Sunday 12 October 2014

War stories or home guard?

I was just getting nicely settled in at Human Granny's when it became obvious that she and Gail were going out for the day, and, you know how us pups can sense these things, it was also clear they were not planning to take me along.

I tried barricading the front door, but to no avail.

When they returned several hours later Gail showed me this photo.
Human Granny, Janet and 'Fossy'
It turns out Gail had taken Human Granny to a school reunion in York. HGY attended a Church of England convent boarding school in Yorkshire and the whole school was evacuated to Canada during the World War Two. The two ladies with HGY are her school friends Janet and 'Fossy'. They all been together in Toronto, away from their families, between the ages of nine and thirteen.

Gosh, how I wish I could have attended the reunion too, and heard all their stories.

So many questions I would like to have asked.

So not fair that I was forced to stay behind, guarding HGY's back lawn against further badger damage.

20 comments:

  1. Bertie - When it comes to guarding a boy has to do what a boy has to do.

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  2. OH BERTIE.... what a GRAND REUNION that Must Have BEEN... OH the Stories and the Tears and the Joy...
    WOW is all we can say. We are sorry that you did not get to attend... butt SO VERY MUCH happy that your HGM DID with Miss Gail's Help. What a GRAND time ...

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  3. Yes but protecting the back lawn is far more important dude as what would they do without you?
    Wyatt has nominated you for Share It Sunday, You don't have to do anything just email us the link to the post you'd like us to host and your nomination for the week after. Still chuckle over Hamish's finest hour/
    We are at mollyDOTthewalltATbtinternetDOTcom.
    Have a serene and easy Sunday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  4. what a wonderful meeting - there were also many many children sent to Australia - they have been called "the stolen generation' as many were told their parents had died and they were adopted out only to find out years later they had whole families back in England and sadly - it was in part done by the catholic church.

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    1. Momma and me watched a documentary on dat one time... it were sad... dey used dose kiddos like slave labor almost... really awful. Church of England did it too... sad. http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/eastmidlands/series9/week_nine.shtml

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    2. Just to clarify - my mother was sent to Canada by her parents to escape the bombing. While there, a Canadian couple, 'Aunt' Florence and 'Uncle' Stanley cared for her in the school vacations, and it seems were most incredibly kind, loving and generous and took her skiing in winter and canoeing in the and summer and gave her many opportunities that she would not have had back home. So the story is far from being a tragedy. Cheers, Gail.

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  5. Hari OM
    Bertie boy you are the bestest badger guard to paw, so whilst you missed on some good stories, you earned lots of cuddles and hugs for your work, I am sure! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  6. It's sad that you were left behind BUTT you did an impawtent job. What a blessed reunion!

    Your pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  7. What an interesting lady you HGY is.
    And you were doing a very important job guarding against badgers !
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  8. We hope Gail listened to all the stories.....so much history gets lost when the participants go.

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  9. We are sorry you didn't get to go but thanks for sharing this wonderful story. It is important we remember.

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  10. Wow, dat musta been scary for dem to be so far away from dere families.

    Betcha did a good job guardin from badgers.

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  11. We think that, although you might have had a wonderful time, you were much needed to guard the backyard!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  12. What a fun time going to the reunion! They are very special times amongst friends. We just know that your GMA was pleased to be there.

    You did a great job Bertie protecting the home and yard!!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  13. You gets dose badgers, Bertie!! I bet dat wuz skerry bein' so far away from home...

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  14. Oh Bertie what a wonderful post on HGMa and her friends.
    We had heard about children being evacuated during the war but didn't know any personally. What brave little girls.
    Give HGma a hug from us. Mom recently visited with her friend, Annette,whose mom was British. Annette's mom met her Dad during WWII. Annette was telling mom about her mom coming over to the US on the War Bride ship. So many stories we didn't know about during the WWI and WWII
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  15. Some one has to keep those badgers in line!

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  16. How wonderful for HGY to be able to meet with her friend from the past and share memories with them.

    Remember...they also serve who only guard against the badgers.

    Gus

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  17. Crikey ..... that was very nice of Gail to take her HGY to the reunion. I bet they had a wonderful time reminiscing. What lovely ladies they all look. You did a great job lookin' after things back at home, Bertie.

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  18. We are so glad Gail was fortunate to be able to take HGY to the reunion. Our GPA was in WWII and our Mom would love to have heard the stories that he held to himself. And even though you did not get to go, we think you did a most important job being a badger scout!

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