Both my wife and I are from military families. Her Dad served two terms in India, where she spent her early years; he did a 10 stretch first, from 16 years of age to 26, and then did China and Palestine and then went back to India, only to be called back when WW11 started. He served 28 years in all, up to WO11. His brother and his brother-in-law served with him, the latter went on to Monte Cassino and Korea with The Glorious Gloucesters, up to W01( Regimental S/Major), and then to Captain. Another brother served in the Australian Army but was given permission to return to Britain to fight when war broke out in Europe, and another was gassed in the WW1 trenches and survived. My wife's grandfather was Irish and served a life-time with the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and the Somersets, he was a Pioneer Sergeant. My wife was born in the Military Hospital at Aldershot.
As for myself, Me and my stepfather and his father all served in the same regiment (at different times), The Highland Light Infantry (the City of Glasgow regiment.) My stepfather was a boy soldier, survived Dunkirk after 10 years in India - he was a gymnast, a piper and a Highland dancer and like my father-in-law, a hardened professional soldier. My father's two brothers were seamen; one 12 years Royal Navy, served on The Hood until its last voyage, and was sent down twice on Submarines, spending some days in the water. The other was Merchant Marine and served on the Queen ships, spending WW11 racing across the Atlantic.
In WW11 I had other uncles who were Desert Rats, and some who served in Asia. One of my God-sons is a Major in the Infantry, just back from terms in Afghanistan and Fort Worth I hear. Two of my close cousins were Royal Marines and another served with the Scots Guards and the Canadian Army. My brother-in-law, who I met in 1965, was a regular in the RAF and served in Germany, Hong Kong, and Aden, and he has been a member of this forum for quite a long time. Unfortunately he recently lost his beloved wife, the sister of my own wife.
One of my own two brothers spent a lifetime with the TA and training army cadets, and ended as a Major, 2ic of the Cumbrian force and retired on turning down the number one spot as Lt Col. Another, left school early to go to sea and spent 2 years trading between Japan and Newcastle, Australia, followed by 7 years on Norwegian ships, usually as the only Englishman; he blotted his copybook on our pool by missing his ship when she sailed from Brazil; he found it very hard to leave the girls.
My wife and I met in a garrison town, to which we have since returned, and were married at 21 in a garrison church, Out Lady of the Victories.
My son-in-law was a boy soldier and a young regular soldier when I met him and I love him - and his young children!
And as a kid I served 2 years before the mast, where I first discovered USA - 1950.
Such was 20century life on the Island of Britain folks - sons of the sea!:smil:
As for myself, Me and my stepfather and his father all served in the same regiment (at different times), The Highland Light Infantry (the City of Glasgow regiment.) My stepfather was a boy soldier, survived Dunkirk after 10 years in India - he was a gymnast, a piper and a Highland dancer and like my father-in-law, a hardened professional soldier. My father's two brothers were seamen; one 12 years Royal Navy, served on The Hood until its last voyage, and was sent down twice on Submarines, spending some days in the water. The other was Merchant Marine and served on the Queen ships, spending WW11 racing across the Atlantic.
In WW11 I had other uncles who were Desert Rats, and some who served in Asia. One of my God-sons is a Major in the Infantry, just back from terms in Afghanistan and Fort Worth I hear. Two of my close cousins were Royal Marines and another served with the Scots Guards and the Canadian Army. My brother-in-law, who I met in 1965, was a regular in the RAF and served in Germany, Hong Kong, and Aden, and he has been a member of this forum for quite a long time. Unfortunately he recently lost his beloved wife, the sister of my own wife.
One of my own two brothers spent a lifetime with the TA and training army cadets, and ended as a Major, 2ic of the Cumbrian force and retired on turning down the number one spot as Lt Col. Another, left school early to go to sea and spent 2 years trading between Japan and Newcastle, Australia, followed by 7 years on Norwegian ships, usually as the only Englishman; he blotted his copybook on our pool by missing his ship when she sailed from Brazil; he found it very hard to leave the girls.
My wife and I met in a garrison town, to which we have since returned, and were married at 21 in a garrison church, Out Lady of the Victories.
My son-in-law was a boy soldier and a young regular soldier when I met him and I love him - and his young children!
And as a kid I served 2 years before the mast, where I first discovered USA - 1950.
Such was 20century life on the Island of Britain folks - sons of the sea!:smil:
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