Are there any WWII vets out there..?

My Nana's 80 and she has a Facebook profile, sends emails and text messages, although it took her a while to get to grips with her mobile. Bless!

A lot of people seem shocked when I tell them that but the truth is, a lot more of the older generation are catching up with and using technology.

It's the way forward.

 

Another 88 year old vet will shortly be joining the forum. We're just rigging up the equipment for Dad now. You certainly can teach an old dog new tricks.

 

Another 88 year old vet will shortly be joining the forum. We're just rigging up the equipment for Dad now. You certainly can teach an old dog new tricks.

Wait to he keeps ringing you up saying its broke

My Dad bought a laptop earlier this year bless him so he could email my brother in Australia-I've never spoken to my Mum and Dad so much on the phone since the PC was purchased

 

Adam/Dianne/Owen.....

I note like most good moderators you are defending a young person who appears - according to some - who wants to learn all about the history of WW2 and thus is made welcome - BUT - to my mind - and apparently also that of Za - he jumps into a thread with what I considered to be gross insult on ALL veterans on their inability to understand the operation of a computer. It transpires later that his experience of that is his own Grandparents and those of his friends - however I cannot judge that as I do not know them nor their circumstances- but he - as a knowledgeable 19 year old has that ability to judge ALL veterans who similarly - he has not met - nor does he know of their circumstances - nor any experience of the Veterans who participate on this forum - THAT is what got me fired up and I struck.

Now - I suppose it can be said that I am getting on a bit - a bit thin skinned and should go with the flow etc - but HEY - I am Scottish - that makes my skin a bit thicker than most with the mean Scots jokes etc -

and further to that skin thickener - I am also a cradle Traditional Catholic - which really thickens it up even more as all the tribulations of this world emanate from Rome etc ... it's in all the papers- must be true ......and so on and on - so it must be all my fault - sorry chums that doesn't cut it - this young punk continues to insult and he is overdue to be taught some decent and ordinary manners and the first thing to be done with this type is to ban them - not welcome them - but then -
...... that is MY view of the matter - but you run the forum !
Cheers

 

Adam pretty much said it. I think some people misunderstood Aarons initial post. After that he was verbally attacked and he defended himself, just like any of us most likely would do. That's the story basically imo.

Maybe we should get back to Carly's enquiry?

 

Adam

I welcome your reasoned response but regretfully feel that you may have overlooked a salient point.

As you know, this thread was started by another young newcomer who was welcomed aboard by all and most certainly received helpful advice from one of our veteran members.

FB92 then joined the thread with I would imagine most of them would not know how to use computers and such. But then again there would be some out there”
This comment made me really appreciate how the disabled in wheelchairs must feel when someone asks their attendant “Does he take sugar?”

Whilst accepting your comment that “there is nothing offensive there” and speaking here from my own viewpoint, it was his sweeping assumption that anyone in the upper age groups would of necessity be ignorant of PC matters that caused me, and others, annoyance, if not offence.

Perhaps the initial response by Za was a little on the strong side, but before the thread was many comments long I, and I’m sure others, was left in no doubt that our newcomer was brash, ill informed and lacking in what used to be referred to as good manners.

I doubt if I will comment any further on this thread, life is far too short to be wasting my time.

Ron

 

Welcome Carly. I joined the forum after searching the internet trying to find info on my dad's unit. On the BBC People's War website I found Ron and Tom's stories-I think that is the best place to start. I have found that the vets on here have been very helpful giving me information and thank goodness for that as on many an occasion they have pointed me in the right direction. (and yes they know more about computers than I do!)

Lesley

 

I would imagine most of them would not know how to use computers and such. But then again there would be some out there.

My feeling on this is that someone who posts a comment like that hasn't quite thought it through, and hasn't had a proper look round the site. We're all familiar with it, know we have veterans, and in the past we've had occasions before where someone who became an excellent contributor to the site didn't quite get off to a good start.

So let's cut them some slack.

I'm not known for my tolerance of those who insult our veteran members, and if I - and the other Mods - thought there was some underlying negativity here, this new member would be discharged.

Our veterans here have led long and fascinating lives, often tinged with sadness and despair in the war years, and while my daughter can't quite get her head round the fact her dad has been using computers for more than twice her age, there were people - some members here - using computers long before me. Age is not the issue here.

 

I would imagine most of them would not know how to use computers and such.
... and I would imagine that Ron Goldstein, a WW2 vetran and now a venerable 88, would run rings round you when it comes to media technology and how to use it.

I would also imagine that you haven't a clue what C++, a C compiler, or source code is. I'm 81, but I can still program pretty buttons for people like you to click.

 

Imagine that a 'User Introduction' with 53 posts. Wow, I've never seen so many people saying hello.

 

Tom,

Thank you for this link, I see you are a veteran also, is that correct?

I am currently reading Sapper (the lovely Brian) accounts and I am thoroughly enjoying them, they are so interesting. Have you written about your personal accounts at all?

Kindest Regards

Carly xx

 

The reminds me... talking about the elderly folk and computing. I think that it is not so much they could not cope with the puter; more like in their 80s, they cannot be bothered.
It also reminds me of an adult saying to a schoolchild "Are you telling me that you cannot do long division? You really cannot do it" " Shame on you! Nor can I"
Sapper Huge Grin....

 

Carly -
Indeed for my sins I too am a veteran- for many years now - and have coped reasonably well with the adulation afforded by some- and the insults of others and have also written of some incidents of the Soldiers life - with a tendency towards the funnier side of that life - and at times it was side splitting which offset the horrors..here is the link so enjoy...

Cheers
BBC - WW2 People's War - Autobiog:

 

Carly-as I said in post 51-why don't you try BBC WW2 Peoples War-Tom Canning has some stories on there.

Lesley

 

Tom -you beat me to it-I was typing at the same time as you!!

Lesley