My mother's father, Hubert deSolla volunteered for Queen Victoria. In 1914 he was recalled to the colours and served through the war with the Royal Horse Artillery. In 1939 he tried to join the Canadian Army but was deemed too old and was diverted to the Corps of Commissionaires and served as a night watchman. He loved to tell stories of battles and loved his toy soldiers..
My dad volunteered in 1939 because it was the thing to do. His brother Angus also signed up but didn't come home. It wasn't till I was in uniform myself that I could get Dad to talk about the war at all.
These remind me of my grandfather who in his own words was asked politely to leave Germany at the business end of a Kar98!
ReplyDeleteHe came to the states in 1938 and went on to serve throughout the Pacific theater in the army and do occupation duty in Japan.
I grew up hearing the light hearted stories of that time, and like you I heard the real stories when I became a solider....I greatly miss the man.
Aye, we shall remember them.
ReplyDeleteMy nan had a picture similar to the one above. It was her Brother. He fought in WWII but died in London during the Blitz while home on leave.
ReplyDeleteA friend of my parents in Toronto lost a brother at Dieppe. There's not much you can say to comfort someone with a loss so overwhelming. She still wept about it 30 years later.
ReplyDeleteChris
Brave lads all. And Cpl de Solla's 'tache is most impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments lads.
ReplyDelete(and yes young Grand dad is looking a fair bit more dapper than his grandson does these days)
two grandfathers on the Western Front first time round, father on the atlantic run second innings. I only heard the 'funny' stories as a child. Found out the rest after dad died and old comrades wrote to mum.
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