my dad in mono by quietpurplehaze

my dad in mono

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
Lovely to see this and I can highly recommend this book to anyone else reading this thread. It's a wonderful blend of stories and personal experience.
December 13th, 2020  
@casablanca

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.
December 13th, 2020  
A lovely portrait
December 13th, 2020  
Bep
A lovely photo of your Dad, Hazel.
December 13th, 2020  
Its a lovely portrait Hazel:)
December 13th, 2020  
I agree, I bought this book & enjoyed all the very interesting memories of life in a POW camp. The hope & comradeship of all those imprisoned shines out ....shows how small things can make such a difference to their lives while they were in there...food parcels etc. A good cause too Hazel.
December 13th, 2020  
A wonderful portrait photo of your father, Hazel.
December 13th, 2020  
It is a wonderful portrait :)
December 13th, 2020  
Lovely portrait!
December 13th, 2020  
@happypat

Pat, thank you for your lovely and interesting observations.
December 13th, 2020  
Beautiful b&w portrait.
December 13th, 2020  
He was a handsome chap.

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.
December 13th, 2020  
@onewing

Yes, I remember you being one of the first to read the book. It certainly was an emotional journey and a long one.
December 13th, 2020  
always nice to see this lovely photo of your Dad again Haze
December 13th, 2020  
Lovely portrait of your Dad Hazel. I enjoyed reading the interesting book and it is being passed round the family now. The Red Cross are still very busy helping people in the Covid crisis they do good work around the world.
December 14th, 2020  
Beautiful portrait. Sounds like a very interesting person. Glad you were able to make this happen.
December 14th, 2020  
I too bought the book when it came out and loved it! Your Dad’s attention to detail and writing it all down was a gift!
December 14th, 2020  
Lovely image of your dear dad.
December 14th, 2020  
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