My other wonderful nan

Since I posted on my mother's mum, I think it only fair to share a story of my father's mum, who is also an amazingly beautiful woman, 89 years young.  I think their longevity bodes well for the female members of the family.  We sometimes forget what women of their generation went through with the war, and without any benefits to help them out economically, how difficult it was to raise a family.

My nan had a tough childhood.  By thirteen she had lost both her parents, her father, who broke his back, and her mother who died of cancer.  Her very old grandmother decided to take in the four orphans, in spite of the fact that many people told her not to.  Her grandmother ensured the siblings were not separated, because in those days, no one was interested in taking girls in.  Many people offered to adopt and help out, but only where the two boys were concerned.  They all lived (the five of them) in a one bedroom cottage in Top End, Pytchley.

My nan has many wonderful tales which she relates to us when we go and visit.  Like the time that she placed a wind up toy in her sister's hair, that wound round and round until it became tangled to the root and had to be cut free with scissors.  Or the fact that she could only play just outside the window where her grandmother could see her.  A few years later the war would change their lives forever, it disrupted their innocence and forced them to grow up quicker than they should have.

Three of the siblings helped with the war effort.  My great uncle fought in the army, my nan and her sister joined the Women's Royal Air Force on the barrage baloons.  My nan worked in London and Southampton, raising the baloons in an attempt to protect our country from enemy planes.  In a twist of fate, one day some tanks drove past where my nan was working.  It was my great uncle's regiment, and she saw him for the first time in a while, waving at her before he went to war.  That summer my great uncle's tank was blown up in Caen, France.  He died so young, aged 22.  Such a bittersweet memory, to have been able to see her brother's face for the last time.

Shortly thereafter my nan's grandmother passed away.  It was the end of an era, and still a young lady herself at 20 years old, she had lost her parents, her brother and her dear grandmother.  I think this tough life drew her even closer to her remaining brother and sister.  Unfortunately I am sure it is a similar story to many of their generation.  I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to live life as her during her early years, but  it certainly has made her the beautiful lady she is today.  She is a kind and very strong woman.  Both my nan's have taught me to be proud of my roots and have shaped the person  I am. With strong morals, loving, family oriented, and selfless, they are everything I aspire to be.