Poppy

My grandfather was not tall, but had a fat tummy. When I was a toddler, apparently I said that if he ate any more he would pop, and the name stuck. Everyone called him Poppy after that.

Poppy was called up to fight in the Second World War. In 1940 he left home at the age of 22 to join the Hampshire Regiment. In recent years, he told us about the day he left home. You have to remember that memories of "The Great War" were still fresh in people's minds. Many had lost fathers & uncles in the trenches. The young men who were called up to fight in the 1940s were not expected to return home. Indeed, Poppy's parents gave away most of his belongings while he was away.

He told us that the first day, he went off on a train and arrived at a camp to spend the first night. They were put into an army hut and all they had were a number of wooden "beds" to sleep on. It was cold and they had no blankets, but luckily Poppy had a good coat and lay down and covered himself in that. During the night, he heard many of the boys crying.

Poppy was a very intelligent man and was transferred to REME where he worked on R.A.D.A.R., which was at that time top secret. Helping the anti-aircraft guns hunt down enemy aircraft, his hearing was damaged so that he spent his later years profoundly deaf, but he never claimed a penny. He lived most of his life feeling guilty that he had survived when so many of his colleagues had not. It is important to remember these stories and tell them. War is stupid and futile and must be avoided when at all possible.

There are lots more tales from my relatives. Most didn't talk about their experiences for years, but a few stories came out towards the end of their lives. Two of my great uncles fought in the far East, one in Burma. My other grandfather fought in Africa. Both my parents were born after the second world war, so lucky for me both my grandfathers survived or I wouldn't be here today. Poppy died last year at the age of 92.  He was a quiet, dignified man who worked hard all his life. I'll always remember him. This card is for Poppy.

"for Poppy"

The picture is by Monet. This poem was written by my Mum when Poppy died and she kindly gave me permission to reproduce it here.

Poppies

Maybe at this time of year
You will remember me
When longed for Sun
Breaks suddenly
Across the fields you’ll see
My crimson petals dancing
And you will think of me
Watch the red poppies
You will remember me

© Valerie Anne Lloyd 2010

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