b'Remembrance Day (continued from page 21)apparently she did get word and had thought she had lost both sons but on different ships.It was two weeks before radio silence was broken and the truth was known. Both my Dad and Uncle survived. I can only image the thousands of households that re-ceived news like this.Backinthe60sourhousewas broken into and unfortunately all my Dads medals were stolen.He had kept them in a box and never had themreplaced.Henevershowed them or talked about them, the onlyMy uncle, left, and my dad on the right. My mum on the right.thingIcanrememberhimsaying was they would not be the originalsto my Nans lack of rations and theremembered the black outs, air raids and he would not replace them. many mouths to feed and helped outand having to wear a gas mask dur-MyMumwasaWAAFduringwhen she could.It also helped thating these times. They didnt have the WWll, and like my Dad didnt speakmy Granddad had chickens.I havetubes to run to and go under ground; much about it. In 1941 at the age ofalways thought she must have beenher memory is of going to the base-17, my Mum got her Dads signatureagrandduchesslivinginahomement and praying while holding her toenrollbeforeher18thbirthday.like Downton Abbey, and my Nanfavourite doll. She not only wanted to serve but IwasMrs.Hughes. Apparently,Im We have instilled in our daugh-think with eight mouths to feed andnot too far off the mark.The houseters the meaning of the Poppy and her being the eldest child it helpedwas certainly not as large, howeverwhy we wear it, and they in turn are the family a little bit.still very grand and with many acresexplaining it to our grandchildren. Mum would say how she savedto its name.I saw it when I was 16,It is extremely important that future all her ration coupons so when shewhile visiting with my Mum & Dad.generations realize the sacrifice that was on leave, she would cash themVery impressive!!!The grand ladywas made by their ancestors and to allinandbringhomecigaretteswould give my Nan china and I ambe proud of them. The Poppy sym-forherDadandsweetsforher5pleasedtosayapiecewaspassedbolizes not just our fallen heros but siblings.Needless to say, my Nanadown to me.Its a cream and sugarthe ones that came home as well.was happy to receive the extra rationmade by Rosenthal.I have had itDeborah coupons for the likes of sugar andappraised and NO I cannot retire to anything else.my own Downton Abbey.Just a niceP. S.Watch Tom Hanks new movie My Grandad was out of work dur- memory. Greyhoundit certainly brought to ing this time and my Nana was em- MyAuntwaselevenyearslife what my dad went through being ployed as the head housekeeper foryounger than my Mum and she hadon a Merchant Marine Ship. The movie a wealthy family.Things were stilladifferentmemoryandprospec- is not based on a true story, but it takes rationed for this family; however, thetive of the war. She was 6 years oldinspiration from real-life WWII historical lady of the house was very sensitivewhen my Mum joined in 1941. Sheevents.We Remember Blinds-Draperies-Shutters-Shades Great Selection-Stylish Colours Superior Service-Satisfaction Guaranteed!Shop for your home, in your home. Call now for yourFree Consultations.Joe & Cathy Gibson, Blackstock905-213-2583www.budgetblinds.com/portperry22 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2020'