Dec

13

War and Remembrance

Posted by cameron

December 13, 2006 |

They may be called the greatest generation, I don’t know about that, but I do know they made sacrifices that I can’t even imagine. In fact, it is because of their sacrifice that I did not have to. My parents were young when World War 2 erupted, but old enough to join the battle. One parent was living in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and the other one living near London, England. It could be said that without Adolph Hitler I would not even exist. Scottish troops moved down to South East England and the young people met for the first time. At this time the Battle of Britain was raging and the survival of Britain hung by a thread. The flyboys of the RAF were the only thing between Britain and invasion. Major English cities were bombed. Children were moved out of the cities to live in the country where it was safer. Men were in the armed forces and women went to work in the factories and on the farms because only the older men were left at home. Life in Britain had been turned on its head. Life as we know it did not exist. It was war and survival, plain and simple. During the North African campaign against Field Marshall Rommel, my Dad did get shot but survived. Both mum and dad survived the war; now imagine this. Millions of young men came back home from war to what? They were all looking for jobs, to get married and find a home. This huge transition occurring all at the same time in a country that is on a war footing, not in a free economy. In the ensuing years whole cities were thrown up to house the new families. These were meant to be temporary housing but ultimately ended up permanent. This is where I was raised. There really was a huge baby boom. These children were the first baby boomers. Young people married and moved in with parents until they could find something of their own. It was a total mess. Ultimately my parent’s end point was my start point. Their lives and sacrifices provided my family and I the freedom and springboard to a better future. The satisfaction they had with their lives was born out of the chaos that was the last World War, and they were happy. I can only look back with utter amazement and pride that these people were my parents. I miss you mum and dad. Wish you were here.


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