This is the lamp post that marks the bus stop where I catch the bus to work in the morning. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of my Grandad, Leslie Clarke.
The initials stand for General Electric Company, now GEC Alstom. GEC had a large site in Stafford, and my Grandad worked for them for many years as a driver of large vehicles.
As far as I know, he was also a driver when he was drafted into the war, but apart from that, I don’t know anything about his involvement. He never spoke about it, and specifically asked me not to wear a poppy, as he didn’t want to be forcibly reminded about the war by people who had never been there. He does have medals, and we know he was in Africa, but that’s about it.
Mostly, when I think of my Grandad, I think of glass bottles of lemonade on the cellar steps, running down his very long garden, and bonfires and fireworks on the edge of the orchard. I miss him very sharply at this time of year, and I wish I could have shown my new garden to him. I think he would have liked it.
Hi Claire
If you would like, I can look for your grandfathers details on family history sites.
Anne