Evening all Just to let you know how it's all going. With the help of Brian and Steve, I have records and a copy of my Great Grandfathers POW index card. My dad has just phoned me to say that his fathers [Jack Hill] medals arrived today. He is now the proud owner of: Pacific Star + Burma Clasp 1939-1945 Star 1939-1945 War Medal Now we just need for his service records to arrive and we can put together a big piece of Jacks life. In the past few months he has learnt so much about the dad he never knew. Thanks
Hi Lesley, I know exactly how your Dad is feeling at the moment. My Mum has gone through the same emotional rollercoaster, as my brother and I have gradually pieced together the life of her father and his time in WW2. She never knew her Dad and this must leave you asking many questions over the years. For us Grandchildren it is not so difficult as the person (Grandad) has never been there and so does not affect our daily lives, well until now. I took Mum to Burma in 2008 and we as a family visited Rangoon War Cemetery to pay our respects to her Dad and all the people remembered there. I watched her closely and could see the mixture of emotions as she talked to a man who she never knew. My Nan was lucky enough to visit his graveside in 1986, courtesy of the 'War Widows Association and the Royal British Legion. To say that she came home a different person is an understatement. She was able to speak about her husband to us all for the first time. Something is in the air at present regarding the prisoners of the Japanese, long may the information flow. Attached is a photo of Nan in 1986 at RWC. Bamboo.
Researching our family tree has really bought me and dad closer. We have never spoken so much as we have in the past few months. He is not a very 'chatty' person normally. Unfortunately, I doubt we will ever be able to visit Ambon Cemetery. Reading on all the official websites it is not recommended. Still, you never know what will happen. Now we have just got to find out why my nan [Jacks wife] left my dad in Yorkshire as a very young boy and buggered off to London. But that is another story !!
