Residents at Tenchley Manor in Selsey have marked Remembrance by writing their own wartime memories on handmade paper poppies, sharing personal stories of fathers, uncles and childhoods shaped by two world wars.
As the nation falls silent to remember those who served and those who never came home, residents at Tenchley Manor nursing home in Selsey, West Sussex, have been reflecting on how the two world wars touched their own families.
Each resident was given a large red paper poppy and invited to write down a memory, a family story or a few words about what Remembrance means to them. The finished poppies tell stories that span more than a century, from fathers and uncles who fought in the trenches of the First World War to childhoods lived through the Second.
“I lived the Second World War as an only child”
Joyce, who will celebrate her 100th birthday next year, remembers growing up through the Second World War.
She wrote: “I lived the Second World War as an only child. I met my husband after the war ended. Next year I will turn 100 years old.”
A father lost on the eve of war
For Sue M, Remembrance carries a particularly poignant memory. Her father served as a soldier in the First World War but died the day before the Second World War broke out.
She wrote: “My dad was in World War 1 as a soldier, but he passed away the day before World War 2 broke out. I was only six years old when he passed.”
Sue’s father served in the First World War and died the day before the Second World War broke out.
A family who served in both wars
Jay was born in 1927 and will soon celebrate her 99th birthday. She was proud to share that her family served their country in both conflicts.
She wrote: “I was born in 1927 and I turn 99 soon. My family served in both wars.”
“My uncle never did”
Molly’s poppy is a reminder of the many families who welcomed some loved ones home while grieving others.
She wrote: “My uncle served in World War 1 and my father too, but my dad came home but my uncle never did.”
Molly’s father came home from the First World War, but her uncle never did.
From the trenches to bomb disposal
Ruth’s father served in both world wars. Having come home injured from the First World War, he went on to carry out some of the most dangerous work of the Second.
She wrote: “My dad was in the First World War and my uncles too. They all came back but they were injured. In the Second World War my dad worked in bomb disposal.”
Keeping their stories alive
Together, the poppies form a moving record of lives and families shaped by war, and a reminder of how close those events still are for the generation who lived through them.
Activities like this give residents the chance to share stories that matter deeply to them, and give staff, families and visitors the chance to listen.
The team at Tenchley Manor would like to thank Joyce, Sue, Jay, Molly and Ruth for sharing their memories so openly.
We will remember them.
This story was also published in the Chichester Observer Selsey care home residents share family memories of two world wars on handmade poppies
Marketing Executive
Residents at Kingsmead Nursing Home in Swindon have helped create a giant jigsaw as part of a project bringing together more than 20 local care...
Residents and staff at Uvedale Hall care home in Needham Market dressed up for a 1920s birthday party There’s no better excuse for a...
Residents at Bedhampton Court have raised £257 for the Hayling Donkey Sanctuary following a successful summer fete at the Havant care home. Bedhampton...
Residents at Handford House in Ipswich have received specialist footwear from local company Enertor. The company has a high-profile connection to Olympic champion Usain...