AND NOW, A DRUMROLL FOR THE WAR BABIES!
Hello there…
Hello…
We are here.
Not recognised, but an integral part of the community. Married, parents and grandparents, we have the life experience that is needed in a stable and supportive society. We’re aged between 66 and 73.
From the World War II collection, National Library of Australia.
Our youth was not affluent but we were able to survive in a world where family life ensured members loved and respected each other. Certainly there was discipline but this enabled us to understand and respect those around us in the community and teach us behavioural standards expected in the society in which we lived. We have no lasting psychological repercussions from that strict, but loving parenting.
Our life was busy with outside activities where we were able to use our imagination to create fun with our neighbours. In the evening we listened to the radio – the news, serials, interviews and especially the cricket when the ashes were being played in England! On Sunday night we would all lie on the lounge room floor and listen to the ABC which broadcast a play at 8 o’clock.
Special events were marked with roast chicken and ice cream. Luxury items!
Our grandmothers had blue hair and were very special members of our family. They gave us love, cooked great baked dinners and always had time to spend with their grandchildren. Outings were always fun, but run on a shoe string.
We were conceived in an era where there was little money, amazing vibrance and fear for loved ones. Our fathers were only on leave from soldiering for a short period and in that time they craved normalcy with their families. Many did not return.
YES, WE ARE THE WAR BABIES! Never recognised and usually thrown in with the Baby Boomers.
No, we are NOT in Nursing Homes! We are vibrant and involved in the community using our life skills to reach those troubled by today’s culture. We recognise the need to support our children and grandchildren teaching them old-fashioned ideals, skills for self-esteem and always available when needed.
Even though there is no recognition for War Babies we are currently stalwarts in this community and somewhat disappointed that we have been overlooked for some time.
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*Jane Glover was brought up in Sydney. She trained at the Royal Alexandra Hospital For Children then moved to Melbourne to practice midwifery. She met her husband, Bruce, lived overseas for two years then came back to Australia and got married and had three children. In 1980, Jane and Bruce moved to Coffs harbour 1980. Jane started a local Palliative Care Service in 1984 and in 2001 was awarded an OAM for Palliative Care and Surf Life Saving. Jane retired in 2002 and enjoys time travelling with her husband.
3 Responses to this article
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Sarah Boggs September 1, 2011
I was born just prior to the word war 11 but the same values were applied to us we were born at the end of the depression money was very short our father died when I was 5 so Mumma had to work to hold us all together. Thank you for another fine article.
