Dear Great Grandpa John,

Today it is 79 years since your awful death. Although I know that you were my mum’s granddad and you died in World War 1, I don’t really know all that much about you or how you died. So I asked mum and she told me about your heroic acts and the whole World War experience.

She told me about how you had volunteered at the age of 16 to represent our country in the war and how you died saving your general who later lived to tell the story.

Although I never met you, I am extremely proud of you and it breaks my heart to know that they never found your body, and you were never buried in the traditional way, Great Grandma and Nan would have wanted.

We have a memorial stone, in the St. Andrews grave yard, which is right next to where grandma and Nan are also buried. I always go there when I am confused about something or need to just be alone. I find it peaceful and comforting to know that you are all listening.

I often think about the war and how hard it must’ve been for everyone in all aspects of life, to still carry on like nothing has happened. I find it difficult to even imagine how it must’ve felt, having your whole life torn apart by a useless war. Nan used to tell me about how you would always find the good aspects of life, and block out the negative and I think that’s why you inspire me so much. If I was in your position, I would have run away with the family but instead, you faked your age to help all those in Britain and still remained brave throughout the whole war and even though you knew it was the end, you held your head high and saved another. Men like you are the reason we have freedom today.

Although you were one of 800,000 men that lost their lives, you will never be forgotten in our family. I will be telling your story for years to come.

Your great granddaughter

Lilly x x

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