Ever read a book or article on history? Histories are fascinating.
As individuals, we often overlook our own history. We see history as about important people, not people like us. So, when we pass on, our history often passes with us. For families, this can leave much unknown, particularly the reasons behind decisions and life choices that were made.
I was not much of a student of history in my youth, and even less knowledgeable about my parents and grandparents’ histories. I twigged to the loss of my history when my mother died. It was suddenly too late to ask about her history to find out about decisions she had made and events in which she had been involved.
I then asked my father to write his and mum’s history to help me have a picture of who they were before I had my own memories.
I knew my father had an interesting history. I had “Gran’s diary”, in which his mother kept a daily record of their travel from Melbourne to Adelaide during the depression. And I knew my father had gone to war, was captured in Singapore and spent several years in Changi and on the Burma Railway.
I had newspaper clippings of his return, which made the papers of the day. He would not, or could not, talk about that part of his life. I kept pushing and eventually bought a book and pen to get him to write. When he suddenly died some years later, I found the book – and it contained two paragraphs.
At his funeral, several men came up to my brother and me to talk with us about him and his exploits in the war years. One was in the process of having his written record of the period published as The Secret Diary and, on reading it, we found some tales of our father that created all manner of interest. We were able to talk to others – who provided more information – realizing that their knowledge might also soon pass.
When I deal with the deaths of retired or serving members, HR provides, among other things, deceased members’ employment histories. It is so often a discussion point for the families. What memories or revelations such a simple document can provide.
Two of the most moving songs I listen to are The Living Years (Mike and the Mechanics) and Little Scraps of Paper (Eric Bogle). Both are about the missed opportunities to get to know one’s parents (in these songs the father).
I suffer from inertia when it comes to writing my own history. My kids know little of my life because there is usually no need to talk about it. I see myself as nothing out of the ordinary but, of course, no one else is like me (for better or worse). My memories are different from my brother’s. He saw the same events through different eyes.
It is difficult for my kids to see me as fighting crime and/or evil as a slim, fit copper. Even more difficult for them is to see me as someone who once could jump medium-sized buildings as a STARie. I feel awkward talking with them about the past, and only when a specific topic arises do I go back to my past.
My school history is a point of amusement to them because, from time to time, I express what schools were like in my day.
I can recall the waries told to us as eager cadets by Sgt Ernie Kirk. He entertained us with his tales of the past during typing lessons. I don’t harbour the same interest in my own police history.
The Police Journal has been an important place to publish some police histories over many years. But I don’t think we get enough from you, the reader – serving or retired – about your experiences. How many books might be written of the adventures of police officers over the generations?
Please consider your own history. Please consider recording it for your family. It is not easy to get started, but it will be worth it. What a great gift to leave.
