´óÏó´«Ã½ - WW2 People's War - Looking back to 1939 from the relative safety of 2005

Looking back to 1939 from the relative safety of 2005

by Ron Goldstein

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Contributed byÌý: Ron Goldstein
People in story:Ìý: Ron Goldstein and friends
Location of story:Ìý: England and overseas
Background to story:Ìý: Army
Article ID:Ìý: A5986335
Contributed on:Ìý: 02 October 2005

" We Will Remember Them " Cyril Sherbourne, Ron Goldstein and Lew (Larry) Fox on parade with AJEX 2004

In 2003, at the age of 80, I started to post stories and pictures on this site.

I began my meanderings from the year 1939 and kept going until I reached 1947, which was when the Government of the time decided it was safe to release me back to 'Civvy Street'.

I deliberately omitted stories about the blitz although I had more than my fair share of this phenomena, having sensibly considered that many civilians would have a lot to say on this subject and how right I was proven to be.

When it came to subject matter I was luckier than most, perhaps, because my stories were already half written as both entries in my wartime diaries and pages in the family book â€œAnd then there were elevenâ€.

Then there was my Army Album, a full ninety pages here, and already packed full of photographs and memorabilia.

As my â€˜portfolioâ€™ of stories started to take form I realised that I was, in effect, transferring my Army Album into the Public Domain and I became eager to finish it while I still had the energy and, much later, before the site stopped taking new entries and became the Archive that it both threatened and promised to be.

I tried desperately to write only of matters that I could put my hand on my heart as being true and I therefore kept dialogue to the minimum. With dates and places, this was fairly easy, particularly as apart from my own diaries I had access to the Regimental Histories of both the 49th LAA Rgt and the 4th Queenâ€™s Own Hussars.

Having said that, I found that in some cases I could remember every word of an incident that had taken place over sixty years earlier just as though it had been burned into my memory.

As I read other stories on the site I found myself becoming increasingly impatient with tales of daring-do that were patently, to be kind, a bit shaky on established fact.

As a â€˜Site Helperâ€™ I tried to avoid controversy when it came to reminding people about such factual slip-ups as saying, for example, that the Queen of Tonga took part in the 1946 Victory Parade celebrations.

I won some such arguments, I lost some, as Archive Day draws ever closer I am resigned to the fact that many of the stories that will be preserved will paint a less than accurate picture of life in World War II.

This small piece should, with a bit of luck, be the last piece I shall submit to the â€œPre-Archiveâ€ site. I am aware that I have sometimes over-stepped the boundary of valid criticism as opposed to legitimate comment and for this I beg my readerâ€™s pardon.

Like many other writers to this site, I have read some wonderful stories and made many new friends. When the stories have been good they have been very good and I encourage future readers to browse around. You will soon see that the gold shines through the dross.

Cockfosters
2nd October 2005

Ron

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These messages were added to this story by site members between June 2003 and January 2006. It is no longer possible to leave messages here. Find out more about the site contributors.

Message 1 - People's War Contributions

Posted on: 02 October 2005 by ritsonvaljos

Hello Ron,

If this is going to be your last posting (dare I say 'swansong'?) I thought I'd say yet again what a fine job you, and indeed the other Site Helpers, have done. Perhaps you can move on from here and edit some of your memoirs into a book and have it published?

Regarding what you say about some accounts being posted that look like they are wholly or partially incorrect, well I reckon you have a point. In fact, I reckon that sometimes the already generally accepted 'true version' of facts is not necessarily true.

According to Professor M.R.D. Foot: "As a rule, documents written down at the time make the best sources for history". So, the accounts you have posted based on your wartime diary entries must be classed as being based on good authority. Using these and the considered reflection in your accounts based on the wisdom of a lifetime has led to you writing some very useful contributions to the history of WW2.

Naturally, there must be times when contemporaneous written documents are incorrect. For example, I have seen letters and copies of newspapers from 1944 stating Paris was liberated on 22 August. The reason being our dear 'Aunty ´óÏó´«Ã½' broadcast this information based on a pre-written story that had not been checked by the censor. This announcement was some days premature. Anyone still with a Forces newspaper stating the Liberation was on 22 August possibly would quote that date, and all because of one incorrect ´óÏó´«Ã½ broadcast. This inaccuracy is in itself an event of history, and not criticising the ´óÏó´«Ã½ by the way! Just wanted to make that last point.

