @casablanca @happypat @bkbinthecity @peadar @flowerfairyann @kwind @rosiekind @danette @louannwarren @radiogirl @lesip @golftragic @loweygrace @olivetreeann @dawnee @twinsplusone @taffy Thank you all so much for your lovely moving comments. I would love to reply individually to each of you, but we have been out all day with the walking group today and only got home late this afternoon. Now I am home again I want to catch up on your photos.

My Mum never complained about anything in the whole of her life. She got married just before WW2 in 1938 and gave birth to my sister in 1942. When Anita (my sister) was 7 months old her Dad was killed in the war. After the war Mum met and married my Dad and they were only married 5 years when he died of cancer. When I was about 10 years old Mum married again and Ken (Pop as we called him) died in 1994 and Mum died 5 days later. She certainly had more than her share of heartache and I hope I have inherited at least some of her resilience.

May 4th, 2017  
@onewing She must have been quite a woman to cope with all that tragedy and still soldier on.
May 4th, 2017  
@onewing What a tragic story of your Mum... but that generation just got on with it didn't they...
May 4th, 2017  
@onewing

Babs, thank you for sharing your mum's and your story. She was obviously one brave and strong lady and I think that you have inherited a definite share of her resilience. You cope so well. You have helped me, long distance , for which I am grateful. Even though I have never had the pleasure of meeting you face to face, I am proud and thankfiul to know you. Take care. xx
May 4th, 2017  
Thanking you for your share take care
May 4th, 2017  
Great resilience I would say. My sister @kelly2, lost her first sweetheart to a motor bike accident. He was racing at The Isle of Man TT. Her 1st husband died of lung cancer when the girls were young and her present husband had MS. She too is remarkably resilient, I think she gets it from my mum who buried 4 children and I granddaughter.
May 4th, 2017  
A great tribute to you Dad , And a sad story.
May 4th, 2017  
He's still here Babs because he'll always be a part of you.
May 4th, 2017  
You wrote a beautiful tribute Babs, so sad to read. Your dad looks like he was a very fine man.
May 4th, 2017  
Beautiful tribute Babs
May 6th, 2017  
I lost my dad when I was 27 - and I so wish I had longer
May 7th, 2017  
what a wonderful photo of your real Aussie looking dad. So sad for you and of course your mum that you lost him at such a young age.
May 7th, 2017  
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