I got all sentimental and googled my Grandfather 'Rowland Ransom Savage', wonderful name kinda sounds like a movie star, well in my eyes my grandpa was, tee hee. Anyways I discovered that the Australian Government has issued a Certificate of Commendation for service to WW2 return servicemen and women, so have ordered a copy for our family history book that mum has in her possession, thats all great etc....
BUT...as I scrolled down all the other google entries associated with my grandfather I discovered a site called Rootschat.com and there was an entry made 2 years ago by a forum member about the 'SS Wilcannia' a ship that took unassisted immigrants from the UK to Melbourne in 1911.
His post talked about how he had in his possession a family bible with the inscription of Arthur and Maud Savage as being the owners of the bible. Arthur and Maud are my Great Grandparents!!! I was blown away, because as I read the following posts in this thread, the moderator had found information on my Grandfather in the National Archives, including his birth, marriage to my Grandmother 'Thomasina Webb', his service records in WW2 and the deaths of Arthur and Maud (Mum Mum) in the early 50's and 60's respectively. Just so interesting!
As you can imagine I was so excited to be reading all this and the prospect of connecting with a relative in the UK quite possibly my 2nd or 3rd cousin is really mind blowing! I've PM'd the forum member in the hope that we do connect, now its just a waiting game!
I would love to post you a photo of Maud and Arthur but unfortunately mum has them and given she is so far away I can't just scoot over and borrow them, but here is a couple of photos of my Grandpa on the beach in Alexandria after the first battle against the axis in 'El Alamein' and his return to unit before setting off for the second battle that ended Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, and taking control of the Suez Canal and gaining access to the Middle Eastern oil fields.
Taken on Beach on my return to unit Sept.1942
Charles, Self, Jack Worlock
Peter Howard
Here's a photo of Grandma and Grandpa having a romantic day at the 'Cotter' Canberra not long after his return home.
and this one is of the family at the beach with friends with my mum as a toddler, who is sitting on my Grandpa's lap with Grandma tickling her neck.
I can feel some LO's coming on using these gorgeous photos! TFL