Last November when visiting my hubby's Aunty (one of my 'sisters') I was overwhelmed when she offered me this ring. It belonged to her mother, hubby's Nanna, who we both adored. That in itself left me speechless and almost in tears. Then she told me the story behind the ring.
Her father had bought the stone home from the Middle East during WWII (she thinks it was in a brooch) when he returned from his tour of duty before heading off to New Guinea. Later they had it made into a ring. I don't know what the stone is, possibly a topaz or citrine and one day I will have it assessed so that I know. But even if it is just glass, it still will always have a special place in my heart.
I never got to meet my hubby's grandfather. He committed suicide when J was nearly 9 and my hubby was 4. They were together when they found him in the back shed. A bond that no two children should have to share.
I asked my father-in-law who was 18 years older then J, and knew more about what had happened post-war, about his Dad when I found out about how he died when doing some family research. It seems he never got over the war and what he saw and possibly did. He was a hairdresser who enlisted to help his country. He served in the Middle East and New Guinea - I can't imagine the horrors he must have seen, which obviously stayed with him. I believe he loved his wife and 3 children very much, but one day it all became too much for him to bear and so he chose to leave.
My ex-father-in-law, was also a WWII veteran, and I remember being told how all those years later when I first met him, he was still occasionally having nightmares about it all.
I don't know if it is any easier for men and women who choose to serve in the armed forces and train to do so, but it certainly does not seem that it was easy for those that were either conscripted or volunteered to help their country.
So when I look and wear this beautiful ring, my heart will be touched by sadness and by love.
Ted, Beryl and baby Eddie (my f-i-l) in 1932
What a great ANZAC day post. And what a gorgeous ring, enhanced by it's back story. Some of the best jewellery has great history behind it. Thanks for sharing xxx
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful ring and such a sad story :( .
ReplyDeleteI wear a ring on my middle finger on the right that belonged to my Pop who also served in the war and bought the ring while on duty. He never spoke about his time there and was apparently never the same since returning. My Mum once told me that he went overseas (I think in the airforce) at the end of the war and was on 'clean up' duty after the bombings of Hiroshima. What an horrific thing to have to be a part of :( .
Kakka, what a sad story. War is just a tragedy any way you approach it. I was looking through our hundreds of channels today to see if Gallipoli was showing, but it's not. ANZAC day doesn't get any attention in the US, which is sad because lives lost in any country deserve to be honored. Your ring is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ring and such a sentimental story. Perfect for Anzac day. x
ReplyDeleteHow very sad and what an awful thing for children to find. I hope that it didn't scare them too much.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to have something with a story though. What a nice way to remember people.
I am passing on the Supportive commenter award to you. You can collect it here: http://whiningattheworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/award-catch-up.html
Such a sad story, so nicely written. My grandparents had little bit and pieces my grandfather picked up in the middle east when he was serving,but they wouldn't talk about the war really.
ReplyDeleteElephants - none in my shop as they are sample for Melbourne. Hope to have some for the next Upmarket
Wow, what an amazing story, and an amazing piece of jewelry Kakka.
ReplyDeleteJust a gorgeous ring. I can certainly understand the tremendous sentimental value of it after reading this sad, sad story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it!
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! This is so perfect: the ring, but most importantly the story behind it! I love this post! xoxo
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