Who did your family lose in the world wars?
Discussion
Since we already have the war picture thread, and one about what we're all doing on Sunday, and because I like history, I thought I would pose this question.
Who did your family lose in either world war?
Who in your family fought in either world war and lived to return home?
Both sides of my family had men on the front lines. My maternal grandmother had five uncles, all of whom went to the trenches in the first world war. One was gassed but survived, one died at the third battle of Ypres (Wipers!), and another was killed...well, we don't know where, or where he was buried. The first one that died was, so the story goes, found in the field hospital by one of the brothers who was able to give the staff all his details, details which the War Graves Commission kept and which helped us find him. The other was not so lucky, there are five dead soldiers that share his name and we cannot tell which one is ours.
My maternal grandfather was old enough to fight in the second world war but was exempt from service as he was a coal miner, instead he was part of the Dad's Army.
My paternal grandmother's father lied about his age to join the Italian army and ended up being posted on the Alps. He survived and his discharge papers from the army show that he was already planning on moving to London. He could not fight during the second world war, but he and the family had to put up with a lot of abuse and discrimination, to the point where my Nan's brothers changed their surname after the war to sound more "english", both served in the RAF although I'm not sure if they ever saw combat. My Nan was evacuated and went through hell, but rather than bring her back to London the whole family moved out to Buckinghamshire.
My paternal grandfather's father fought in the 1st war, and then returned to drive the London buses. I think he fought in the 2nd war as well but I'm not sure, but if he did he then returned again to...drive the London buses! XD His son, my grandfather, was too young to fight in the 2nd war but did serve in Northern Ireland.
We know more about some family members than we do about others because some of them just didn't like to talk about what they did. They went out there to do a job, did it, came back, end of story.
My boyfriend's grandfather spent some time in a prisoner of war camp, and during the second world war his Dutch grandparents were locked up in a concentration camp
his Mum thinks that there is some Jewish ancestry in the family as her grandmother used to use words that weren't Dutch and eventually turned out to be Hebrew, but neither of her parents would talk about it and have now both passed away so it remains a mystery.
Come on then chaps and chapesses, family war stories!
Who did your family lose in either world war?
Who in your family fought in either world war and lived to return home?
Both sides of my family had men on the front lines. My maternal grandmother had five uncles, all of whom went to the trenches in the first world war. One was gassed but survived, one died at the third battle of Ypres (Wipers!), and another was killed...well, we don't know where, or where he was buried. The first one that died was, so the story goes, found in the field hospital by one of the brothers who was able to give the staff all his details, details which the War Graves Commission kept and which helped us find him. The other was not so lucky, there are five dead soldiers that share his name and we cannot tell which one is ours.
My maternal grandfather was old enough to fight in the second world war but was exempt from service as he was a coal miner, instead he was part of the Dad's Army.
My paternal grandmother's father lied about his age to join the Italian army and ended up being posted on the Alps. He survived and his discharge papers from the army show that he was already planning on moving to London. He could not fight during the second world war, but he and the family had to put up with a lot of abuse and discrimination, to the point where my Nan's brothers changed their surname after the war to sound more "english", both served in the RAF although I'm not sure if they ever saw combat. My Nan was evacuated and went through hell, but rather than bring her back to London the whole family moved out to Buckinghamshire.
My paternal grandfather's father fought in the 1st war, and then returned to drive the London buses. I think he fought in the 2nd war as well but I'm not sure, but if he did he then returned again to...drive the London buses! XD His son, my grandfather, was too young to fight in the 2nd war but did serve in Northern Ireland.
We know more about some family members than we do about others because some of them just didn't like to talk about what they did. They went out there to do a job, did it, came back, end of story.
