WW2 my gramps went to tubruk as a doctor. Aus captured a bunch of Italians late jan '41. The Aus docs and Italian docs that they had captured apparently really hit it off, let them out of captivity for a bit, drank / smoked together and shared advice on battlefield medicine.
Gramps was very quiet about his experience but to my old man he did say a few stories (which to me are only second hand).
He never marched in the parade, never watched it apparently. The blinds would come down when us kids asked about it.
So I think today means something different to everyone.
Grandma’s barn (Europe) was hit by an errant shell back in 1941 a few minutes before she went to milk the cows. Livestock died, she survived cause her parents were giving her a taking to for sneaking off with a guy…my grandpa
Same grandpa was captured by the germans twice in a span of 4 weeks, and managed to escape both times.
Neither ever elaborated on the stories and we never pressed them.
Well here’s an ANZAC story from my fam.
WW2 my gramps went to tubruk as a doctor. Aus captured a bunch of Italians late jan '41. The Aus docs and Italian docs that they had captured apparently really hit it off, let them out of captivity for a bit, drank / smoked together and shared advice on battlefield medicine.
Gramps was very quiet about his experience but to my old man he did say a few stories (which to me are only second hand).
He never marched in the parade, never watched it apparently. The blinds would come down when us kids asked about it.
So I think today means something different to everyone.
I always reflect on my grandparents stories.
Grandma’s barn (Europe) was hit by an errant shell back in 1941 a few minutes before she went to milk the cows. Livestock died, she survived cause her parents were giving her a taking to for sneaking off with a guy…my grandpa
Same grandpa was captured by the germans twice in a span of 4 weeks, and managed to escape both times.
Neither ever elaborated on the stories and we never pressed them.