I have a few questions for some veterans, in which the answers will be used for a school project.

What were some songs you sang during the war? Can you remember the lyrics?
Was there any dancing? If so, I'd like to know the steps you remember.
What leisurely activities did you play out whilst not in action?
Were there board games? If you can remember, what kind? Can you remember the rules?
Did you play card games? If yes, was there any gambling or illegal games to play that you played anyways?
Was there trading of items or gift-giving of any sort between soldiers?
About how many soldiers were in your troupe/squadron/smallest group you could be put into?
Can you remember a military number or nickname you were given?

Those who take the time to answer these questions, or at least make an effort to, I preemptively thank you for your help.

 

Please see link below

http://ww2talk.com/forums/forum/28-veteran-accounts/

 

Honestly, I have to say this didn't answer my questions, and not any of them, unless I want to sift through a diary which would probably only answer 3 inquiries.

 

GarretGreen

"Honestly, I have to say this didn't answer my questions, and not any of them, unless I want to sift through a diary which would probably only answer 3 inquiries."

Tough !

Ron

 

What were some songs you sang during the war? Can you remember the lyrics?
We'll meet again dont know where dont know when

there any dancing? If so, I'd like to know the steps you remember.
http://www.coopjive.co.uk/projects.htm

What leisurely activities did you play out whilst not in action?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_industry_during_World_War_IIm

Were there board games? If you can remember, what kind? Can you remember the rules?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cribbage

Did you play card games? If yes, was there any gambling or illegal games to play that you played anyways?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/43/a5676843.shtml

Was there trading of items or gift-giving of any sort between soldiers?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2513866/A-GI-Christmas-How-American-soldiers-bearing-gifts-extra-rations-proved-festive-hit-British-families-WWII.html

About how many soldiers were in your troupe/squadron/smallest group you could be put into?
http://www.secondworldwar.co.uk/index.php/army-sizes-a-ranks/86-army-units-a-sizes

Can you remember a military number or nickname you were given?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_figures_by_nickname

 

Thank you, CL1. Your help is appreciated greatly.

 

Over the years I have spent some time on our "Sister" site, namely, http://www.ww2f.com/

As on this site, they have lots of "Questionnaires" being put to the older members with varying responses from the relatively few veterans of WW2.

Occasionally I would succumb to requests and give a line by line answer but now, at 92, I firmly believe that those seeking easy answers should first be required to spend some time on honest research.

If you want to see the thread where I answered questions, try here: http://www.ww2f.com/topic/13776-so-you-want-to-interview-a-%E2%80%9Cveteran%E2%80%9D/

Ron

 

Totally agree Ron, Research is fun, and reading some of the numerous books written about the Second World War, especially those by those who served will provide answers to many of these questions..However, I suspect that some of these enquirers are young school pupils who are not just learning about the War,but also methods of research. The difficulty of finding the right people to ask, their attitude to the questionnaire and the response rate are as much part of the lesson as the answers gained. It should also make up stop and question all those headlines that tell us that " A Survey of the Public revealed that 60% of people think we should.....".

 

Totally agree but let's not forget the current technology expectations where 'instant answers' are expected to 'instant questions' by many, and especially the younger generations. This is, after all, the instant communications Internet age. There are many ways to look at this important topic: research is or can be difficult, time consuming and tedious and relies on willing information sources whether they be databases, forums or individuals. That is an important lesson for all to learn. Of course, there are more negative and cynical ways of looking at this: saves a lot of work if you can get someone else to do the difficult tedious bit!

Personally I try to help in any way I can but, at the end of the day, the students need to do their own homework.

 

Can I suggest that you might try and get an introduction to one or more WW2 veterans in the district where you live? If you are unable to get an introduction through your family and friends, then can I suggest you try and contact the local British Legion (or other local organisation if applicable)?

If you make the reasons for your enquiry clear and are introduced to someone then you will be able to put the questions directly to them and you will have done some original research. A letter of introduction from your tutor might also be a good idea: basically to confirm the reason for the research.

I first researched the WW2 years for a university project. The project was not in my first language and it was not carried out in the area I was born and brought up, yet I had no real problems in finding people to assist with the original reearch.

I would suggest if you follow a research method along these lines you should get a good mark as it will have shown initiative and a proper research method. It is you who wants answers to questions. To expect lots of WW2 veterans, who will be at least in their late 80s, to jump to a computer keyboard and provide answers without any introduction is highly unlikely.

Give it a little more thought as to how you can get the answers you want and good luck with your research and your project.