My boyfriend's grandfather spent some time in a prisoner of war camp, and during the second world war his Dutch grandparents were locked up in a concentration camp
his Mum thinks that there is some Jewish ancestry in the family as her grandmother used to use words that weren't Dutch and eventually turned out to be Hebrew, but neither of her parents would talk about it and have now both passed away so it remains a mystery.Come on then chaps and chapesses, family war stories!
sadly i have no idea. all grandparents died before i was born, some of nasty diseases. don't know a lot about my family history as my parents were only young when their parents died so never been up for discussing it in depth. i know one of my grandads was in the RAF as we have a photo of him in uniform.
thinking of getting my mum all the gubbins to research the family trees for christmas. she's retired now so should have plenty of time to delve into it.
thinking of getting my mum all the gubbins to research the family trees for christmas. she's retired now so should have plenty of time to delve into it.
served in N.I, My grandfather survived WW2, so yeah we didnt loose anyone, os im not really sure why i posted.... A cousin of mine (he was of the same generation as my parents) served in the RAF during World War 2. Although he didn't die in active service, when in India he contracted malaria and died after returning home in 1948.
I still have his RAF forage cap as a prized possession.
Also, he was Irish (from south of the border) amd had no obligation to join in the war effort (Eire was neutral) Therfore, he joined up completely volutarilly to " do his bit". Even though I never met him, I have huge respect for what he did and the sacrifice he ultimately paid.
I still have his RAF forage cap as a prized possession.
Also, he was Irish (from south of the border) amd had no obligation to join in the war effort (Eire was neutral) Therfore, he joined up completely volutarilly to " do his bit". Even though I never met him, I have huge respect for what he did and the sacrifice he ultimately paid.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 6th November 17:33
My Grand father was in the Navy in WW1. My father was all over the place in the RAF in WW2, Mainly on the ground but joined Air crew and went to the U.S. to learn to fly. I had one Uncle, Eric, in the Army who served in North Africa fighting Rommel's lot, unfortunately my Uncle passed away this summer aged 84.
Another uncle fought in the Spanish civil war, lost, escaped and ended up bumping into the FFL, where he and his spanish comrades were given the ultimatum to fight with the FFL or ????, he/they chose to fight with the FFL and ended up in Norway fighting the Germans, losing yet again and being evacuated by the navy and dropped off in Hull, again with his colleagues. The story(Father's best recollection) has it he and his comrades camped outside the hospital in Hull until their wounded comrades were ready to fight again, such was their comradery. They were shipped down South where they stayed till they joined a force, forget the name, that evetually spearheaded one of the D-Day landings. He ended up being shot and wounded as he helped clear the streets of Dunkirk and was shipped back to England, where he met, fell in love and married my Auntie. Both lived a long and happy life but have since passed away. They share a grave in Poole.
Another uncle fought in the Spanish civil war, lost, escaped and ended up bumping into the FFL, where he and his spanish comrades were given the ultimatum to fight with the FFL or ????, he/they chose to fight with the FFL and ended up in Norway fighting the Germans, losing yet again and being evacuated by the navy and dropped off in Hull, again with his colleagues. The story(Father's best recollection) has it he and his comrades camped outside the hospital in Hull until their wounded comrades were ready to fight again, such was their comradery. They were shipped down South where they stayed till they joined a force, forget the name, that evetually spearheaded one of the D-Day landings. He ended up being shot and wounded as he helped clear the streets of Dunkirk and was shipped back to England, where he met, fell in love and married my Auntie. Both lived a long and happy life but have since passed away. They share a grave in Poole.
Edited by ZR1cliff on Thursday 6th November 17:35
I had one Great Uncle who was captured by the Russians when they invaded Poland. Was released when Germans invaded the USSR, he then joined the Allies in the Infantry. Survived the desert war, beach landings at Anzio and then survived Monte Cassino.
One small problem. The night after the battle he was at a party, got trashed and fell out of a window..............
My maternal Grandfather was in the Navy. In 1944 he was based in Portsmouth and saw 2 ratings wander down into a Mulberry Harbour that was moored up. He knew it was full of very poisonous gas. He went down into it to rescue them. He got one out, but never came back out after he went in for the second one.
One small problem. The night after the battle he was at a party, got trashed and fell out of a window..............
My maternal Grandfather was in the Navy. In 1944 he was based in Portsmouth and saw 2 ratings wander down into a Mulberry Harbour that was moored up. He knew it was full of very poisonous gas. He went down into it to rescue them. He got one out, but never came back out after he went in for the second one.
I know very little about my family history and fear it is getting closer to being lost forever as every year goes past.
I do know that one Grandfather was a mechanic in the RAF and worked on Spitfires in India.
