Photocopying Papers

I have today been photocopying all the papers I found after my Mother died. They have brought so many memories to the forefront. These papers have included not only cards sent to my Mother by my Father while he was abroad, but also the last card he sent before his death. He always wrote a few lines in the cards that he sent and the last lines in this anniversary card read "to think on without regret, & there's lot left us, us two, yet." How wrong he was, 9months later he had died. Mam always said that he knew he was dying and left a tape recording for us, I am looking for a spare reel at the moment as we have filled all our reels on the tape recorder (it's a very old reel to reel one).

As much as my Father 'played around' and disappeared for months on end, I truly believe that she was his real love. I know that there was no other man for Mam and she loved him to the end of her life. Once she told me that after he retired it was just like being on honeymoon all over again. This makes me smile now as I think of it - they were married in England and then sailed to Singapore (six week honeymoon!). She told me that as the boat left Southampton, the band was playing 'Red Sails in the Sunset' and this was so appropriate as she sailed west down the Solent and into sunset. Mam's new life took a lot of getting used to really, she had not only the Army life but also the life style. I must admit that, after going to Africa, I can understand a little bit of this, one is treated almost like a God and servants are eager to serve you. She loved the life, especially the heat and the tropical planting. I think she found a freedom that she never had at home - she was the youngest child with three older brothers. She was devastated when she lost her first child - Keith Edward - and then when she had a miscarraige, she began to feel 'lost'. The nurse at the hospital, when she arrived as she had to travel by ferry to the mainland, asked what she had done this time and my mother was appalled that anyone could think she didn't want this baby! My father was home every night and they attend many parties and social functions. When Ena was born she had an amah to help her but found it difficult to leave her beautiful baby and only left her when she had no other choice - again the Regimental parties etc. Even after they moved to Gibraltor, she was still enamoured of the Army life. When Peter and I went to Gib (as my father called it) it felt unreal to think that I was walking where both my parents and sister had walked pushing Tony in a pram and then years later Tony had walked when he was stationed there. So I continue photocopying the certificates; births, weddings & funerals........