h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Disturbed ground brings a flush of poppies from the buried seed bank. Hence the millions of poppies on the fields in France after WWl. They're blood red, how can they be a reminder of anything else than the bloodshed of war? How can that be remembered with anything other than regret? Much ado on and in the media today by Talking Heads about the simple act of wearing a flower to remember the blood that war sheds.

William Allon Wilson, born 9/9/1887 in Townsville, he married a Sunday School teacher and was killed very soon after in France. His father died when he was around ten, making William the head of the family. He had no children, and left just his mother, sister, brother and his bride of a few months. Gran said Great Aunt Nellie never really got over losing her brother.

Given the date, I re-read the copy of a sort of journal my great-aunt wrote, she was 18 when the first world war started. She barely mentions it in her record of her life and there is no mention at all of the second world war. She says she loves writing but doesn't want anyone to see it, and mentions already destroying some pages. There are a couple of pages that don't fit into the sequence, and which cover some much more personal and difficult memories. I guess she meant those pages to be destroyed too. Maybe to contain bad personal experiences so they don't continue to influence anyone? She lived through so much change and world-changing times but what she clearly enjoys writing most is about all the places she got to see in the world, particularly Egypt.

In WWl she worked in the telephone exchange, passing telegrams all over the country. On night duty she and the other girls invited lots of soldier friends to a midnight supper, ate too much and fell asleep. When several ports found their communication lines down, investigations were made and she found herself rudely shaken awake and being shouted at. Trying to get up to apologise she found the log fire had melted her silk blouse and stuck her to the chair. It's not heroic, but it's very personal. I wish she'd written more. She does say that never happened again.

<> at least there'd be no critics

Seriously, what an interesting life. My mother was interviewed by the local rag yesterday at the local Cenotaph, after she laid a poppy wreath. Just getting some nuggets whetted their appetites and they've agreed an appointment this week when I can attend for a "special" - a full page on interesting local people - I have seen these before, and know a few of those featured, one was the founder of my local astronomy club, a very good friend. Mum was chuffed with all the attention and she'll be in her element when she's splashed over the local newspaper.

Sounds like she had a very eventful life, and maybe there were personal things she didn't want to record. My mother used to say never put anything in a letter that you wouldn't want the world to know!!

There are some people these days who could well do with that advice when using social networking sites!

Websailor