My other Grandfather was exempt from fighting as he was building tanks at a factory in Peterborough (and I assume was in charge of hundred of ladies). I think my Gradad lost a brother in WW2.
My Great Grandfather was a war hero apparently and served as a radio man on a submarine in WW2. Apparently the submarine went down and he did some heroic deeds. I remember my dad telling me he was featured in a book, but I've sadly no idea which book.
My GFs grandad fought all over Europe and was captured at Monte Cassino and actually reported as dead. The MOD told his wife and 2 years later, out of the blue he was freed and came home. A few weeks later he went back to fight with his mates. He died at about 90 having been CEO of some major international companies.
Her other Grandfather died last year and was the only survivor when a bomb/shell went off in his bunker in France. He didnt tell anyone anything else about the war.
Oh for half of the b
ks these guys had.
I do know that one Grandfather was a mechanic in the RAF and worked on Spitfires in India.
My other Grandfather was exempt from fighting as he was building tanks at a factory in Peterborough (and I assume was in charge of hundred of ladies). I think my Gradad lost a brother in WW2.
My Great Grandfather was a war hero apparently and served as a radio man on a submarine in WW2. Apparently the submarine went down and he did some heroic deeds. I remember my dad telling me he was featured in a book, but I've sadly no idea which book.
My GFs grandad fought all over Europe and was captured at Monte Cassino and actually reported as dead. The MOD told his wife and 2 years later, out of the blue he was freed and came home. A few weeks later he went back to fight with his mates. He died at about 90 having been CEO of some major international companies.
Her other Grandfather died last year and was the only survivor when a bomb/shell went off in his bunker in France. He didnt tell anyone anything else about the war.
Oh for half of the b
ks these guys had. grandfather on one side was a soldier in the trenches most of the way through WW1 - he was born in 1890 and died in 1973 - I'm too young to have met him
grandfather on the other side - he was in the Auxiliary Air Force just before the 2nd world war and flew Hurricanes - that much I know is true..
apparently though, he expressed feelings about the war making him potentially a Conscientious Objector -- by all accounts this took him off operational flying and onto target tugs and the end of any sort of promotion???
(apologies if this sounds unlikely - this side of the family is not talked about due to divorces etc! so I no one to check up with)
grandfather on the other side - he was in the Auxiliary Air Force just before the 2nd world war and flew Hurricanes - that much I know is true..
apparently though, he expressed feelings about the war making him potentially a Conscientious Objector -- by all accounts this took him off operational flying and onto target tugs and the end of any sort of promotion???
(apologies if this sounds unlikely - this side of the family is not talked about due to divorces etc! so I no one to check up with)
Both my uncles fought through Europe in WW2 neither however were involved in D Day. One was a machine gunner and the other an infantryman. My dad fought in Korea and my sister is in Helmand now. All returned safely (my sister returns on Sunday).
The greatest story though is my Great Uncle (sadly now passed away). He was taken prisoner in Tobruk and imprisoned in a camp in the toe of Italy. He and 5 others escaped and made it all the way up through Italy and reached the Italian Lakes.
There was a boat by the shore of the lake and 4 decided to row across but my Great Uncle and one other said they preferred to walk around the lake. The 4 in the boat were shot and killed by the Luftwaffe but my Great Uncle and his mate made it into Switzerland.
He met a girl in Switzerland but decided that he would head back to England. She wrote to him until his died 10 years ago but when he got back home he said he would never leave Marlpool again and aside from working 2 miles away in Heanor, he never did. Like others relatives on here he never really spoke of what happened, this information is all my dad got out of over the years.
When he died my dad returned all of the letters to his 'sweetheart' and she wrote back thanking him and it transpired that she, like my Great Uncle, had never got married. Kind of sad really I guess...
So, there are greater heroes than the ones in my family I'm sure, but this lot are mine and because of them and their endeavours I get the privilege to remember everyone elses heroes too.
DC
The greatest story though is my Great Uncle (sadly now passed away). He was taken prisoner in Tobruk and imprisoned in a camp in the toe of Italy. He and 5 others escaped and made it all the way up through Italy and reached the Italian Lakes.
