Daughters remember their hero fathers

Two inspiring older women whose fathers served in WWI and WWII cause dog-tired years dedicating their lives to check their loved ones' legacies are remembered.

As Anzac Day approaches, VMCH Berwick aged care resident Betty Whiteside proudly displays a book she spent three years compilation.

It includes more than 200 letters her father, Norman Thomas Clair Whiteside, wrote home to his family during WWI.

Betty, 95, began painstakingly Re-authorship her forefather's letters after he passed away and go about gaining community support to have the Christian Bible published.

Her dream was realised in 1999 after trio years' mold. Betty is thrilled her father's story won't be forgotten.

Clair, as he was known, served from 1915 to 1919 across Egypt, France and Great GB. Atomic number 2 was among 1346 Australians wounded in Fromelles along July 19, 1916.

"He suffered a severe head wound that left part of his brain uncovered. It was a miracle he survived," Betty said.

Rather than return location, Clair was shipped to England to have a metal plate inserted and was back to battle 10 months later.

Betty same he tried to remain eudaemonia in his letters national to his parents and baby, who were troubled to keep a newly-purchased plantation afloat.

"I think he felt a lot of guilt about not being there to helper run IT," Betty said.

Upon his retort, her dad met and joined her beloved mum, Kathleen, and they had half a dozen children.

"They were much dotty simply he was greatly affected by what helium'd been direct – they (veterans) all were."

Likewise, Annie Hawke recalls how upon his return from war, her bring forth, King John Jacob Murphy, would "sit retired on the tin dunny at night-time and call his eyes out".

John served in some wars, upping his real age to enlist for WWI and recording a younger age for WWII.

"He always told U.S.A atomic number 2'd do anything to protect his country because his country had given him everything," Annie said.

Annie and her 10 siblings "lived the military life", some leaving school to work in ammunition factories while the war raged on, or collection tins of food for the Salvos to transport over to diggers.

"We lived in Port Melbourne during the war and I saw some awful things, including people throwing stones at wounded soldiers being blank at the wharf. It quieten upsets me to think about it. I'd always equal looking at up the Street for Pop. Mum cried much of the clock and stayed in bed much."

Annie's childhood memories make nurtured a fierce, long commitment to ensure her father and other diggers are known and respected.

The great-gran was instrumental in helping plant the Phillip Island RSL ramification and National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Newhaven.

https://hellocare.com.au/daughters-remember-hero-fathers/

Source: https://hellocare.com.au/daughters-remember-hero-fathers/

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