Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

I had an interesting mail from another Susan whose grandmother married an Englishman from Sandhurst.

Sandhurst is our most famous military college, as I have good reason to know, my beloved stepfather having attended Sandhurst and winning The Sword, which is the highest honour the college can bestow. Sprog minor now has that sword as a memento.

My stepfather joined the Coldstream Guards, and I still have the photograph taken after his 'passing-out' parade at Sandhurst. There is something so noble and steady in his gaze, and in the gaze of all his comrades, and it is so terrible to think that so many of them didn't make it through the Second World War.

Although he survived with 'only' severe damage to his lungs, my stepfather suffered some terrible mental scars that refused to fade with time, and he always refused to discuss what had caused these- unlike today, where we see so little, and yet we are so ready to complain about the smallest thing.

If your grandfather went to Sandhurst Susan, you should be very proud of him.

Love to all, and happy reading!

Susan