The Sincerest For Of Poetry
Apprenticed To My Mother
Walking Into Trouble
Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle
The Last Will Of Sven Andersen
Booms And Busts
Buster & Moo
Salisbury Square
My Father and Other Liars
Life In A Conversation
Life, in a Grain of Sand
Life In A Flash
Category Archives: dad’s letters
My Father: Reluctant Soldier #lettersfrompalestine #1946
In January 1946, having just turned 19, my father was dispatched to Palestine as part of the peace keeping force mandated by the League of Nations and soon to be remandated by the newly formed United Nations to try and … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, memories, miscellany, Palestine, paratrooper
Tagged 1946, dad's letters, Palestine, Paratrooper
24 Comments
Dad’s letters from Palestine February, March and April 1947
It has been a while since I posted a set of my father’s letters from Palestine. The latest set can be found here. I have been watching the turmoil in the Middle East just now. The awful acts of horror … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, memoires, miscellany, Palestine, paratrooper
Tagged Dad's letters, Dov Gruner, Harry Truman, Iron Curtain, ISIL, Israeil, Mandate, Palestine, WW2
2 Comments
Dad’s letters from Palestine – November, December 1946 and January 1947
It’s been a few weeks since I posted the last selection of my father’s letters from Palestine. Here are the latest set. Since then some sort of peace has broken out in Gaza between Hamas and Israel and the more vituperative … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, Palestine, paratrooper, politics
Tagged Arabs, balfour declaration, British Mandate, Jews, Palestine
6 Comments
Dad’s letters to Palestine- July and August 1946
We are back in Palestine as the summer heat builds to a crescendo. I’ve posted some more letters and the poem I copied last time. However here we also have Dad’s explanation for writing it. Since starting on these posts … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, miscellany, Palestine, paratrooper, politics
Tagged Atlee, British Mandate, Chaim Weizmann, Churchill, Haganah, Harry Truman, Irgun Zwei Lumi, Lehi, Palestine
12 Comments
Dad’s letters from Palestine May/June 1946
I’ve pasted another set of letters, as Dad settles into guard duty and the inevitable ennui and excitement of his time in the Middle East. It’s getting hotter in every sense. To begin it is a snake hunt that engrosses … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, miscellany, paratrooper, poems, poetry, politics
Tagged balfour declaration, Haganah, Israel, McMahon letter, Nathanya, Palestine
8 Comments
Becoming a Paratrooper, 1945 style
In my rummaging around for more information on Dad’s (Private Desmond Le Pard) time in the forces towards the end of the Second World War, I have found these photos which have Dad’s own explanations written on the back. I … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, paratrooper
Tagged 1945, Paratrooper, Ringway Manchester, training, World War Two
7 Comments
Dad’s letters from Palestine – April to May 1946
14908385 Pte Desmond Le Pard of A Coy, 17th Battalion Parachute Regiment, M.E.F. is now in Palestine. He’s never been abroad before and, at not quite 20, is wide eyed and restless. His training has prepared him for an assault, first … Continue reading
Posted in dad's letters, miscellany
Tagged British Protectorate 1946-7, Dad's letters, Hagannah, King David Hotel, Palestine, Paratroops, Stern Gang
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Dad’s Letters – January to March 1946
So this is it; Dad goes overseas. In this last in the series of the letters before he reaches Palestine, he goes training in Wales; is scathing about Brecon; tells us the winter of 45/46 was foul and wet; describes what … Continue reading
Dad’s Letters – September to December 1945
Here are the latest of Dad’s letters, covering the period to the end of 1945. A new government was in power, gradually civilian life was trying to return to normal. And Dad was being moved around the country as he … Continue reading
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