My uncle has sent me a little more information about my grandfather's story. Alas, it does not have a happy ending.
By 1941 my grandparents had five children and grandad was still working at the docks, which was classed as vital work. However, he left his job and joined the army, the Royal Engineers, and saw quite a lot of action during the war. I am told he was involved in the hazardous task of mine clearing in North Africa which could not have been easy on the nerves.
On his return home after the war ended he was very ill and was admitted to hospital for a time. As well as his physical problems he was also suffering from what would now be called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which was not recognised back then.
He never really managed to fit back into civilian life and died in his fifties after suffering from Parkinson's disease during his final years.
I have vague memories of him from my early childhood but these are mainly of a shrunken man with severe tremors, unable to speak coherently and sitting in a wheelchair.
I am sad to realise that he suffered so, and that I never got to know him properly.
That is indeed so sad. Of course, he would not have been included in the nation's tally of war casualties - like many other men who were damaged by war but not immediately killed by it.
ReplyDeleteThere must have been so many of them, whose stories remain untold.
DeleteVery sad. Thanks for sharing your family story with us JayCee.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. Every one has a story to tell I suppose.
DeleteThese things always happen when it is too late don't they? I think most of us could tell some similar story from our past.
ReplyDeleteYours are always fascinating, Weaver.
DeleteMany of us as children pay little attention to older relatives, especially those that are ill. We regret it later.
ReplyDeleteYes, we certainly do.
DeleteI read your previous post and this one with interest. It’s sobering to learn what your grandfather went through. I am pleased for you that you can now have a glimpse into some of his life.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob. I wish that I had had the opportunity to get closer to him before his early death.
DeleteI am sorry to hear that your grandfather suffered so much.
ReplyDeleteLooking back on my grandparents and great aunts and great uncles, I always thought they were so old when I was a child. Now of course, I am older than they were during my youth!
Thanks for sharing your family stories, JayCee!
It is a sobering thought that I am now older than all of my grandparents at the age of their deaths.
DeleteSo hard to imagine what so many went through during the war …. No wonder so many suffered afterwards but so sad that there wasn’t any help for them.
ReplyDeleteSorry for lack of commenting …. Quite difficult, typing with left hand !!!! XXXX
I hope your broken bones mend quickly xxx
DeleteIt is always sad to hear about the unsung casualties of war. There were so many who gave their mental life if not their physical bodies to keep safe those of us who have come afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThey were treated very differently back then. No help just, get on with it.
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