Relevant Remembrance - 'Nothing is too hard for us'

I guess this is quite a serious post that has links to our journeys and links with two very humble Granddads. We are far away from England, but this trip has added a certain relevance to a history that I didn't previously really know that clearly. Grandad Clements and Grandad Astin both have incredible WW2 stories that in essence are private, but generally are quite spectacular in the moments, achievements and sadness that was hidden within both my Grandads, but was never shown to me as a child. 

Initially our trip took us across Normandy. Grandad Astin was very much a part of the D Day landing and Operation Overlord. He only knew he was going to France for the D Day mission by being sent to West Ham football ground, being cooped up there in a holding ground, being paid in French Francs and then he was off. We spent months planning our 'mission.' He was part of the transport division and some of his journeys put into perspective our little pootlings. His initial landings on the beaches were incredible, and it was amazing for us to trace those journeys and those moments on our travels. To have some connection to the same roads that he travelled on during our own travels has been quite special and has helped give it all much more meaning to Jasper and Maya.

Grandad Clements spent a lot of time during the war in Italy. This has given some relevance to our experiences with the country. We had a certain deflated atmosphere in the van around driving in the Apennines mountains, and the endless rain, cloud, hairpin turns, bumpy roads, climbs and descents that just went on and on, it made me recall one of Grandad Clements's diary entries. It puts everything into perspective a little about our little struggle in what amounted to being rain on a hill.

"Memorable move by RASC 3 ton trucks from Foggia to Campabasso, over the Apennines mountains in a blizzard. The nearest I have been to being frozen. Journey takes 12 hours and is only 80 miles. Truck runs into 3 ft snowdrifts and we have to dig it out." Ron Clements 1/1/44

In fact, his troop's motto was 'Nothing is too hard for us', a phrase by which he lived the rest of his life. We'll do well to remember that in our little moments of moderate private struggle.

Two brave men, whom I am very privileged to have been linked to. This trip has leant a certain reality to the understanding of our family. 

Ed