Have read quite a few books on various wars either written by veterans or compilations of their memories. Whether these are from the Great War, WW2, Korea, Vietnam or Afghanistan they always impress me with tales of great courage, endurance, fear, horror, guilt and camaraderie. Such memories are, I think, important and the sacrifices of these young men and women should not be forgotten but unless you have been in such situations yourself it is surely impossible to really comprehend what they went through. That most veterans only speak of their experiences to other veterans is then understandable. In addition, war also of course creates situations that normal, peacetime, codes of behaviour cannot be applied to.

Fortunately, I am of an age when neither my own parents or grandparents saw active duty -though my paternal grandfather was a Special Constable in Birmingham and had to deal with some pretty horrible things after the bombings. Like everyone else in Britain, however, a great many members of my wider family served or died in various wars and I doubt there are many families in the country left untouched. I have been privileged to also have known veterans from the Great War and listening to them talk together was very moving but don't think they would have been so open if it were just myself there. My next door neighbour growing up was a smashing bloke but he had served in Burma and was clearly very affected by his experiences there and never wanted to talk of it.

As for medals, the vets I have known kept them in drawers and only wore them -if at all-if they attended a remembrance day gathering.