大象传媒

Those who did not return from foreign fields were mostly in their 20s with the same hopes for the future as todays youngsters, enjoying going to the pub or watching their children at play.

One such lad at 22 was evacuated from the Dunkirk beaches, returned home to wed his sweetheart and within a year became the proud father to a son he only saw for seven days before returning to the war.

Two years later having been seriously wounded he wrote a letter to his son.
A part of it went as follows:

Remember while you are young your Mummy will
always protect you, never cause her any trouble as it would break her heart and I wouldn't like that. You have her love and she will sacrifice anything for you. So to close, to you dear little boy, always fight for her as you have the lovliest Mummy in the world. I love you too, my boy, and will sacrifice anything for you too....

This letter arrived after the notification that he had died of his wounds on August 12 1943 and was buried at Bangalore War Cemetery in India.

Not a war hero of the movies just an ordinary young man who gave his life not only for his wife and son but for us all.

When he was 15 the mother gave her son his fathers letter and medals. They are his most treasured possessions.

In 2003 the son fulfilled his lifes ambition and travelled to India (his fathers body having been transfered to Madras Cemetery) taking a poem to place at his grave.
It went:

He was but one of many
When he gave his life for you
But I come here to remember him
Although I was only two
When he sent to me a letter
Knowing that he soon would die
From wounds that had turned fatal
Unde a sunny August sky
He told me to be strong and brave
Look after Mum with care
I've done that Dad these 60 years
And have come to make you aware
That grandchildren and great grandchildren
Will speak your name with pride
Because it was for their freedom
On that day you died.

Your loving son Robin
25.10.2003

I hope these few lines bring to life for all those who are far too young to remember the sacrifice of those 'boys next door' and to keep the memory of one such lad alive for future generations.

In memory of William Turner 835432 27th Field Regiment RA

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