Meredith posted a moving tribute to her father on the occasion of his 106th birthday (May 4th–he died aged 70). Prompted by the commemoration of the 75th VE Day, she wrote about his experience in the war and how it affected his life afterwards.
VE (Victory in Europe)Day May 8th 1945
I was three years, five months on May 8th 1945 and living with my mother in a friend’s house in Putney SW London. Molly, my mum, had celebrated her thirtieth birthday the day before.
I have no memory of these momentous days or asking about them as the years passed.
I am a history major but never grilled Dad about what he did in the war and he was never forthcoming. Too late now.
Dad, my father–(Tony) may or may not have been there on VE Day.
April 1938 Molly and Tony on their honeymoon*
Young Dad–RAF trainee
He’d spent the previous nine months in the States training to be a fighter pilot based at Falcon Field, Mesa, NE of Phoenix, Arizona; where he’d “won his wings” on April 1st 1945.
Maybe he was on his way back to Blighty. How lucky for him and Molly and me that the war in Europe ended a month later on May 8th.
Aircraftsman 1st class Tony Ellis, had been ground staff until he was recruited to train as a flyer. He was posted ’round the country as needed. I was born in Ipswich on the east coast and saw Edinburgh and Leamington Spa from my pram before setting in Hammersmith.
No great exploits, I guess, no derring-do’s.
He must have, however, let slip the story, that one day, on a training flight in Arizona, he flew solo through the Grand Canyon–an action strictly verboten and uncharacteristic of my father whose mantra in life as communicated to his three sons was–don’t rock the boat!
It took me over 70 years get a true understanding of what he had done, albeit in a small commercial helicopter with a pilot and Meredith and her sister Holly on board. It took our breath away!
He was 28 when left Molly and me and went west. He wrote long, tender letters to her telling her how much he loved her and how he missed us both– but he was clearly seduced by the American way.
He brought back 78rpm reckerds…
Country music—Hank Williams; Roy Acuff; railroad balladeer, Jimmie Rogers.
I loved Jimmie Rogers singing his hobo songs and listening Dad mimicking the sad, resigned yodelling refrains.
He’s in the jailhouse now, he’s in the jailhouse now–Ahh lee odle edly ee.
I didn’t learn much about the war but Dad with his Arizona tan and his gentle humour instilled in me a love of things American I couldn’t explain and set me on a life changing path.
*This photo was taken on their honeymoon and a story from the family history jar is that they took the boat out for an innocent row on the sea and were capsized by a basking shark (not dangerous apparently, except to non-swimmers!).
Not satisfied with the drama of that, they both got chickenpox!
Thanks for this great post. I have a friend whose family debated the question for years: “Where was Uncle on VE Day?” As all parties have now passed on, we’ll never know.
Please, you and Meredith, wear your masks! Peace, Andrea in Massachusetts
What a handsome man he was.
Wow, some photo! I think your Dad should have gone to Hollywood!
My father never talked about how he got he Purple Heart during the Normandy Invasion until he was over seventy. When he did, I was horrified. I guess he finally needed to let someone know what it was like.
Yes and so many like him.
Re: RAF photo. Kinda reminds me of Errol Flynn … in looks and derring-do (solo Grand Canyon fly through).
He had it!
Yes again, Keep it up.
So encouraging–thanks, Bob!
Love your memories, I love hearing about the War 2, and how people lived and survived during those trying/scary times. This coming from a war baby (1943), Thanks for sharing,
My mom was a teenager during the war and 20 years old when it ended. Even though we were removed from the horrors of the war here in the States, she talked about it many times over the years and of the boys she knew that didn’t return home. She did her part working in the factories. Thank you for sharing a part of your family’s experiences , Robin. Let’s remember the sacrifices they made for future generations. Freedom is very precious!
Agreed.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing all your memories of your father. And I IMPLORE any one who has living parents, etc. to ask questions NOW–turn around & it will be too late–ask not just about wars (so many: WW2, Korea, Vietnam, the Falklands, Gulf War 1, etc.) ask about everyday life.
