Remembering my father's family: back row left to right- Joe, my Dad,
Ernest, Ben, Frank, Jack.
Middle row Grandad B and Granny B.
Front row Harold.
There was a daughter Margaret who didn't survive and Granny B died when I was a little girl so all I remember is her black hair and eyes, jet ear-rings, black bombazine dresses and black horse hair sofas. Grandad had a waxed moustache, was very upright and I don't remember any of the affection I had from my maternal Grandad.
Ben, Ernest and Jack served in France in WW1. Ernest was gassed and Jack was awarded a medal
The war afffected their health and Jack - our favourite uncle, was the first to die in his forties. My Dad as a young boy ran away to join up to be with his brothrs but was brought back by Grandma
Joe and Harold served in WW2 and Ben's three sons - Benny , Danny and Ernest also served in WW2. Benny was taken prisoner, escaped and travelled through Spain where he was treated very badly.
This would be in the thirties when the family played a band of brothers from Somerseat( Lancs)
Back row Frank, Harold, Ben, Dad, Ernest.
Middle row Ernest( cousin) Jack, Grandad, Joe, ???
Front row Danny and Benny(cousins)
The game was cricket - Jack was famed for his wicket keeping. Sadly I'm afraid we lost.
18 comments:
Hi Pat. Very fitting post coming up to Remembrance Sunday. My grandfather and his six brothers and their father fought in WW1 and some of them in WW2. One of the 3 surviving brothers later died in a mining accident, and another took his own life. We owe them a debt. I think also of the young soldiers dying in Afghanistan.
On a lighter note l meant to tell you that I watched the re-run of Emma and loved it! It gave me goose-bumps! Thanks for the recommendation.
Great photos to have, Pat. It's a nice looking family. Are they Italian? I'm thinking of the black bombazine dresses.
Love your family pictures and reminiscences.
Excellent photos, thanks Pat!
I'm going to church with Caz in the morning. Apart from weddings, christenings and funerals it's the only time I go.
If it wasn't for the people who sacrificed so much we wouldn't be here. Simple as.
Besides, the look of horror on the Rectors face when I walk in is worth getting up early for...;-)
Family history recorded for always here! No dusty attics, no old books being eaten by bugs. For your grand-children's children's children......
Thanks for sharing your memories though bittersweet some might be.
cinnamon: that was a very sad tale.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Emma.
Judy: I know very little about my paternal grand parents. Mum used to say granny looked as if she could have gypsy blood in her.
When I first showed the photograph of the men in suits someone said they looked like mafia members. In those days you just had the one suit.
Parsnip: some times I go back over the same stories - when it seems appropriate:)
Kevin: pleasure:)
FourD: that's more than me but I shall watch one of the services on TV an my thoughts will be with the boys and girls From all ages and all countries who gave their lives.
GG: makes me wish I could be more accurate and have more info.
BTW I hope there will be one dusty book - written by me:)
Randall: you are very kind - you never say 'I've heard it all before.'
Isn't it fascinating looking through family photos? I'm so pleased my daughter has collected them all into several huge albums.
I wonder if certain names were especially fashionable then. We have a Harold, Frank, Ernest and Jack in our family too.
Pat, I must admit to always having a keen sense of interest in your posts, the memories, the photies, and the overall feeling of warmth fae the words.
Sandy: yes I'm sure there is a fashion in names. Two of my school friends were Elsie and Bertha which you never hear today. Lots and lots of Jeans and Pat was quite common also.
Jimmy: I'm glad:)
MadameD: I know: how about a photo of you. BTW have you got blonde hair?
Love the photos. Nice warm feeling, reading about someone's family...
Pearl
What wonderful pictures, Pat...I LOVE old pictures and especially when it is "family"....
Being 'gassed' seemed to be quite a common horror in the first World War...one never heard too much about it during WW2....And I know being gassed weekend peoples lungs and their immune systems too....Really horrible.
I really hope someday soon I am holding a book with these lovely pictures in it!
Pearl: I'm glad you enjoyed it:)
Naomi: mustard gas I believe it was. A truly vile weapon and I believe it was against the Geneva Convention - but I could be wrong about this. When we remember the atrocities that were committed during both wars it makes nonsense of any rules.
CC: I'll drink to that;)
Post a Comment