Parents at War - David Bickerton

In his book PARENTS AT WAR David Bickerton tells the story of his parents’ wartime experiences through some 150 letters, written between 1942 and 1945 and full of passion. His father, Don is in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and is serving on HMS Dorsetshire during the sinking of the Bismark. Then, at the age of 25, hecommands an armed Motor Launch. His mother, Linda is in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and a radar operator including during the D-Day landings. 

The author discovers that, when his parents meet in 1942, they have an intense relationship and become engaged. However Don - who by his own admission has something of a ‘reputation’ - must first break off his betrothal to another much to his own mother’s disapproval. 

After just 14 weeks their relationship is interrupted as Don is sent to the hostile waters of the Mediterranean. There his ship is ‘first in’ during the invasion of Algeria. After the invasions of Sicily, Salerno and Anzio, he declares that his is the only ML involved in all four invasions. There follows the invasions of Elba and Southern France where the Maquis sign a ‘pact of friendship’ on his ship. 

After nearly three years he returns home and, ten days later, they enter a marriage that lasts a lifetime.

As well as examining the progress of the war, the author explores the social history of the forties based on topics discussed in the letters, detailing films seen in the cinema, books read and the swing music.

The book includes all the letter transcripts, Services documents, the author’s narrative, and numerous photos and illustrations.