Grandfather's Final Salute
My grandfather was born in 1907. In 1940,
with three children and a wife at home, he joined the Army and was sent away to
war. He served in the 2/8 Battalion and survived having a ship sunk underneath
him, making it home in virtually one piece in 1943.
As a small girl, I remember the trips to my
grandparent’s house in Thornbury. Grandpa interested me. He smelled of pipe
tobacco and beer. Once we arrived, he would sit me on his knee and rub his
bristly stubble over my face. He wouldn’t do this to anyone else, just me. When
I asked why, my father replied it was because I was special. My initials were
the same as his. J. L. A.
As I grew older we’d sit and talk. I often asked him
what he’d done in the war and the answer was always the same.
“It doesn’t matter what I did, what matters
is that you will never have to go through what I did.”
He would never tell me what had happened to
him and only recently have I been able to obtain a copy of his records.
I told him that I would join the Army, just
as he had, to defend our country. His answer was, “I hope you never need to, my
girl, but I will be proud of you if you do.”
Grandpa died in 1973 when I was 11 years
old.
In February 1980, aged 18, I joined the
Regular Army and was sent to WRAAC (Womens Royal Australian Army Corps) School,
Mosman NSW for six weeks of boot camp. They worked us hard and each night we
feel into bed exhausted. I loved it.
One night, after being asleep for about an
hour, I woke, not knowing what had woken me. A mist gathered at the foot of my
bed and a distinct form emerged. Years had passed since I’d last seen him, but
I’d have recognized him anywhere. He nodded to me, smiled, stood to attention
and saluted me. I saluted back. As his arm returned to his side, he faded away.
I will never forget he remembered the promise I’d made as a child and had come
to visit and say well done.
~~~
Old buildings have an eerie haunting feeling, and the 17th
Century Manor house in the Cornish countryside Julia intends to
restore, is no exception. Originally her dead husband’s dream, she feels
it’s up to her to complete it in his memory.
When she arrives, she
realizes it’ll take more than a quick clean to put the dilapidated old
Manor to rights. While
exploring the house, she feels as someone, or something, is watching
her. Darting shadows and movements, seen from the corner of her eyes,
seem to confirm sinister happenings at the Manor in the past.
The
discovery of an old diary hidden in a chest of drawers and the story it
tells, lead Julia in a different direction than she originally thought
she would be taking.
Buy Links:
~~~
I'm J. L. Addicoat and I'm a published Author.
I have one book Published and have a second one under consideration.
My works contain genres of Romance, Paranormal and Science fiction.
I will be taking those who peruse these pages on a budding Authors journey, with pages on problems I encounter, tips from other writers and any pitfalls I may experience.
Maybe you would like to join me on my journey?
A little bit about me.
I live in the small country town of Gin Gin in Queensland Australia, with my husband Kevin and two spoilt felines, Ginge and Pookie (Spook). He's the one in the picture.
I have three children, all who are grown up with their own families. Books have always been a love in my life. They bring knowledge, but also an escape into another world where anything is possible.
I have one book Published and have a second one under consideration.
My works contain genres of Romance, Paranormal and Science fiction.
I will be taking those who peruse these pages on a budding Authors journey, with pages on problems I encounter, tips from other writers and any pitfalls I may experience.
Maybe you would like to join me on my journey?
A little bit about me.
I live in the small country town of Gin Gin in Queensland Australia, with my husband Kevin and two spoilt felines, Ginge and Pookie (Spook). He's the one in the picture.
I have three children, all who are grown up with their own families. Books have always been a love in my life. They bring knowledge, but also an escape into another world where anything is possible.
