"THERE'LL BE BLUE BIRDS......."
My Grandfather's name was Anthony Joseph Blumenthal and was a member of the 24th Battalion. When World War II began he was sent over to the Middle East along with many English and Kiwi men. They were all fighting for the same cause.
One time when he was in a town not far from Cairo Grandad had a feeling that the Nazis were coming. Grandad was a Sergeant and he told his Lieutenant of his suspicions. His Lt. did not share his feelings so Grandad gathered anyone who would join him and around twenty men left the town. The Lieutenant and his men were never heard from again. Of the twenty men who went with my Grandad about half were Kiwis and the rest were Englishmen.
Later on, around thirty-five years later, there was a 24th Battalion reunion. Grandad caught up with the Lieutenant and some of his men. Apparently two days after Grandad left the town near Cairo the Lieutenant and his men were caught by the Nazis and taken as prisoners of war.
Grandad died in 1981, due to a heart attack, but before he died he received a Gold Star and a medal for his services.
By Rachael Smith Heretaunga College Wellington
Memories from the second world war
