Gertrud at seventeen years was a year shy of ending compulsory membership to Hitler’s female Youth League, the Bund Deutscher Mädel. Soon she would be free of the repetitive marching practice and the stupid domestic classes that aimed to turn her into a diligent Aryan wife and mother. Neither matched her self-image of adventurer andContinue reading “Fran Collins: Gertrud”
Category Archives: Warfare
Fran Collins: Flashback
Bendt had joined the local chapter of the underground in Köln shortly after Manuel. The lengthy briefing done for the night, the anti-fascist resistance team cajoled Bendt into playing music before their circuitous journeys home. Bendt’s fingers struck the keys of his accordion with a flourish. So deeply immersed was he in music-making he closedContinue reading “Fran Collins: Flashback”
Nell Holland: Iolaire-The Gaelic Eagle
The most venerated date for all Scots is Hogmanay, the last day of December. It’s the night to feast the old year out and welcome in the new one, and in no place is it more celebrated than the Outer Hebrides. By the end of the Great War, the Isle of Lewis had lost overContinue reading “Nell Holland: Iolaire-The Gaelic Eagle”
Fran Collins: Lost In Translation
‘I promise you it won’t be difficult or dangerous, really Fran.’ A simple request of deep friendship from my friend, Sinead. Belfast, 1973, a city besieged, with search checkpoints located strategically at turnstiles at the entrances to the CBD. Skeletal remains of buildings partially blown away, walls plastered with graffiti, evidence of a city atContinue reading “Fran Collins: Lost In Translation”
Nell Holland: Calladine
The Calladine brothers volunteered to fight in World War 2. Albert and Sid were killed, and George returned without legs. Tommy was ‘lucky’ with no obvious wounds, though his mind was gnawed with distress; folk called it shell shock. In 1940 Tommy had been a self-assured eighteen-year-old, charming old ladies attracting girls and breaking hearts.Continue reading “Nell Holland: Calladine”
Burnside Writers Group 