Macklroy 2 Posted March 3, 2010 Greetings all. Earlier last week I made a discovery that I thought would be of interest within the ranks of this forum. Last week was helping my mothers father move from his long occupied residence to a smaller lakeside appartment in southern california. Durring the packing of many personal belongings (it's NO exageration being sons and daughters of the 'great depression' to say my granparents kept everything!) I came accross a very old journal. Turns out this journal was my great grandfathers journal and was dated September 1917 - March 1919. Needless to say I was more than extatic with my fourtune of finding it and spent most of my return trip to the north state reading through it. The old and tatered pages document his enlistment into the army. His travels accross the nation from west coast to east (quite a feat for a farmers son in 1917). His atlantic voyage to england, as well as his deployment to France. And his attempt although disapointed attempt, to join the ranks of the pilots that were stationed near his post. Although his regiment saw little action, reading his accounts of seeing an aircraft for the first time made my eyes water with wonder and pride. The accounts in which he notes on are a step back in time for me as Percy Strickland passed away when i was just a baby and I never really had the honor of being aquainted with the man. Even tucked away neatly in the pocket of the journal were two passes to visit the city of Nancy, an artical from his hometown newspaper which published an entire letter writen home to his mother and a small tattered american flag. I hope to share some of the more noteable passages with you all as I continue to read through my new discovery. S! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoomzoom 2 Posted March 3, 2010 Sounds cool. Very fortunate find. ZZ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted March 3, 2010 . Macklroy, you are a very fortunate individual indeed to have come across such a wonderful and personal connection to the past. I am happy for you Sir, and for the insight that reading your great grandfather's journal is going to give you into a bygone era and a man you never knew but share such a bond with. Please do post excerpts. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DWCAce 19 Posted March 3, 2010 Very nice find. Be sure to keep it safe, and keep it in the family! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) Wow! Would I have found something like that, I would have sat in the attic with glowing red ears, until the others would have found me! Keep it well, Macklroy! Edited March 3, 2010 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted March 4, 2010 Treasure it forever...History in your hands...and family too...never lose it..it's utterly irreplaceable!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cptroyce 0 Posted March 4, 2010 Mac- looking forward to reading some of the pages or passages, you choose to post. That is history first hand. I'd be interested in your great grandfather's thoughts on the trans-continental trip, as well as the Atlantic crossing. Those original military passes to Nancy must be worth something today. Royce Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duce Lewis 3 Posted March 5, 2010 Looking forward to future posts What a treasure Might be a good idea to scan it to pdf form while it's still ledgeable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ras 0 Posted March 5, 2010 (edited) What a wonderful find and experience. A similar situation happened with me. My grandfather was in the US Navy during WW1. He passed away when I was about 10 years and the memories are feint. A few years ago my aunt gave me his little notebook that he had carried with him. Throughout the pages there were poems, verses of songs, notes he had made about his visits to different ports and etc. He had even made accounts of money that he had loaned to shipmates and etc. I broke out into an almost uncontrollable spell of crying, that I couldn't explain at the time. However, I lost my father (his son) in a tragic accident about 10 years before that and I it brought a sorrowful and yet joyful link to my father that I had not known. In fact my avatar is of my grandfather that I speak of. This heritage thing is powerful beyond all imagination. You indeed have a treasure in your hand and heart, Macklroy Edited March 5, 2010 by Ras Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duce Lewis 3 Posted March 5, 2010 In fact my avatar is of my grandfather that I speak of. And a fine looking young man he was Ras Thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ras 0 Posted March 6, 2010 And a fine looking young man he was Ras Thanks for sharing You are welcome, Duce. Happy flying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted March 6, 2010 This is strange, Ras, as I had always felt, that this was not only just a picture of some unknown Navy man you just had found - I always felt, it was you, somehow. Now, even if I was not completely right, you are the grand son of this man. He looks a strong, handsome and fine person. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
