Day 93 #100DaysOfOldDays
This handsome young man is my grandfather – my mother’s father.
He was one of thousands of young Irish men who joined the British Army during World War II. He served with the Royal Pioneer Corps.
In 1942 he was shot and sent home an injured man. After being vindictively branded a coward, he returned to his station in the Netherlands.
Although the war ended in September, the Pioneer Corps continued their engineering duties rebuilding bridges and the like. On December 18th 1945 my grandfather was shot and killed by a sniper who hadn’t realised the war had ended.
Today’s artwork is by my brother Terry. Obviously this is who Lucy has inherited her artistic genes from!
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So beautiful but so poignant at the same time. Lovely that your Mam and Terry got to visit the grave. Uncle Patsy’s son Sean visited as well. Gone but never forgotten. He died three weeks after Patrick was born. Helen always talked about him.
Yes, I believe Helen was very fond of him. She was a lovely woman. Thanks for commenting Kathleen. ❤
Often heard this story growing up from my grandmother and my Dad
Your grandmother really did talk about him a lot Francis! She was a lovely woman. She was very good to Mammy all through the years.
What an amazing story, and so very sad. War is such a terrible waste of human life …. Accountable by egotistical men…
What a loss …
Yes, very sad Roza. Still happening unfortunately! 😔
He was a very handsome man. Such a sad story though. Glad your mom got to visit his grave.
It was a bitter sweet occasion Darlene. She had wanted to go for years. My brother and his wife arranged it and went with her. It was lovely! 💜