Gordon Fennell was one of the lucky ones, surviving the war after serving throughout.
His luck extended to a particular pair of dress shoes, displayed here in the exhibit, and kept for years after the war. They were kept in his tank where they probably saved his life.
Officers were, by and large, sharing the risks with the men they commanded in each branch of the services. Such was the case with John Mahony, who would be decorated by a king and end up a lieutenant-colonel.
This is his medal set.
Among those medals, the Victoria Cross, for his actions over five hours on May 24, 1944.
And here's him getting it, from King George VI.
As was the case elsewhere, generations of Canadians served. Fathers who had served in the First World War saw sons do the same in the Second World War.
Included below are the medal sets of father and son: Harry Campbell, who served in the South African and First World Wars and died in the second of those conflicts, and those of his son Alex Campbell, mentioned yesterday, who was driven by the death of his father.
Letters by Alex to his mother are included here.
Gordon Fennell sure was a good looking lucky guy! Reminds me of some actor.
ReplyDeleteA lot of medals. But who knows if Mahony led a happy life, he must´ve seen awful things.
You always need some luck...
ReplyDeleteGreat exhibit, sharing these brave men. I wish more soldiers were lucky to come home.
ReplyDeleteTake care, enjoy your day and the weekend!
Without luck, no one prospers, not even true heroes.
ReplyDeleteDress shoes in a tank! He was ready for every occasion, it would seem. :-)
ReplyDelete@Iris: I imagine they all did.
ReplyDelete@Italiafinlandia: especially in war.
@Eileen: thank you.
@Jan: that is true.
@Revrunner: indeed.
...he was one of the lucky ones.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone was as lucky as Gordon Fennell. Many precious lives were sacrificed in the wars.
ReplyDeleteA well loved hero!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the uplifting post about those who survived the war. And I like seeing all the medals. :-)
ReplyDeleteI wish wars could be avoided.
ReplyDelete@Tom: very much so.
ReplyDelete@Nancy: many suffered.
@Magiceye: definitely.
@DJan: you're welcome.
@Catarina: if only.
Gordon was a handsome fellow.
ReplyDeleteLuck plays a big role in a war.
ReplyDeleteLucky shoes ~ intriguing ~ Great exhibit and photos ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Shoes that saved his life! Wonderful touch of real life in the museum.
ReplyDeleteBuena fortuna tuvo al salvarse en tan terrible contienda...nunca olvidará esos zapatos que le trajo la suerte.
ReplyDeleteFeliz fin de semana.
@Sharon: that appears to be the consensus.
ReplyDelete@Bill: it does.
@Carol: thanks!
@RedPat: it is.
@Ventana: thank you.
If those shoes could speak. Sobering these tales of war.
ReplyDeleteQuite true.
DeleteCrazy that a pair of shoes would save someone's life but I wasn't there so sounds like he was very fortunate
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
DeleteThis entire series about veterans has been very powerful. William. Pardon me for not commenting what each one. It's very good of you to give these people the light they deserve, and to remind us of the courage we must find to serve one another. Wishing you all the best my friend
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete