I've always thought the seasons taking place during and around WWI on Downton Abbey did a solid job of portraying both the symptoms and the stigma surrounding PTSD, or shell shock as it was called, during that time. I can't imagine what your grandfather went through.
What great commemorative and heartfelt post for your grandfather and the others who died in service, to end WWII, Lisa. Thanks for this. So sorry that your grandfather endured that--to see his friends blown up in front of him. PTSD could certainly have affected his contracting cancer, and dying so young. My thoughts are with you.
It doesn’t bear thinking about. And then they were sent home to just go about their business and be husbands and fathers. I can’t imagine how hard it was for everyone concerned.
It’s so unreal. I think that’s why they were coined, at least on this side of the pond, the greatest generation. They’d frown up during the depression, endured that, then went to war, and in those days, people just didn’t complain. They accepted what it was, right or wrong. I think in US then after Vietnam, people were ‘surprised’ or ‘shocked’ that warriors were messed up. War is hell. And the next generation admitted it.
Great post, Lisa. My OH has a substack where he shares monologues by people with dementia - many of them affected by various wars. The stories are gripping, harrowing, moving and sometimes funny.
I've always thought the seasons taking place during and around WWI on Downton Abbey did a solid job of portraying both the symptoms and the stigma surrounding PTSD, or shell shock as it was called, during that time. I can't imagine what your grandfather went through.
It’s unfathomable really.
Interesting observation about Downton Abbey. I thought those early series were great in how they depicted the war effort.
Thanks for sharing your grandpa Jack’s story, Lisa. What a hard life he had, and as you say, it has a knock on effect for the generations following.
The Lincoln exhibition sounds fascinating.
Thanks Wendy. It’s tragic, really. And yes, the exhibition sounds fascinating. If I was nearer, I’d visit.
What great commemorative and heartfelt post for your grandfather and the others who died in service, to end WWII, Lisa. Thanks for this. So sorry that your grandfather endured that--to see his friends blown up in front of him. PTSD could certainly have affected his contracting cancer, and dying so young. My thoughts are with you.
It doesn’t bear thinking about. And then they were sent home to just go about their business and be husbands and fathers. I can’t imagine how hard it was for everyone concerned.
It’s so unreal. I think that’s why they were coined, at least on this side of the pond, the greatest generation. They’d frown up during the depression, endured that, then went to war, and in those days, people just didn’t complain. They accepted what it was, right or wrong. I think in US then after Vietnam, people were ‘surprised’ or ‘shocked’ that warriors were messed up. War is hell. And the next generation admitted it.
It’s beggars belief. You’d hope that lessons would be learned but I’m not sure they have.
Great post, Lisa. My OH has a substack where he shares monologues by people with dementia - many of them affected by various wars. The stories are gripping, harrowing, moving and sometimes funny.
https://dclegg.substack.com/
That sounds fascinating. I’ll check it out. Thanks Steven.