With sombre D-Day celebrations having taken place in Normandy yesterday I thought I'd dig out a few mementos from my late Mum and Dad, who both fought in World war II; Mum WAFs, Dad Navy.
Here's an old 1940's Christmas card.
To my Dad, I don't know who the sender is.
Here's another Xmas card possibly by the same sender. The motif on the front says Per Ardua Ad Astra. I assume its the RAF.
A similarly motifed card, this time with a photograph of an unknown plane.
A photograph of an unknown lady riding a military motorcycle of unknown make. I guess she was a friend of my Mum's in the WAF.
The taller chap was the husband of my Parents' old friend Peggy, who emigrated to the states after the War I think. I think this is an American airfield but I don't know the plane.
Post-War excitement blossomed with the Festival of Britain in 1951 in London. At the left hand side you can see the tall spear-like Skylon. I wonder what happened to that Fifties icon? Did you or your parents visit the Festival?
Leaving the Forties and Fifties behind here's me being fed something by my Dad at Butlins circa 1961 with Mum looking on and explaining something to me!
Everyone got white rolls. I still love them!
Around the same time, here's my older brother holding me up with his hands full, a packet of unknown sweets and an unknown toy soldier. I think my brother has a mouth full too!
Great photos. My youth sounds similar to yours (except I'm an only child!). My Dad fought in World War 2, in the army in Burmah.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Generation eh Kevin! Our peace is their gift. My Mum and Dad didn't talk about the War much. They were teenagers at the time. Afterwards they were busy having a family ... of five!
DeleteThe aircraft at Stanmore looks like a Miles Master, the second aircraft is a North American Mustang. I was taken to the Festival of Britain twice I think, on very hot days where patience only lasted for queuing for ice cream, I was almost four years old. I wanted to ride the trains designed by Rowland Emett but the lines were so long we would still be on them to this day!
ReplyDeleteThe most memorable thing about the Festival was the actual tram ride to get there as new track had been laid to reach the site. It was very traumatic for me when the following year London Transport retired the tram system completely.
Ah Butlins. My 1955 summer holiday was at Clacton. Woodsy, how did your family manage a picture without a Redcoat intruding? Or did a Redcoat take the picture?
I'm sorry to correct you but the first aircraft looks more like the DeHavilland of Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk. It was the successor of the DH 82 Tiger Moth war-time basic trainer in the UK and abroad after WWII.
DeleteFascinating stuff Terran and Anon. I'm unsure who took the snap. It may have been my older brother or yes, a Redcoat! ha ha
DeleteThe de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk was post war. The cards look wartime.
DeleteYes, the DHC-1 was postwar and so was the Bristol Sycamore helicopter which can be seen in the left corner on the airfield. The card may be from wartime but the picture is not. If you compare the tail of a Master and a Chipmunk with that of the aircraft it's quite visible that it has to be the Chippi.
DeleteLovely photos, momentos and thoughts, Woodsy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tone.
DeleteWhat wonderful memories! Great stuff, very evocative of a better time... SFZ
ReplyDeleteThanks SF. I've a lot of my Parents stuff from WWII.
DeleteThe unknown aircraft is indeed a DHC-1 Chipmunk - first flight 1946. The helicopter on the ground is a Bristol Sycamore - first flight 1947, so the photo is post-war.
ReplyDeleteThe North American P-51 Mustang fighter is wearing the post-war style of US insignia, with a red bar in the centre of the side bars, so it is 1947 or later. By then the designation had changed from P-51 to F-51.
A great collection of old photos, and happy memories.
Fascinating Paul. Thanks too.
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