Jim (L) and Gladys (R) digging a shelter
Family legend has it that in early June, 1941, my grandmother Gladys was washing up in her mother’s kitchen when she heard the sound of the garden gate opening and closing.
Then, to her great surprise, she saw her younger brother Jim striding past the window, kit bag over his shoulder. She ran out to greet him, but he was nowhere to be found. Not long afterwards, his parents received a telegram with the news that all families dreaded (and my grandmother already knew): Arthur (Jim) Upton was dead at the age of 23.
Catherine Osborn 