text: Publish or Perish: The Generosity of Others
  I love talking to people for research - you meet the most amazing characters. I once had to interview a 97 year old lady whose memory was better than mine! She made the past come alive for me - so I do understand the feeling of priviledge that you have when someone shares this - it's quite magical - a kind of time travelling.
  Hope you've recovered from your traumas. I think the work that you do is fantastic.
  Al a great post,sadly these old gentlemen are passing now and it is people like you that help to retain the human stories behind the horror of war.I have on occasion been to the Imperial War Museum and believe all schoolchildren should visit.You come away from a visit perplexed as to why humankind still resorts to this method of resolving an argument.
  In answer to the English thing,well as an Aussie you will know we are a funny lot!I think it comes down to the Act of Union which finally put an end to centuries of border conflict between England and Scotland.Talk to most Scots and they will tell you that England is a peninsular to the south of Scotland.Talk to an Englishman and he will tell you that his taxes go north of the border to support the Scots.Both statements are true.There is a love hate relationship,but at the end of the day we are better together than apart.We are a small island people who traditionally are suspicious of Europe and thus very independent of mind.I feel a post coming on!
  What a great story Al... thanks for posting this.
  This was a great post. It's so important to collect these stories from those who experienced them. Thanks so much for sharing.
  For all that has been written and told about this war, there always seems to be something new to learn, particularly when you can get it first hand. My husband's uncle was one of the guys that never was able to talk about it. He actually saved seven men when he crawled out into a no-man's land to pull them back to safety. But no one in the family would ever have known about it if one of the men serving with him had not made it known to the family.
  love this incrediable story,the pictures are awesome, always something new to learn.
  and yes I'd be delighted (in responce to what you said in my comment box, drop me a line just click on my email)
  Characters is the word! That direct link with the past is all too precious.
  I am essentially well and truly OK. It's not nice (understatement of the year) but it happens, the main thing is to take time to look after yourself and I've learnt to do that.
  Oz is littered with war memorials, but somehow we don't learn.
  Careful mate! an Aussie never needs prompting to call Pommies odd! :)
  Have fun with the post.
  You are most welcome! I just had to share, people like Ron are an inspiration!
  Thank you! You're right such events vanish into the mists of time if we aren't careful.
  Wow! Your uncle(uncle-in-law?)must have been so brave. So often people won't or can't talk about what they have been through. Almost always the brave don't see what they have done as special. Usually their line is "any one would have don it in those circumstances". Not true of course most of us keep our heads down.