33 years later … a British sailor returns !

Some of you have asked if my family kept up with any of the British sailors that we entertained during WWII and the answer is a resounding “YES”.

As a matter of fact the actual idea for a huge celebration of my mother’s 80th birthday was sparked by a letter from one of the boys, Bert Entwistle. He wrote that he and his wife Dora would love to use that as an excuse to come visit.

Some of you may recall that I posted back in October of 2010 about Bert. He was the father of John Entwistle of the “Who”. He was still married to John’s mother Queenie when we first met him and John was just an infant. After the war the marriage fell apart but Bert remained close to John.

Having Bert and Dora, his 2nd wife of many years, at the celebration was such a treat for us all. He was the only British sailor to actually come back to the U.S. but we had cards from at least 10 others.

The year was 1976, the month June, and we rented a lovely compound called “Chatham Crest” on Cape Cod for two days and a night of festivities. As I look back I think it was the only time that our large family was ever together at one time. There were 29 of us in all, which included our honorary family members, Bert and Dora from England.

It was an event to remember...my Mother’s 80th birthday. I can’t believe that, as I write this, I am just six months away from that same age !!