12 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS
FOR OLD SOLDIERS
Asking your Dad, or Grandpa
.. and your Grandmother as tens of
thousands served in the women's services
.. just these few questions could save you
a great deal of time later, and save many
a false trail through records that have no
relevance because you guessed the wrong
regiment, ship, etc.
My generation mostly missed the chance to
get this info from our World War One
veterans; I know I did with my grandad,
and there is so much I would love to know.
Too late now. Don't make the same mistake
with our World War Two veterans ...
mostly, they will be glad you asked, and
pleased to help. Especially when they know
why you're asking.
Remember these few points as you ask :
A lot of Veterans, had they had computers
and notebooks 50 years ago, would have
written this down themselves. They
just never got around to it.
Ask them now ... politely, and with
compassion. Just remember that many
memories are too painful to
recall, so don't press matters. Time works
wonders.
Remember that many men are even more
reluctant to talk to girls about war
... that is why my grandfather didn't tell
his four daughters anything, but was
willing to tell me, his grandson, a
little. But I was young and foolish then,
didn't ask the right questions, and even
more foolishly didn't write down the
answers. Please, don't make the same
mistakes as I did.
Good Luck.
Tip : if you Cut & Paste these
questions, you can print this page to take
your answers.
1.
What made you
want to join up (if not conscripted)
Boyhood
dream .. out of work .. spur of the
moment, join your mates, etc
2.
Why did you
choose your particular Service.
Or did you not have a
choice.
3.
Where did you
sign on, and how old were you.
Which
recruiting office
What
did your parents think to it. Supportive
or what?
How
many years did you serve altogether …
give dates if poss.
4.
Where did you
go to start with .. perhaps for basic
training.
What
sort of barracks or camp, or ship, was
it.
Was it remote, or in a town.
5.
Was the
training hard.
Ask
about the camp, NCO’s, food, spare time,
etc
6.
Did you make
many friends.
Any
lifelong friends, any mates you got into
trouble with ? … any you're still in
touch with.
7.
What was your
first posting.
Which
Army Unit … was it part of a larger
outfit, like a brigade or division.
If
a ship, was it part of a larger
flotilla, or squadron …
Air
Force … which squadron, airfields served
on ….
8.
Did you
specialise for a trade, go on courses …
Trades
such as Signals, fitter, marksman,
engineer, armoury, gunner, motor
transport, wireless, etc
Where
…. What was it like. Any qualifications
… did your trade fit you for life in
Civvy Street.
9.
Talk about
some of the officers and leaders you’ve
known …
The
best of them, the worst of them …
include NCO’s
Who
was your Commanding Officer. Who was the
senior NCO.
10.
Did you get
to go abroad, foreign postings …
What
was the travel like … did you go by
troopship or by air
Describe
… first impressions on landing.
Was
it how you thought it would be.
11.
Did you lose
any mates …
In
combat .. … or by accident
Attend
any funerals or act as pallbearers or
side-party.
12.
On demob ….
What
was it like getting back to Civvy Street
Finding
a job
Adjusting
Sleep
and relaxation
Any
regrets. …would you do it again …. Not
likely, or wouldn’t have missed it for
the world.
Just
Close the Tab, or Window, when you've
done ...
your Sutton page should still be open
behind.
In a similar way, here are some
suggested
"QUESTIONS FOR ALL
GRANDPARENTS"
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