- Contributed by听
- davidsoldier
- People in story:听
- Arthur Ball, Rosemary Ball, James ball, David Ball
- Location of story:听
- United Kingdom
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A2713051
- Contributed on:听
- 06 June 2004
Hello everyone
I am writing in the third person as I never went through WW2. My father Arthur served with the Royal Welsh (Welch) Fusiliers during the war while my mam stayed at home looking after a family during the bombing raids on Liverpool. Her brother, James Mc Afee served as a stoker on HMS repulse and later HMS Prince of Wales and was sank in 1944 by the Japanese and taken to Singapore, uncle Jim was taken at Singapores fall and died working on the Thai - Burma railroad. Being born in 1961 I never met my uncle James but have abiding memories of him passed down from my mother (As he was only 18 when he went to sea).I have the greatest respect for those that saw service during WW2 having been a member of the Armed Forces since 1978. During my career I have served in many places and have seen active service in Belize, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Whilst I aknowledge my contribution is minimal compared to the fight for freedom my fathers generation endured I can understand the acute loss of friends who have given their lives to the service of this country. Whilst my pain at losing my friends to what is now known as the war against terror is acute, it pales into insignificance against the hardships and sacrifices my father, mother , uncle, and countless others made.
My family are now all gone.
Lest we forget.
David
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