I was born in 1940; a vintage year? I think so.
Young as I was I have some vivid memories of that time and have included in my article some extracts from my book, "Churchill's Children". As yet unpublished, I may add!
My Uncle John, who served aboard HMS Cossack, was involved in the boarding of the Graf Spee's supply ship, the Altmark. They rescued hundreds of British merchant seamen.
He served at the second, terrible battle of Narvik, returning home on leave a changed and quiet man.
The Cossack helped to trail the Bismark until the capital ships caught up and battered her. John watched the battle and the sinking.
He had one more leave before a U-Boat torpedoed them and he was lost, along with his pal, Ralph from Newfoundland.
My mother, nearly 90, still mourns him.
In 1915 my father's brother, "Jimma", was lost at Jutland. He had lied about his age and was only 15 when he went down.
I feel that our family has paid its dues to the cause of freedom and I spend alot of time searching for old news and acquaintances who might tell me more.
For the last two years I have had the privilege of marching along Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, in the company of some old warriors from Cossack. This I count as a priceless experience.
At least twice yearly I meet with four other pals, also born in 1940. We grew up together. One face is missing, passed away seven years ago. We always buy him a pint and, because he cannot physically drink it himself, we do it for him!
He is not really missing, though. I know that he sits with us, his muckers of six decades.
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