He had always been sickly, and when he was drafted in 1942 he came home from the physical and told my grandmother, 'Mama, Hitler must be winning the war. They just took me'. He served in Hq&Hq Sqdn 8th USAAF, stationed at High Wycombe, Bucks, England. He met my mother, Doreen Oxley, there and they were married in All Saints Church, Catherington, Hants on 7 July 1945.
All Saints Church
He was mustered out in December 1945 and it was April 1946 before Mum could join him in Marysville, KS. The family story is that he almost wore out the platform at the UP Depot in town, pacing up and down, waiting for his bride.
One of the few memories I have of him was when he got ready to go to hospital the last time. He knew he was dying, and he told me that he would not be coming home this time.
Happy Birthday and rest in peace, Dad. You are gone, but not forgotten!
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