When I was too young to ask questions Daddy told stories about WW2 (he was wounded Christmas Eve, 1944, in Luxembourg, Battle of the Bulge; he was 19 yrs old). When I was older & had read enough about the war to ask ?s Daddy would respond by weeping (due, in part, to heavy drinking).
This week on the BBC World Service’s “Witness History” has been playing pieces connected to VE Day. Not just from the victors–one of the recordings was from a Berlin woman who was raped by a Soviet soldier. I THINK that “Witness History” is available as a podcast.
Nancy in Alabama, from Mississippi
Thank you for sharing this memory, Nancy.
the link to meredith’s video, Robin…! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC2BvNdcXo4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0j24eXhMhdaj8GVoGeYFBvFWfHCuUAxagUeHuaOUnHDirFxSNFB6s1ghM
Thanks, Lucy.
Oh Robin, such moving memories.
I’m Irish, and although the Country was neutral during WW2, both sides of my family were heroically involved in it. My mother’s Uncle Jack signed up as a Veterinary Student in Dublin University during WW1, & was awarded the George Cross for bravery at Ypres. As a Lieutenant Colonel in WW2 he led his company of men at Dunkirk.
My father’s brother was a British Navy Ship’s Doctor during WW2 and survived the campaign on battleships with the wedding ring for his intended future wife under his pillow. They married on his return.
So many wonderful stories of valiant lives, bravely well lived in desperate times.
So many Nations came together to fight the Fascist foe and they should all be celebrated today. ❤️X
Thanks for these stories, Geraldine.
Robin, your father was rather dashing! I also have a picture of my dad in his army uniform back in his salad days in WWII. To all our dashing dads who served, I give thanks, and thank you for sharing.
What a charming story. Very relieved it was a Basking Shark Tthank you for sharing this Warm Regards, Fiona Cortland
Thanks for sharing. Have talked to veterans of both World Wars and they never liked talking about what they had seen.Have talked to families caught up in the war in Europe as well and they have never got over witnessing death when they were small children. They suffer from post-traumatic stress.
My Dad never talked about the war, except to tell humorous jokes about his fellow servicemen. He arrived in France 6 days after D Day, was there for the liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge. He saw unimaginable horror. He earned 5 battle stars. I am so incredibly proud to be his daughter for many reasons, but this is an important one.
Thank you for posting this memory.
I never met my grandad, he was in the Great War, somewhere in Europe, and he was honourably discharged as Disabled in September 1917.
Both my farther and uncle served in the Second World War, Dad in the RAF, in Egypt, Sicily and Italy, and my uncle in the Normandy Landings(RM). Neither would talk about the actual fighting, but my Dad told me of repairing radios for the Italians, (and I still have an unfinished oil painting of him done by an Italian,) and my uncle was held back after basic training, when his unit was deployed. He asked the CO why and was told that when they got to France they had him down for an Interpreter (Although the family name was a french one, he didn’t speak a word!) when he told the CO, he was on the next transport out to join his mates!
Nice story.
Thanks for this! My dad always wanted to be a pilot, but his nearly-legally blind eyesight kept him from it. (He once talked about his college roommate who would “never grow old” — shot down at 21 over France.) Because he was in med school he missed most of the worst of the war, and we were grateful.
I’ll bet.
Incredible stories from these brave men! Gene’s father was in the Philippines at the time, awaiting the invasion of Japan. But the bombs were dropped, Japan surrendered, and he became part of the occupation for about 9 months. It’s interesting to note that he befriended the people there–and the feeling was mutual. They gave him presents to bring home to his family in the States, but Gene’s mother didn’t like them because they “took him away” from her during the war. I hear the same animosity from an elderly friend whose brother was shot down over Japan. Can’t imagine how horrible it was for ANY of them–whether actively fighting, or praying for a loved one’s safe return!
Thanks for sharing and stay safe! 🙂
PS: Your Dad’s brooding look in the pic is very much like Ross Poldark’s! 😉