Once again I am re-publishing this blog for anyone who has not already read it, it just says it all for me. I hope you will forgive me for repeating it, it was entitled ‘Remembrance’ :
March 1945 - stationed on an RAF base in Lincolnshire were a 22 year old man and his girlfriend who was 21. He was a Flight Engineer on Lancaster Bombers, she was a parachute packer. On the night of the 11th March, the young man flew on a mission, by coincidence wearing a parachute that had been packed by his girlfriend. The mission was over Germany and coming home his plane was shot down. Three of the crew of 7 parachuted out of the plane, the other 4 went down with the plane.
The young man was an only son, his Mum received a telegram telling her that her son was 'MISSING, BELIEVED KILLED'
Six weeks later the young mans Mum got another telegram saying 'I AM ON MY WAY HOME, I LOVE YOU'
The young man and his girlfriend were re-united and got married later that year.
This is a true story, the young man was my Dad, he landed in Belgium, and by chance was located by the Underground. He was smuggled out of Belgium and crossed the Kattegut to Copenhagen, stowing away on a German ship. In Copenhagen he bought his Mum a fob watch, which I now have. My Dads log book and the telegrams are in my brothers safe keeping. My Mum really did pack the parachute my Dad used on that night. My Dad only spoke of this to us once, I am glad that he did.
Tomorrow at 11am I will observe the 2 minutes silence, and among the thousands and thousands of people that are being remembered I will share a special thought for the 4 brave young men who lost their lives on that night in March 1945. We will not forget them.
