大象传媒

My brother was in the TA before the war started and as soon as the war broke out they sent for him. He was one of the first to go to France. When the Germans invaded France he was in the thick of the fighting and was taken prisoner. He was then taken to a prisoner of war camp in Poland, camp XX1B. He was reported as missing presumed killed and my mother received a telegramme to this effect.
My mum used to play the organ in the front room but as soon as she received the telegramme she stopped playing it and it was to be about four years before she started again.
After two years she received notification he was still alive but a prisoner of war. It was another two years 1944 in fact before he was repatriated having suffered rheumatic fever more than once. At the same time my other brother was being sent to Burma where he died some four months later in action against the Japanese. Another telegramme was sent to my mother in June 1944 advising he was killed in action. The morning she received the telegramme my Dad had missed his shift at the pit as he had slept in so he picked up the telegramme and took it back to my mum who was still in bed. He left her to read it but on hearing her sobs he returned to read the telegramme himself. They couldn鈥檛 talk to each other or offer any comfort.

My Father decided to go out for a walk and saw one of his friends who spoke to him but he completely broke down and was unable to answer.
I joined up in 1948 into the Medical Corp. and was sent out to Italy where I was for two years doing my National Service. During this time my older brother had got himself a job at the pit but for many years after he suffered from nightmares.
Having completed my National Service and returned home the first thing my Mother asked was when are you going back!
I was told it would take me six years to settle but in fact it took many years.
Derek has also written a poem which he has dedicated to his brother who was killed in action in Burma and you can read it by putting "A tribute to a soldier" in the search box above.

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