My New Blog is Eunice English 2015

Hi! Some of these stories and posts are a tad ancient now, but I have other blogs. The current one is at: https://euniceenglish2015.wordpress.com

Eunice C English

 

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What Goes Around Comes Around – after The Troubles

I have both Catholic and Protestant ancestors in both areas of Ireland, plus was born in England, and have no political axe to grind, so my true story will be deliberately vague on details to protect everyone concerned. You may contact David through this site.

The Troubles in Northern Ireland were a terrible time for all concerned. There had been terrible suppression by the historical British Government over the centuries, so the British Army was understandably disliked. Ignorance prevailed up to this time. At age 24 Dave was sent by the British army to protect people in Ireland from political terrorists among their own people. There is plenty of the history on Wikipedia.

David was just an  ordinary soldier doing his job, posted to Northern Ireland to protect the people from attacks by the IRA.

On this particular day there had been an explosion in the Shankhill Road area of Belfast, and Dave’s unit was turned out to patrol a road not so far from there.
They were walking along the road with their rifles at the ready, looking for who knows what, because they never knew where a bomb would be hidden, or a sniper, and they were trying to look after the ordinary people who just wanted to get on with their lives.

The British Army was not welcomed as saviours at all, but on this day, children were out playing in the road, as we all did before motor cars took over.

Women were at their doors, chatting to their neighbours, and despite an explosion having taken place they were just going about their business.

One housewife close to where two children were playing in the road asked the young soldiers if she could bring them out a cup of tea. Since this was a good way to form bonds with the people of Ireland the soldiers accepted and shouldered arms.

They stood about drinking the well-earned cup of tea until suddenly one of the soldiers heard the dreaded ‘snick’ of a rifle being cocked in the narrow street running off the road.

He shouted a warning to the people and to the platoon and they scattered, but bullets started firing at them and the soldiers hit the ground for protection, or dived behind hedges, preparing to fight back.

Two young children, a boy and a girl aged about seven stood frozen in the middle of the road, where seconds before they were playing ball. Their mother screamed and Dave scooped them up and ran for a gateway where he pushed them down and covered them with his body.

‘What are ye doing soldier?’ the boy asked. Dave explained he was keeping them safe till he

could get them in the house.
‘What is yer name, Soldier?’ the boy then asked in his Irish accent, in the unconcerned way kids in war zones can do.’Dave’ he said, while keeping his eyes on the road and surroundings.

Soon the skirmish was over, and Dave got up and saw the children safely in to their relieved Mum. Job done and they moved on and finished their patrol….

Twenty years passed. Dave was a family man now in civilian life. Like all war veterans his service life had taken its toll but he was ok. He had done his bit for his country as expected.

His wife, Rosslynd, was a bit wary when a letter arrived from the MOD (Ministry of Defence), but when it was opened Dave got the shock of his life.

The young man now grown up, who only knew him as ‘Dave’, had mentioned to his mother that he would like to meet the soldier who had saved his life, and whom he had never forgotten.

They sent a letter to the Ministry of Defence, which forwarded it through the channels until they came to the company who had patrolled that road in that area of Belfast on that day, and they found Dave listed.

Back through the channels went the paperwork, and finally Dave got to go to Belfast and meet the kids he had pinned down with his body while bullets zipped all around them.

Dave says it was a very emotional time, and he was very touched that in the course of doing his duty he had made a long-time friend, and perhaps helped a little in the peace process.

But it didn’t end there. Dave was invited to Buckingham Palace where he received a special badge for his bravery together with a certificate from Prince Charles. He is suitably proud of this nomination, but much more proud that he had become just ‘Dave’ to a young Irish boy in the space of a few moments.

He hadn’t looked for glory or reward, but his deed had come back to him in the form of much warmth and pride that will last him the rest of his life. What goes around, comes around.

Euni’s World 2014 is My Latest Blog

Hello! My current blog is called Euni’s World 2014. Lots of photos of the British countryside and the odd trip to the seaside! Plus more.please click here<

Conservation Week at Australian Reptile Park

Conservation Week at Australian Reptile Park

My Earlier Blogs

My Earlier Blogs

Guide Dogs Need Care Too

I support a Guide Dog Association puppy, along with others. ‘My’ special dog is Kara, a female black labrador. I get updates on her progress;,how her training is progressing. I worry about the waste of money these updates cause, when I would prefer to go online and look it up. But I daresay for young children, the regular photographs are tangible proof that their chosen puppy is doing well, and I am becoming a cynical old woman.

Being visually impaired, with early onset macular degeneration, I do joke that by the time Kara completes her two-year training, we will be ready for each other, but to be truthful the thought that Kara will be able to help some young blind person live a full life is much more satisfying.

click here for ifficial information on sponsoring a puppy.

It was brought home to me that guide dogs are a big responsibility, as well as a blessing, by the current owner of one such dog (if owner is the correct word). I knew not to pat this lovely golden labrador while he was in harness, therefore working, but I just had to speak to both. The dog looked older, and the man said he was about to be retired – the dog that is, and would be homed where he could rest and play without any further responsibilty.

This aspect of a guide dog’s life had never occurred to me before, but greatly pleased me, that after a life trained to care and devotion, the time comes when a guide dog gets repaid in love and care.

This dog was this man’s third guide dog, the man informed me. By now the man was middle-aged and used to being taken out and kept safe by these canine friends. He said he did have to keep up the training with his dog, for in the way of us all, the animal would just as soon forget the discipline, given half a chance. Each dog has its own personality, and this one seemed to be quite a strong personality. The man said they had regular visits from the Association, to make sure the dog was healthy and comfortable. I
found this very encouraging. No cruelty and neglect for these hard workers. No slavery.

In fact the man’s long involvement with the sicity meant he was involved in activities such as fund-raising and training. I could tell he was very proud of this involvement..
My attention was waning, because I was unsure of my train stop, but as we neared my station this lovely sturdy dog stayed relaxed by his master. He would know when to get back to work. For now he was enjoying the ride, and just secretly enjoying the attention.

What an honour it is, to know my small monthly donation goes to something so enriching and worthwhil.

Getting Auction Fever

Hooray, Ive won some flower beads on an eBay auction! 60p with free postage from China. I feel guilty about the low price, but I do buy other beads from this company.

I’m surprised how competitive I can become at auction; had to restrain myself from bidding again on a bird house that had gone to its full sale price, when the same model was elsewhere for £3.00!
Could be a disastrous way to spend time cooped up with a chest infection. I might end up with a scale model of the Titanic in the garden. Though I am still yearning for the solar-powered pottery water cascade I have seen at £46.00. Seems such a bargain……