-
-
Writer:- Jan Whisson
Western Australia
I JUST WONDERED, POP
I just wondered, Pop………………….
Were you excited, or scared, when you heard there was going to be a war?
Did you think it was an opportunity to travel and see the world? Did you think it would be fun?
I just wondered, Pop, how did you tell your mum that you were going to war? Did she cry?
Was your dad proud that you wanted to be a pilot and fly a Lancaster bomber?
Did you feel lucky that you could train at the Cunderdin Airfield, so close to home? Did you enjoy the dances that they put on at the town hall for the airmen? Did you have a girlfriend that you had to leave behind?
I just wondered, Pop, what it was like to leave Australia for the first time and watch the blue, green and gold of our country disappear out of your view? Did you think you would be home ‘by Christmas’? What was it like to be based in England, so far away from the farm, your family and friends?
Did you look forward to getting letters and parcels from home? I bet you had favourite things that you missed?
You must have become very close to your fellow airmen as you lived a whole new life, one that you could not be sure that you would return from? Or did you not think about that?
I just wondered how you coped with flying your bomber over Germany? Were you scared as the flak sprayed past the plane as you delivered your deadly cargo? Did you think your luck would run out with each bombing raid you made? Did you lie awake at night?
Pop, I think you were very brave and I am so happy that you did come home and work on the farm again. Thank you for telling me stories about your life.
Pop, I was proud to walk beside you as you were wheeled in your wheelchair at the ANZAC Day march each year.
I am proud to wear your medals as I march for you now.
Pop, I was wondering…………………………..Would you be proud of me?