Sheleen
09-07-2005, 7:22 PM
Due to my nans death this week, I have access to many documents and photo's... including my grandfathers New Testament - Active Service Edition.
dated 23/12/39 it lists his name, rank, number, and unit.
Before his death last year, my grandfather often told his war-stories... and although I knew war was horrific for him (as it was for most), I was more proud than ever I could say, that he was such a hero. Yet I believe he wasn't a decorated hero.
I smile when I recall the tale of a specialist troop, sent to shoot down german parachutists... accidentally killing a farmers prize bull and spattering his wife's washing with bulls blood (they mistook the bull and washing for a parachutist bent over gathering his 'chute).
I shudder at the story of how this same specialist troop was sent to an underground bunker, to kill the officers gathered there...only to find that they had all been killed already - nobody knew who had done this.
My mother still keeps the cross carved from a crashed warplane's cockpit-window.
I know that nomatter how many times I hear and read that WWII was 'a good war', in reality it was a bloody and horror-filled time, filled with loss and sadness for many. Yet this New testament is so well looked after - it looks almost as new. Inside, the first page reads:
A MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY THE KING
"To all serving in my Forces by sea or land, or in the air, and indeed, to all my people engaged in the defence of the Realm, I commend the reading of this book. For centuries the Bible has been a wholesome and strengthening influence in our national life, and it behoves us in these momentous days to turn with renewed faith to this Divine source of comfort and inspiration."
I would dearly love to know more of what my grandfathers duties were during the war... yet have found nothing online ... could this be because of the 'specialist troop' status? Is there somewhere could write to for further information at all?
Any information gratefully recieved.
dated 23/12/39 it lists his name, rank, number, and unit.
Before his death last year, my grandfather often told his war-stories... and although I knew war was horrific for him (as it was for most), I was more proud than ever I could say, that he was such a hero. Yet I believe he wasn't a decorated hero.
I smile when I recall the tale of a specialist troop, sent to shoot down german parachutists... accidentally killing a farmers prize bull and spattering his wife's washing with bulls blood (they mistook the bull and washing for a parachutist bent over gathering his 'chute).
I shudder at the story of how this same specialist troop was sent to an underground bunker, to kill the officers gathered there...only to find that they had all been killed already - nobody knew who had done this.
My mother still keeps the cross carved from a crashed warplane's cockpit-window.
I know that nomatter how many times I hear and read that WWII was 'a good war', in reality it was a bloody and horror-filled time, filled with loss and sadness for many. Yet this New testament is so well looked after - it looks almost as new. Inside, the first page reads:
A MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY THE KING
"To all serving in my Forces by sea or land, or in the air, and indeed, to all my people engaged in the defence of the Realm, I commend the reading of this book. For centuries the Bible has been a wholesome and strengthening influence in our national life, and it behoves us in these momentous days to turn with renewed faith to this Divine source of comfort and inspiration."
I would dearly love to know more of what my grandfathers duties were during the war... yet have found nothing online ... could this be because of the 'specialist troop' status? Is there somewhere could write to for further information at all?
Any information gratefully recieved.