My Father died today?

Question

He was my father. Though we lived far apart we were close because we were brothers of the salt. Sounds ridculous, but true.
We both joined the Royal Navy at 15, he in 1935, me in 1980. When he came to my passing out parade at H.M.S. Ganges, he could see the ghosts of all his old comrades where I could see a recreation lounge. But I understood. Sailors will only ever be understood by sailors. Same with soldiers or airmen.
He had a shitload of medals, not for anything outstanding, just because he was there.
Of all the stories he ever told, I can only bring one to mind. He was a bit of a singer, my dad, used to sing with a band. Bing Crosby sort of stuff.
As the second world war was finishing , in the Far East, he and his band did a concert for the the prisoners of Changi prison, in Singapore. So traumatised were these men that, after the concert, they went back inside the prison to sleep, seeking safety in a hellhole that was familiar.
How do I ever live up to that.
I love you Dad

Answer 1

My heart goes out to you. Always remember his stories and pass them on to your own children.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My hubby & his father were the same way but my husband didn't come to terms with their relationship until 10 yrs. before he died. But they were never close as his dad had so much anger.

Oddly enough it was after he died & I started doing genealogy that he began to understand why his dad had been the way he was & to see how much his dad had loved him. He had just never been able to show it.

His dad had been abandoned by his dad, in the civilian conservation corp, north africa, ardennes, trained pilots for night jumping & men to ride motorcycles & even saved a french village then lost all reconigtion except an honorable discharge by the army for getting caught selling cigs on the black market.

In so many ways he was larger than life and it pained hubby he had never known before.

No matter how old you are I think you still feel like an orphan when your parent dies. It hurts like heck. But you know the Bible says no greater love has any man than he lay down his life for another. Every soldier willingly risks this just by being there.

So I see those like my FIL & dad with a special place in heaven with all the other vets, laughing & telling their stories. A place where they can find peace & acceptance that all too often evades them here. Hope you find the same.

God bless & comfort you in your grief & hold you in the hollow of his hands.

Answer 3

My father was a Prisoner of War on the Burma railway. At the end of the war he returned home via Singapore and he may well have heard your Dad at that concert. It was good people like your father who helped those traumatised, like my father, gradually to return to the real world. May they both rest in peace.

Answer 4

I know I am just a kid but that doesn't mean my heart can't reach out to you. I'm sure he was as proud as anyone in the world when he saw you join the Navy just as he did. Remember that.
You should write down everything he ever told you about his experiences in the Royal Navy so so you can tell people about what a great person he was. You and your family are in my prayers.
RIP, Sir.

Answer 5

no longer something. in basic terms enable your self to grieve besides. it truly isn't any much less substantial for you than it truly is him. sturdy, macho stiff top lip isn't mandatory. Being actual is. are you able to talk to social amenities and discover out if there is any tips available? try additionally Samaritans on line. they have components to stay with up, information they can furnish to help cope. it truly is going to be a tricky trip for you the two. So it truly is totally nicely to be jello and sense no longer able to attend to it at situations. Take the wear and tear out... on a pillow. Works wonders. don't be shocked in the journey that your bf regresses to a 5 y.o. in an attempt to regulate. it is wonderful, too. you will get by way of... finally.

Answer 6

HMS Ganges trained boy entrants from 1905 to 1976. How could your pass-out parade be 1980?

Answer 7

By honoring his memory! Do you have any letters written home during the War? His medals, they didn't just give them away like chocolate bars ya know? Call the newspaper after reserching through his stuff and the library about his unit and what ship(s) they served aboard. And then share his story with the newspaper. These of "THE GREATEST GENERATION EVER BORN" are slipping away everyday and their story needs told. A woman here in Cincinnati did just that about her father and included pictures too. So for the 'PRESERVATION OF YOUR FATHER AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THAT GREAT WAR, PLEASE DO SO!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

As long as you have cherished memories of your father, and are able to pass them on, he will never really be gone.

Rest In Peace Sailor, may you have Calm Seas and Blue Skies and a Fresh wind, to aid you on your Journey to a safe port.

Answer 9

Oh dear one, you sound like you loved your dad very much. You have my deepest sympathy at this sad time in your life. Thank you for sharing this as your dad sounds a lovely man. Bless you and I hope that you won't be afraid to talk with your friends at home about him, it's different sharing with us here as we cannot physically comfort you, but whatever remember we are here to support you. Peace. x

Answer 10

My Thoughts and prayers go out to you in your time of loss.
My father was in the US navy and served from from 1939 until1969.He died shortly after his retirement in 1972.
Be grateful for the time you had with him.
The things our fathers did made this world for what it is today and we should be grateful for their service.
Godspeed D

Answer 11

Thanks for sharing your Dad with us for a few minutes. The WWII generation sure stepped up when their nation needed them. May God rest his soul.

My dad was in the U.S. Army as a medic in North Africa. He is one of the dwindling number still left. He is 90 years old. Still plays the guitar.

.