An open letter from one of the "vets" on this forum to all young newcomers

First of all, a hearty welcome to ww2talk.

If you are carrying out research on any one particular subject or even one particular service man/woman then you have indeed come to the right place to find the answers.

Alternatively, if you are just interested in the period 1939 to 1945 then, once again, you have reached the right spot because this site is second to none in the breadth of subjects covered and has, as members, some of the finest ww2 researchers in this country.

I have but one proviso and that relates to newcomers asking veterans to participate in questionaires or to enter into discussion about their individual experiences.

May I first point out that my feelings on this subject are purely personal and I make no claim to represent or speak on behalf of my fellow vets on this site, some or all of whom may have differing views.

After an over-lengthy preamble I come to my major point.

All the vets, including myself, have written thousands of articles about their experiences and have given their views on many controversial subjects.

Before you write to us asking for further information do us at least the courtesy of reading what we have previously written.

If you then have a particular question that you feel has not been answered, by all means enter into the discussion on the site so that we may all benefit from the points raised.

Enjoy your stay and good luck with your research.

Respectfully

Ron

 

Well Said Ron. I have written a great many articles, with the sole purpose of keeping the memory alive of those that paid the price for freedom. I agree with Ron, Between the Vets there is nearly every subject that is covered in one place or another.
Sapper

 

hi there ron
i joined this forum to talk to veterans and other members and i have enjoyed my time on here so far
ww2 talk is a great place to talk to people

 

War Veterans are our real national treasures and crown jewels.I've interviewed many over the past twenty years and they are ALL amazing They are living history and their memories and stories are enduring legacies that we all need to hear God bless them

 

You are evidently doing a grand job interviewing WW2 Veterans, Martin. It is a fine tribute you have paid the wartime generation here.

It can often be difficult for people to relate their experiences, particularly if they have been through some of the really bad things of the war (of which there were many).

Keep up the good work!

 

Indeed we should be grateful, rightly we respect those that gave all, sometimes forgetting that many 'survivors' gave all too. Many wounded inside! My late mother and her two sisters lost a much loved brother. This was her favourite - written by a countryman - the Scottish Poet 1793.




YouTube - ‪Robert Burns - The Soldiers Return‬‏

Serjeant Robert, Easton Duthie 2nd Bn Gordon Highlanders -Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.




When wild war's deadly blast was blawn,
And gentle peace returning,
Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless
And mony a widow mourning,
I left the lines and tented field,
Where lang I'd been a lodger,
My humble knapsack a' my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.

A leal, light heart was in my breast,
My hand unstain'd wi' plunder;
And for fair Scotia, hame again,
I cheery on did wander:
I thought upon the banks o' Coil,
I thought upon my Nancy,
And ay in the mind't the witching smile
That caught my youthful fancy.

At length I reach'd the bonny glen,
Where early life I sported;
I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn,
Where Nancy aft I courted:
Wha spied I but my ain dear maid,
Down by her mother's dwelling!
And turn'd me round to hide the flood
That in my een was swelling.

Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, sweet lass,
Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom,
O! happy, happy may he be,
That's dearest to thy bosom:
My purse is light, I've far to gang,
And fain would be thy lodger;
I've serv'd my king and country lang,
Take pity on a sodger!

Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me,
And lovelier was than ever;
Quo' she, a sodger ance I lo'ed,
Forget him shall I never:
Our humble cot, and hamely fare,
Ye freely shall partake it;
That gallant badge, the dear cockade,
Ye're welcome for the sake o't."

She gaz'd - she redden'd like a rose, -
Syne pale like only lily,
She sank within my arms, and cried,
Art thou my ain dear Willie?
By him who made yon sun and sky!
By whom true love's regarded,
I am the man - and thus may still
True lovers be rewarded!

The wars are o'er, and I'm come hame,
And find thee still true-hearted;
Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love,
And mair, we'se ne'er be parted."
Quo' she, My grandsire left me gowd,
A mailen plenish'd fairly;
And come, my faithfu' sodger lad,
Thou'rt welcome to it dearly!"

For gold the merchant ploughs the main,
The farmer ploughs the manor;
But glory is the sodger's prize,
The sodger's wealth is honor:
The brave poor sodger ne'er despise,
Nor count him as a stranger;
Remember he's his country's stay,
In day and hour of danger.


Page 1 of 1

 

Thank you sir. Much appreciated. There are those indeed who prefer to forget and we respectfully leave them alone. Here's what one veteran from the US 106th Division wrote. I found it very moving.

Combat veterans hold a secret about life so deep within them that
not even they comprehend the power of its mystery.
This great secret cannot be understood by anyone who was
never there.
They do not know the secret exists.
So they cannot comprehend the strength it gives to those
who do.
We are a part of a charmed circle that we keep tightly closed
praying that no more will ever enter.

That’s one of the most poignant things I have ever read about veterans. Take care.

 

Ron,
I have to apologise. I am new to this site and I am clearly one of the hundreds that bombard you with emailed requests for information on your experiences.
Please do not worry about responding to my email, I will have a search around on this site and find your stories myself.
Thank you for sharing
x

 

I have so much respect and admiration for all of our veterans. It must be so difficult for them to share and talk about their experiences. Each and every one of them are heroes in my mind, and i really hope to meet one and talk to them in person some day.

