Rinteln, Germany, 1956- 1958

She's now three children under five
Another daughter's just arrived.
Another baby on her knee
Born to her in Germany.
Rinteln now and Osnabruck
Next two places in our book.
The recent war we shouldn't mention
But in the air there's still some tension.
German prams a bit like baskets
Mean our English pram is laughed at.
She's had two daughters close together
There's times when she's at end of tether.
Wendy is the new child's name
And sad to say it's happened again.
Her third child has the eczema too
So yet more sleepless nights are due.
Then Andrew gets appendicitis
It never ends; the poor wee blighters!
Andrew's five and soon starts school there
He's quiet and shy; how will he fare there?
Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel;
Solid food that makes you feel full.
Margaret's putting on more weight.
Her clothes are tight which isn't great.
We will not dwell on what she ate
But gradually she'd put on weight.
A woman by her childhood scarred
Would comfort eat when things got hard.
Sunday walks in dark tree'd woods
She can't keep up; she knows she should.
Will is sometimes in the mess
Back then it's what men did I guess?
Or he'll be home and in his armchair
No one else would dare to sit there.
Radio's on; it's Forces Favourites
Suggest request but no one sends it.

While we're there a bit of drama
Concerns mum's mum my other grandma.
She comes out to pay a visit
There's a reason but what is it?

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Video explains the role of British forces in Germany and the huge number of British troops and families billeted there. Photo at top of the page is British Military Hospital, Rinteln where Dad worked and my sister Wendy was born.

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