There was a boat by the shore of the lake and 4 decided to row across but my Great Uncle and one other said they preferred to walk around the lake. The 4 in the boat were shot and killed by the Luftwaffe but my Great Uncle and his mate made it into Switzerland.
He met a girl in Switzerland but decided that he would head back to England. She wrote to him until his died 10 years ago but when he got back home he said he would never leave Marlpool again and aside from working 2 miles away in Heanor, he never did. Like others relatives on here he never really spoke of what happened, this information is all my dad got out of over the years.
When he died my dad returned all of the letters to his 'sweetheart' and she wrote back thanking him and it transpired that she, like my Great Uncle, had never got married. Kind of sad really I guess...
So, there are greater heroes than the ones in my family I'm sure, but this lot are mine and because of them and their endeavours I get the privilege to remember everyone elses heroes too.
DC
Edited by Dai Capp on Thursday 6th November 18:05
I cannot remember all of the stories my mother's father told me but one sticks in my memory. He was a Chief PO and meachanic on the minesweepers. Saw service all around Europe. Just before he was due to sail one day, a young chap asked if he could take my grandfather's place. Grandfather agreed and the ship was sunk by a U-boat with a lot of fatalities including the young chap. He also told me that his uncle went nuts in WW1. Apparently he was talking to his best friend, looked away and when he turned back to talk to him again, his head was no longer there. Really wish my Grandfather was still here. Definatly the sadest day I have ever had when he passed on
Ah man this thread is going to make me cry.
Mother's side - Grandfather was in the 51st Highlanders and was one of the last to be picked up in Dunkirk. As if that wasn't enough, he was then seconded to SOE and was part of the Monte Casino operation. Wounded twice (once by friendly fire) in CQB and then evacuated back to the UK but was involved in the Rhine crossing. Luckily I had a chance to have several long chats with him before he died several years ago.
Mother's side - Grandfather was in the 51st Highlanders and was one of the last to be picked up in Dunkirk. As if that wasn't enough, he was then seconded to SOE and was part of the Monte Casino operation. Wounded twice (once by friendly fire) in CQB and then evacuated back to the UK but was involved in the Rhine crossing. Luckily I had a chance to have several long chats with him before he died several years ago.
My maternal grandmother's brother was lost at Canal Du Nord 6 weeks before the end of WWI, aged 19.
History socity have; Samuel was formerly 44217 – The Prince of Wales Volunteers (S. Lancashire) He transferred to 13th Battalion the Kings Liverpool Regiment. He was killed in action in Flanders 27th September 1918, age 19.
Went to visit his grave this year, still very moving even after 80 years. Tiny graveyard outside a French Village. Went to Canal Du Nord where the Canadians and Brits had to cross very flat and open fields under fire, drop into a dry canal protected by machine guns, scale ladders and take the German positions. I almost wet myself just thinking about it on a fine spring day 80 years after the guns stopped. They were a different breed to us modern wussies.
She also lost an uncle at the Battle of Jutland. Local history socity had this: He became a stoker in the Royal Navy, and had served for 4 years before he was killed on board H.M.S. Acaster at the battle of Jutland, 31st May 1916, age 24. Although the ship was not sunk, Thomas was one of six people killed on board. I have a picture of the ship from just after the battle, and obviously he was dead in the boiler room when it was taken.
Oddly, it was the loss of my paternal grandmother's first Husband in WWI that led to her remarrying and my Dad being born in 1930, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
History socity have; Samuel was formerly 44217 – The Prince of Wales Volunteers (S. Lancashire) He transferred to 13th Battalion the Kings Liverpool Regiment. He was killed in action in Flanders 27th September 1918, age 19.
Went to visit his grave this year, still very moving even after 80 years. Tiny graveyard outside a French Village. Went to Canal Du Nord where the Canadians and Brits had to cross very flat and open fields under fire, drop into a dry canal protected by machine guns, scale ladders and take the German positions. I almost wet myself just thinking about it on a fine spring day 80 years after the guns stopped. They were a different breed to us modern wussies.
She also lost an uncle at the Battle of Jutland. Local history socity had this: He became a stoker in the Royal Navy, and had served for 4 years before he was killed on board H.M.S. Acaster at the battle of Jutland, 31st May 1916, age 24. Although the ship was not sunk, Thomas was one of six people killed on board. I have a picture of the ship from just after the battle, and obviously he was dead in the boiler room when it was taken.
