I remember my Gran (Phyllis Grace Geake, nee Weaver) once telling me what happened the day my Grandpa (William Hellyer Geake) arrived home from the second world war, having been away for four years.
It was fairly early in the morning when Grandpa got home and his arrival coincided with that of the postman (or it might have been the milkman but I think it was the former). The postman knew Grandpa and proceeded to ask him all about his time away in the war and stood at the doorstep chatting for 5 or 10 minutes. How insensitive! All the while, Gran was waiting to greet the husband she hadn’t seen for such a long time. In addition to this, Grandpa had never even met his 4 year old daughter, who was more than a little coy at the sight of this strange man in their house! Gran said the postman ruined their reunion.
My Grandpa’s WWII Service Record (click to enlarge)