 

One of the funniest old soldiers I met some years ago. Badly burned in a tank, face scarred and several fingers burned away. I was introduced as his guide and assistant on a parade in London,Putting His hand out and shaking hands he turned to his wife and holding his hand up - said bloody Jocks - they'll nick anything. Come on then Sergeant get the beers in. He had his tankie beret and MBG tie (Mud/Blood/Greenfields) I had to put up with some banter! He had me in hysterics, when he lit a cigarette, he said you would think I would have stopped smoking wouldn't you, he laughed and said I did after about half an hour. His wife tut tutted and gave the its alright for you I have heard it a hundred times look. By the end of the day I was being addressed as son! I was in the presence of an unbreakable spirit that day. Sadly those days of old soldiers in the mess from that era at reunions is fading, the good natured banter and sense of fun - 'here what's your number? -That's not a number it's the population of China! Privileged to have shared a beer and a dram. Ron,Tom and others here are a link, they have given much that will stand as points of reference and future research. We should be grateful for it.

 

Hello, I am one of the newbies you are reffering to in this post, I have tried a number of times to query about the use of information on this site but I am still having no luck. I am only 21, however very interested in the second world war, like many other people here, due to my family's history. I am studying to be an artist and have undergone a mammoth task to collect as many peoples family histories as possible and put them into a publication. I am also producing several exhibitions using the data I have collected. I too am aiming to keep not just my own but as many people as possible's histories alive, but because I am a new member I am having real trouble finding responses to my call for information. I will under no circumstance take information without permission, however I am finding it difficult to even have anyone respond to this and I find it difficult to understand given the nature of this site and how enthusiastic everyone is about sharing their history. Is it because I am a new member? I am unsure. I have a good collection of histories but to really make a great information sharing platform I think the support of this forum would be a fantastic thing! I also should mention that anyone who does wish to have their family featured will definately be receiving a copy of the finished document (And its a beauty)!

Any advice from the site vets would be hugely appreciated!!!

Anna

 

Hello Anna



you say
"I have tried a number of times to query about the use of information on this site but I am still having no luck"
Not sure what you mean by the above

Dont forget many people have posted information freely on this site and continue to do so.If you have requested information either persons do not feel comfortable sharing it or it has already been posted.
Please continue to post for information and if available forum members will share with you.

there is a lot of information in the links below that will help you.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/veteran-accounts/
BBC - WW2 People's War

Also link below to search ww2talk
site:ww2talk.com - Google Search

regards
Clive

 

I must apologise publically for acting hastily when joining this site.

I made the mistake of not fully investigating how the website is structured or the extensive material made available by veterans and expert researchers alike. Fired-up by good intentions, I ended up friendly firing on those whom I say I honour. I am sorry.

I wish I’d have read this thread (and many others first) before acting on impulse. Even if my impulse was driven by good intentions, it does not matter: “hell is full of good meanings, but heaven is full of good works.”

Please don’t make the same mistake as I.
The stew is just about ready: it’s been boiled in guilt, shame and utter embarrassment for five days now. Spend ample time getting to see what the site offers before reaching out. A kneejerk posting will leave you in jerk stew!

Having used this site for less than a week, I can fully see and appreciate the vast amount of work that is being done here to keep memories alive; and keep the lessons at the forefront of our minds.

I am privileged to be a member and would like to thank you all for making this site a success (and available to people like me).

Yours gratefully,

Steve

 

First Day in Combat

This is an article my uncle wrote. He is alive and well in PA.

 

Thanks Ron for this. If you have anyone after information on Lancashire 88th Field Reg (TA), (RA), we have put a brief discription regarding dad's deployment to France / Belgium and then to North Malaya ending up in Changi. See The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany | Prisoner of War at Changi, Singapore 'about Des'.
Cheers,
Keith

 

As a vet I have never considered myself as a hero, and tend to feel embarrassed when compared to lads of the PBI. Yes, I landed on D-Day and have been shot at, shelled and motared, but as a wireless operator I was always in a slit trench when up with the PBI. Most of the time I couldn't hear what went on as I wore head-phones, and always slept with my boots on in a slit trench. Had to be washed and shaved (cold water) by 12 noon regardless. Lived off compo rations, and learned to like them.. Felt very sad and guilty when some of our lads were killed, carried a loaded Sten all the time, but never fired it. Hated cable repairing at night, as I never knew anybodies password, and who was behind me in the dark. But that was the life a lot of us led, and I was lucky I never got a packet a like real hero - Brian.

Jim

 

Hi Jim. Hope you are well?
Just one thing friend. I never at any time set out to get wounded. The fact that I was clobbered twice, is down to not getting out the way quick enough...

I know that your mob did sterling work, and in bloody awful areas... .....Bless them!..So don't sell yourself short mate. Thing is Jim You and your mates contributed enormously top the eventual Victory in Bremen......

 

Thanks Brian. That's praise indeed.

Jim