Oddly, it was the loss of my paternal grandmother's first Husband in WWI that led to her remarrying and my Dad being born in 1930, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
Edited by Brown and Boris on Thursday 6th November 18:27
Grandfather on my Dad's side was reserved occupation in both WW's - he was a mining farrier/blacksmith and sometimes would be a face worker as well as needed... there were a lot of mining disasters that aren't noted much during the wars - the production requirements often meant colliers would work in (even more) dangerous conditions, his uncle was involved in one in South Wales and Uncle David was not more than 22 or 23,
Grandfather on my Mum's side was blown to (probably) sandy bits in Cairo when the Afrika Korps were very close at one point... his surname is, of course, one of my standard 'security question' answers! He would have been 28 or 29 at the time, if that.
Step-Grandfather on my mum's side was gassed in the trenches in WW1 but was sent back just to get gassed/shot at again, and then a third time although he made it to 1970 (when he was 73 or so) having married my Gran in 1957...
One Greatuncle on my Dad's side was another of the Burmese/Malaysian troops in a Japanese camp, he lost his left leg below the knee and whilst he would claim an officer sliced it clean of with sword, actually it was more likely carved off by the camp surgeon as he had foot rot... Uncle Bob was a 'happy fibber' but had his tale to tell of course.
Another Greatuncle (don't recall his name, what a sin!) was in the RAF, stationed in Scotland, not that 'far forward' but he was aircrew for spotter aircraft one of which he was in when it crash landed, hence the ongoing fear of flying after 1944... he died in mid-1968, apparently just before he was due to visit our house but being less than 5 at the time I doubt I'd have known him anyway...
The shocking thing is that there can't be any WW1 veterans left these days, or at best only a few.
Remembering any of them will be an important thing to do and the circumstances of the war they were involved in - we should make a great point of marking the day somehow, even if it's just stopping for a moment along with anybody else who's decent enough to do it.
Grandfather on my Mum's side was blown to (probably) sandy bits in Cairo when the Afrika Korps were very close at one point... his surname is, of course, one of my standard 'security question' answers! He would have been 28 or 29 at the time, if that.
Step-Grandfather on my mum's side was gassed in the trenches in WW1 but was sent back just to get gassed/shot at again, and then a third time although he made it to 1970 (when he was 73 or so) having married my Gran in 1957...
One Greatuncle on my Dad's side was another of the Burmese/Malaysian troops in a Japanese camp, he lost his left leg below the knee and whilst he would claim an officer sliced it clean of with sword, actually it was more likely carved off by the camp surgeon as he had foot rot... Uncle Bob was a 'happy fibber' but had his tale to tell of course.
Another Greatuncle (don't recall his name, what a sin!) was in the RAF, stationed in Scotland, not that 'far forward' but he was aircrew for spotter aircraft one of which he was in when it crash landed, hence the ongoing fear of flying after 1944... he died in mid-1968, apparently just before he was due to visit our house but being less than 5 at the time I doubt I'd have known him anyway...
The shocking thing is that there can't be any WW1 veterans left these days, or at best only a few.
Remembering any of them will be an important thing to do and the circumstances of the war they were involved in - we should make a great point of marking the day somehow, even if it's just stopping for a moment along with anybody else who's decent enough to do it.
During a bombing of Poole my mothers uncle (merchant navy bod) rushed her, her sister, and her cousin into an air raid shelter, and was immediately afterwards killed by a lump of flying concrete as the bombs exploded.
Everyone else survived both lots, Grandads both surviving World War 1, (one of them an Old Contemptible), uncles in WW 2 surviving the siege of Malta in the Fleet Air Arm, and going ashore at D+2 then fighting up through Holland with the 43rd Wessex to rescue the Paras at Arnhem.
Everyone else survived both lots, Grandads both surviving World War 1, (one of them an Old Contemptible), uncles in WW 2 surviving the siege of Malta in the Fleet Air Arm, and going ashore at D+2 then fighting up through Holland with the 43rd Wessex to rescue the Paras at Arnhem.
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