tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8550214407269277609.post5187723733011148497..comments2023-10-08T21:27:50.662+11:00Comments on Plumbing the Deeps: What constitutes a War Grave?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00647929951322724618noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8550214407269277609.post-36720887479458566832011-10-21T15:50:41.919+11:002011-10-21T15:50:41.919+11:00I always follow and enjoy your stories Julie but t...I always follow and enjoy your stories Julie but this one had personal relevance because my husband's family lived in the Milne Bay district for many years as did I for a lesser time. I wasn't at all surprised at the comment about the jungle being impassable...it really is and was incredible country. My husband, as a teenager, worked on the plantation where the Aussies had been situated. I have a story about it over on my blog at http://cassmob.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/sadds-ridge-rd-and-milne-bay-papua-new-guinea/.<br /><br />My own father was in the railway -a protected/restricted occupation. During the war he even supervised Italian internees. When I tried to simply get him a certificate of service (no pension, no rewards) it was refused because he wasn't confined to a military barracks as I recall. He, and my mother, were quite disappointed. <br /><br />I'm glad your quest has been successful and the fact that you feel you've done the right thing is the important bit.Cassmob (Pauleen)https://www.blogger.com/profile/18397134336319778519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8550214407269277609.post-56561461535165881562011-10-20T23:55:34.731+11:002011-10-20T23:55:34.731+11:00It is all so complicated, any wonder some people g...It is all so complicated, any wonder some people give up trying to get anything even if they deserved it. I reckon anyone who went to war deserve heaps of recognition and support. They must all suffer some type of trauma. My parents resented that servicemen were allowed benefits but civilians like them who suffered awful bombing attacks in London were not given any support. War sucks.diane bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002292118984909883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8550214407269277609.post-19475476067268239572011-10-20T20:10:36.895+11:002011-10-20T20:10:36.895+11:00Thanks for the explanation. My Mum and Dad refuse...Thanks for the explanation. My Mum and Dad refused to get a pension, they were going to keep themselves. Eventually, towards the end of Dad's life I persuaded him that he would be eligible for a veterans pension and he did go for that - it made all the difference. The men and women of that era really did carry their war service with pride. <br /><br />I found a photo of my Mum at the war memorial. She was a Lieutenant in the signals corps.<br /><br />Neither of them took up smoking in the forces, they were committed to "abstaining from strong drink, and tobacco".Joan Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16358008925558240778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8550214407269277609.post-21581811146170131972011-10-20T10:25:36.894+11:002011-10-20T10:25:36.894+11:00Perhaps because they were so young, so bored, so h...Perhaps because they were so young, so bored, so hooked on tobacco. For me it is just a process. Dad had a long life. Not a perfect life - who does? But a long one. He wanted me holding his hand as he died. I was.<br /><br />Now I am doing this ... no idea if he is pissed off at me or not. Don't mind really. It all makes sense in my head.<br /><br />Just thought. I am about to go up the north coast to spend 4 days with my brothers. So dont think poorly of me if I dont respond until Monday sometime.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09513648613788716017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8550214407269277609.post-10267246667317064482011-10-20T10:13:32.457+11:002011-10-20T10:13:32.457+11:00I dunno why - I just felt so terribly sad after re...I dunno why - I just felt so terribly sad after reading this.freefallinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08863000229609701796noreply@blogger.com