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Distant Heroes, un mistero della seconda guerra mondiale

Nei giorni conclusivi della seconda guerra mondiale, una missione di aiuto ai partigiani in Piemonte si tramutò in tragedia, con la morte di 48 soldati del Commonwealth. Tra di loro, due australiani: cosa successe rimase un mistero per oltre 50 anni.

Lockton family

Source: courtesy of Kathy Hind

La lettera che Bob Millar, il padre di Anne Storm, inviò alla figlia dall’Italia per il primo compleanno.

My Dear Daughter,

This is the first time I have written to you and although you are as yet too young to read it perhaps mother will save it up until the time comes when you can read it yourself. In 2 days time it will be your first birthday anniversary - a great event for your parents. My regret is that I cannot personally be there to help you blow out your single candle but believe me lassie I will be there in spirit.

I am writing this from a place called Italy which is far away from our fair land - a place where I would not be by choice so far away separated from a wife and daughter so dear to me. But I am here, precious one, because there is a war on caused by certain people who wished to rule the world harshly and despotically, imperilling an intangible thing called democracy which your mother and I thought all decent people should fight for. You will understand as you grow up what democracy means for us and how it is an ideal way of life which we aspire to put into practice.

All I ask of you, Anne dear is that you stay as sweet as your mother and cling tight to the subtle thing we call Christianity, which has been the core of her way of life and her mother's and mine. I hope that you will love and respect me as I love and respect my father.

That's all young lady. Have a happy birthday - may they all be happy birthdays. I hope to be home again one fine day. In the meantime lots of love to you and to mother.

From Dad

Bob Millar


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Carlo Oreglia



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