Parents' memories of the war

Kathleen's story: Reginald was born in Southampton. He joined the army as a young man and was called up before the war. He was in the artillery and became an instructor for anti-aircraft guns. He was stationed in Exeter. Reginald thought he would stay with his friend Jack when he joined the army but he did not. He had a big social life, through which he met Ursula. There were bombings in Exeter, so they got married in Birkenhead. Reginald was stationed on Isle of Man. He did not speak much about it afterward. He had 'a good war' as he was not in the front. So, he did not see himself as a veteran. Boxing and football were important parts of his life in the army. He made some good friends. He was humble and not an outgoing person. The war was important to their journey because Reginald and Ursula would not have met otherwise.

John's story: John Sidney Cassell was in the army all over West France, Holland, and Germany. He was in Berlin in the end. He did not want to talk about it. It was a long war. So, he met many people and made many friends- most of whom died. But he never forgot. He said it was horrendous and hoped our generation would never experience war. He won many medals. He wanted to go to Berlin before his death to see it rebuilt. The contributor's mother, Betty Alice, was building missiles in Southampton.