This is my favourite photo of my father. It is how I remember him.
Posting for dec20words: memories, family, emotions
I first read my dad's wartime PoW diaries when I was in my teens, not too sure in retrospect if that was a good idea - but I think I 'pestered' him to let me read them. He always said that he would like to have them published and, at last, in 2017, I discovered that a photographer friend, Ian Douglas, had experience in self-publishing. He agreed to help me: I was very happy.
The book draws on my dad's personal diaries plus transcripts from his interview with the Imperial War Museum, and is illustrated with photos and documents he brought home, including his hand-drawn plans of camps in N Africa, Italy and Germany.
All aspects of the life of a PoW are covered and he observes the humanity in situations, sometimes even with touches of humour.
He writes about his capture at Tobruk, of rumours of the war which reach the POWs, of his experience in Dresden after the firebombing, of witnessing the arrival of the Russians in Dux.
He paints a picture of Christmas celebrations in the camps and describes work in the cement factory of Dyckerhoff und Widmann at Cossebaude, near Dresden. He itemises the contents of Red Cross food parcels, which he felt were key to the survival of PoWs. He even explains his method of hanging his vest out of the window in winter to try to get rid of the lice.
Comradeship was very important to him and he often includes his mates in his writings.
Reviews of the book can be found on Amazon where the book is available in paperback (£10) and kindle (4.99). ('Look inside' is currently available). My royalties will be donated to the Red Cross.
Till We Meet Again: Gunner Bert Martin: 1941 to 1945
I am sorry he is not here to see the publication. It has been an emotional journey but one which I am glad I made.
https://flic.kr/p/2kgoxNr
Thank you so much for your interseting comments. I think this is the absolute last post about the book. Many of my 365 friends have read it and it's always good to hear their opinion.
Pat, thank you for your lovely and interesting observations.
I bought the book when it was first released and thoroughly enjoyed it. It must have been such an emotional journey for you Hazel to get the book to print.
Yes, I remember you being one of the first to read the book. It certainly was an emotional journey and a long one.