Parents at War

Reading team of the Berkshire Family History Society will be meeting on Thursday 24th September at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 280 The Meadway, Tilehurst. Doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.45pm start. The presentation that night will be by David Bickerton and entitled 'Parents at War'.

This presentation started when David was drawn on a journey of discovery after finding nearly 150 letters that his parents had exchanged between 1942 and 1945 before they were married. With the help of the letters and extensive research he has been able to piece together a detailed picture of their wartime experiences through his book, Parents at War. David discovered how his father was in the crew of HMS Dorsetshire when she took part in the pursuit and sinking of the Bismarck. His mother was a radar operator in the WAAF and served at 5 RAF radar stations and found herself tracking enemy aircraft on their bombing missions. The young lovers met by chance in a Haverfordwest hotel in 1942 and had only a short relationship before my father was sent to the hostile waters of the Mediterranean where he commanded a minesweeper and was involved in 6 invasions.

There is ample free parking and good company with lively discussion and help for those who are stuck with their research. All are welcome, non-members £5 per person. 

Booking Information: Advance booking, for members and non-members is appreciated but not required. Non-members have the option to register and pay online in advance. If you prefer to pay on arrival, please note that we can only accept cash payments at the venue.