A little history lesson.. my grandfather's experience of WWII

[carlassean]

After my grandfather passed away over 15 years ago.. I found a diary, a few watercolor paintings, and an internment banknote..newspaper clippings.. etc.

I took the book and art and stored it away in my drawer..

I really never took much thought about it at the time. I did read the diary.. but could not find any information on the details in the diary

Comments

[cousinshelley]

Oh my gosh, what a fascinating treasure to find! If you do sell to the museum, just be sure you scan and photograph everything so you can "keep" it, as well. I'd love to read all of his notes--how amazing!

I was in a mall once waiting for my daughter to come out of a store, sitting on a bench that was two benches back to back. An old man was on the one behind me. Another old man came and sat down next to him and started talking, in that way two old men always seem to do. Turned out that one had been a German prisoner in WWII and the other a Japanese POW, and they told each other about what it was like. I was never so gripped eavesdropping on anyone in a mall before, it was fascinating.

I have uncles who between them were in everything from WWI and up, and I've always been amazed at the things these people went through.

Again, really, what a treasure you've found. And what a handsome man he was!

[carlassean]

You are so correct on scanning everything.. before I sell.. It is very interesting to me too.. most of our history gets lost.. I almost didn't do a thing with what I found.. took me 15 years to even delve into it.. it never hurts to go through your family keepsakes and find these things..
Most war veterans do not like to talk about the war too.. just too painful..
It took a whole generation for me to discuss my grandfathers experience.. I am so glad I did!!

[bluegerl]

How wonderful to find such ROOTS - what else is there, if your Gran came from Ireland ?- more interesting things there ? - oooh marvellous to have a HISTORY! What treasure ... Its splendid, so much is lost these days, a museum would be terrific. Am really excited !!!!

[carlassean]

my grans side..are some wild folks.. they originated from County Cork, Ireland.. last name Jackson..
Lots of wacky people.. that drank too much...and did insane behavior...
Haven't done much research on this side.. since records are so hard to find!
my mums side is much easier.. her family all come from England.. in the Staffordshire region... didn't move much.. last name Pickford, Mellors
oh.... wait.... isn't that a Sean Bean character name... uh oh..!!! are we related??!!!! haha!!!

[bluegerl]

Sad to say, its a very tenuous link from The Bean to the good old Staffordshire name of Mellors - but if you route through D H Lawrence who wrote Lady Chatterley - The Bean played Mellors, who in one ending of two or three versions of the book, went back to Staffs and farmed there -while he waited for his Lady! Sean was just a randy version of this - but its a good British name! S'Nice thought tho!
The folk from County Cork now .......Jackson - any relation to a certain 'HUGH'? hehehehh teehee! Happy days!

[carlassean]

Oh... cool!!! Hugh... hem.... thought it was funny to be related to a Mellors!!
Thats where I get my randiness from!!!

[foxrafer]

What wonderful discoveries you've made! It must be so exciting to learn about your grandfather's life like this, almost like opening a time capsule or walking in his shoes for a little bit.

[vjezkova]

Oh dear, you have found a real treasure! There are only random finds like yours now, and these rare materials are very valuable!
And hey, your grandfather actally lived in one country with my grandparents (Czechoslovakia was founded 1918).
This is all very exciting!!!!

[splix]

That's really, really cool. How dashing he looks in his uniform! And beautiful handwriting, too.