The older generation

[Motu]

An older generation, stiff upper lip and so on. But there comes a time when a man (in particular, women too, I guess) realise that there isn't long to go, and something deep inside says "Time to pass the knowledge and history on - it must not die with you".

In the last few months of my mother's life she started saying things that didn't quite fit with the story of my family history as I had it.I'd say ''But I thought....?'' And then she'd tell me what really happened...not that I'd been told a lie,just a hell of a lot of gaps.A lot of stuff went to the grave with her,but that's how she wanted it.When pushed,she wouldn't talk about her early life before she became part of my father's family - ''That was my life,it has nothing to do with you,I didn't want to ever bring it into this family....but I'll write it down so you can read it when I'm gone''.So we found a book where she had written about her life as a girl and young lady - it was sad,it was shocking,I was hurt and angry,why couldn't she have told me about it? But she was right,that was her life,her memories,she didn't bring that pain into her own family....and I thank her for that.But I'm still angry....at other people long dead.

[scumdog]

The old man made a surprising announcement the other day, he mentioned an ambush he had been in and how he had got out of the truck and into cover and a few of the others were dead and bullet were flying thick and fast etc.

And then he said "that was the one time I thought I was going to be killed, I was in a ditch, was down to three bullets and thought I was doomed, all I though about was how I was going to miss life"

He'd never mentioned the thought of being killed before - and with some of the stuff he had done it must have been a pretty bad situation for him to think that..

[MIXONE]

Go to the RSA after ANZAC services and some of the tales that are told by the old soldiers will make your hair curl.As a kid I soaked it up and loved it.
Great thread that brings back some fabulous memories.

[Blackbird]

I guess that I almost? qualify for Old Codger status myself but this thread has certainly struck a chord with me. I adored both sets of grandparents whilst I was growing up and my maternal grandfather was one of my pit crew when I drag raced in the '60's - just wonderful to have him around.

Ixion talked about "stiff upper lip". Granddad was a lovely, warm human being but one thing he would NEVER talk about is his WW1 experience. The attached photo is one of my most treasured possessions and going into battle with just a revolver and sabre as part of a cavalry charge doesn't bear thinking about, let alone talking about.

Very special people, grandparents.

[Dave Lobster]

He talks to me about what his mother and father were like. What he got up to at Port back in the day (some stories are just down right hilarious.

Record these stories. Not just for you, but for your children too.

[MadDuck]

Record these stories. Not just for you, but for your children too.

What a good idea! Also get all your old family photos named and recorded. Ok may sound a bit soft but.....

My grandparents are all passed now as are my parents and I have a box full of photos of people from our family including the second world war. But I dont know who they are which is kind of sad because my nephew and niece will never get the stories passed on to them.

I still have awesome memories of my grandfathers war stories. He was a bit of a rogue in the Merchant Navy. Hmmm also I may have many relatives around the world I have never meet