In fact, over the past few weeks I've helped as a volunteer for the local ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio CSV Action Desk, helping people to post their waritme memories. We wouldn't challenge the veracity of what someone said, as it is their story as they remember it. Those of us born after the war might not know much about the specific thing someone talks about or has written down. However, we would try and help the person get their account right as much as we can. Believe me, it can be really difficult understanding some accents, specific military terminology or the correct spelling of some foreign place names.

Unfortunately, there have been some people who have been most impolite, if I can put it mildly, and somewhat overly critical (dare I say rude?) about volunteers helping out the "People's War" project. For example, I was handing out "People's War" forms at an IWM touring exhibition at Carlisle and I had several comments made to me about one of the 'Timelines' that read 'England at War'. Carlisle is known as the 'Border City' and it is only a dozen or so miles from Bonnie Scotland! Of course this was down to the IWM rather than the ´óÏó´«Ã½ "People's War", and in any case I just laughed it off. I won't mention any other instances, but I believe other volunteers have had unfair criticism as well.

However, any of your own contributions to discussions about "People's War" accounts that I have read, Ron, have been very useful. Your help and suggestions where to look for information have been first class. So, along with the other Site Helpers, take a pat on the back Ron!

Thanks!

Ìý

Message 2 - People's War Contributions

Posted on: 03 October 2005 by Ron Goldstein

Dear Jos

Many thanks for your comments.

If there is going to be any 'patting on the back' on the closing day of this site then you can start with yourself.

We 'oldies' had and have a vested interest in matters relating to WW2, after all, we lived through those times and still remember them.

You are of a later generation and for completely unselfish reasons you and others like you, have decided to spend time and energy on research of that period in our history.

By your actions you give honour to those who served and died during those times.

More power to your elbow and all good wishes in your future research.

Ron

Ìý

Message 3 - People's War Contributions

Posted on: 06 October 2005 by ritsonvaljos

Hello again Ron,

Thanks for your kind comments. It's a great honour coming from someone like your good self.

Perhaps the truth is really that the "People's War" project has been an inter-generational forum so that knowledge and wisdom is being passed on. I just hope all of this remains accessible for the generations yet to come. It would be a shame for everything to disappear from the public domain in a few years if the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is the sole custodian maintaining it.

When I was a teenager, I was like all other teenagers and never really listened when my older relatives did talk about what happened in WW1 or WW2. It never ceases to amaze me what people did during the war, and what you all put up with! And yet, in the midst of all this, there were many joyous moments and laughter as well.

Those like you Ron, who have lived through the war years and taken the time to pass on your own guidance, knowledge and wisdom have been tremendous with this project. In fact, a few months ago I thought I had an idea what went on during WW2, until I started reading or listening about what went on in Italy, Burma, Britain or wherever. Of course, you are one of those who have helped guide the rest of us where to look to find information. To be honest Ron many of us would not have got far without guidance from Site Helpers like your good self.

I've just been looking at your sory about the WW2 'Victory Parade' in 1946. One of my uncles marched in it, and I've posted an account about this. I have an original newspaper article from the end of May 1946 saying he was going to march in this Parade and I can also remember some things he mentioned about it. The newspaper article mentions the date he was going to have lunch with thr Government Minister Manny Shinwell (Friday 7 June 1946).

After reading your story about the Parade being on Saturday 8 June I went back to look at the newspaper article and it doesn't actually mention the date of the march, just the date he had lunch with the Minister while he was in London. Sometimes, it is so difficult to find out the exact details and write it down correctly. So I now think my uncle must have went to this lunch on the Friday and then marched in the Parade on the Saturday. When I tried to locate references to the Victory Parade I found very little about it. There was supposed to have been a newsreel made about it, which I hope is in an archives somewhere. So Ron, you have come up trumps again.

Thanks again.
ritsonvaljos

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