If I was to sum up
In a few lines about my
Late Grandfather,it would
Be, Honest, kind, caring
Loving and above all
Brave.
I remember many stories
My grandfather told me
While he would sit in
His handmade oak rocking
Chair, with a glass of
Grants whiskey in one
Hand and his new designer
Spectacles he hardly wore
Because in his words 'cost
A lot of money,for same job
As a magnifying glass's heard
It so many times but always
Made me smile.
He always started this
One particular story by
Getting A picture from
His black Leather wallet
I had made him when I was
A teenager which never left
His side.The picture was of him
And his crew who,my grandfather
Had served On Convoy PQ 16,
Which was an Arctic convoy
Sent from Great Britain by
The Western Allies to aid the
Soviet Union during World War II
It sailed in May 1942, reaching
The Soviet northern ports.
What grandfather had not told
Any one, was that they
Had found some rum which was not
Supposed to be touched, but after
months at sea and then five long
scary days not knowing if the
next strike would mean them sunk,
They opened up the a barrel and
Took in turn of drinking. He told
Me one of the younger members
O f the crew was that drunk he
Had hit my grandfather in
The testicles and it was
Thought my grandfather
Would never had children.
My grandfather said
Despite all what was happening
They had a laugh while drunk
On Rum and never regretted it
At the time, well that part about b
Been hit below, mother use to
Call it, he did. but on a serious
Note he always said to
Me, 'My little Twinkles,it's
Never right to touch some one
Else goods or steal'.
And all though I never felt
My grandfather had done wrong
In that circumstance, he did.
But I always remembered that
Particular story that, while
Being interested,sad and fun
To Listen to, also had a serious
Side which now I am older
Believe in and stand bye.
And all thought the last time
I spoke to my grandfather I kept
Looking at my watch, big first date
You see but I always remembered the
Moral of his story!!!!
Comments
Cavalcaderl | September 30, 2011 - 19:40
new Prettyrose
Hi! what a brilliant amazing story,
of your grandfather.Cricketer's wear box. And being hit in the testicles, must hurt! what a clever
man .how you write in for (IP) this week
good a story. About his watch and wallett.
And your grandfather served on convey p16.
Very interesting, in my pops time in Navy
used have a tot of rum. And two boys followed
suit. Later in life a chaser whiskey, barley wine!
Not here now, one foot under. Strange how we remember sayings an memories.
Belated pop was on Air craft carrier HMS?
'Pretorious' or 'Victorious. Plus two out four
brother's, on HMS 'Bulwark' and 'Ark Royal.
Hope your feeling brighter.
Glorious hot weather.
julie xx
Prettyrose | September 30, 2011 - 23:38
Hi, Julie :) Thank you, yes lovely weather but not seen much of it but still smiling thank you :) I hope your not to bad.
Thank you very much for the comments, i always enjoy reading them and yes its strange in a good way similar sayings, e.t.c with the past. And sadly there are many great loved ones, who made our country's safe, for us that I, like I am sure many are thankful for. they may be not be here, but never forgotten!!!
Take care
Keep Writing
Keep Smiling :))
Trish xx
hulsey | October 5, 2011 - 11:29
Hello Prettyrose. Your grandfather sounds like he was a wonderful man and I would have loved to have met him. Coincidently, I wrote a biography for a friend, Robert Burns, who served as a DEMS gunner on rescue ship SS Rathlin in the infamous Arctic convoy PQ17. He also loves a drop of rum.
Typical of the older generation to spurn new fangled accessories and stick with what they are used to, ie: the magnifying glass. These gallant men deserve more recognition for their heroic service to the country, and they certainly opened my eyes.
I enjoyed reading about your grandfather. It brought a smile to my face. Thank you.