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A 92-year-old man has been reunited with his dad’s World War One artefacts after Sidcup Library, the place they were being displayed, could no longer store them.
Leonard Sheppard, of Eaton Road in Sidcup, was returned the photos and medals of his dad, Charles George Sheppard, who fought in World War One.
Due to Sidcup Library closing and relocating, staff members informed Leonard that there may not be any room for the artefacts at the new location, so Leonard was given back the historical treasures.
During the war, Charles earned three medals – Pip, Squeak and Wilfred – which were the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Leonard told the News Shopper: “My father, Charles, was a soldier in the Berkshire regiment during World War one.
“People are often surprised when I tell them my dad fought in the first world war.
“He was too old to fight during the second world war, so he won a fourth medal by working as a home guard.”
Leonard, who will turn 93 in June, has 10 siblings, and his eldest brother was born in 1918.
Leonard says three of his brothers fought during World War Two – two of which were in the navy, and one was in the army.
Leonard explained that he wanted to join the army during World War Two and asked his mum to sign a form to give permission for him to fight – despite being just 15-years-old.
“Mum wasn’t too happy,” Leonard said, as his mum had refused to sign the form due to him being so young.
Leonard explained: “When I was of age to join the military, I joined the Royal Air Force and my dad walked me to the station and asked me to let him know what rifle and bayonet I would be given.
“When I returned home, I told him it was a 303 Lee-Endfield rifle, and he said it was exactly the same one he used during the first world war.
“My dad didn’t talk much about the war, but I did see his wounds when he came home.
“He found it very hard.”
Leonard says he had a great relationship with his dad whilst growing up, and the entire Sheppard family enjoyed large gatherings with sing-a-longs.
Leonard explained: “Going back to 1951, just after my wife and I got married, I managed to buy a tape recorder to film the family gatherings.
“My mum loved us all getting together once a month – she didn’t insist, but we all would go and sing songs whilst drinking cups of tea.
“Although my dad was shy, he sang the first song on the tape recorder, followed by my mum and then the rest of the family.
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Leonard told the News Shopper that the Sheppard family were poverty-stricken, and Leonard and his siblings had to take part in hop-picking once a year for six weeks to earn money and help pay for the house.
Leonard added: “We were in the thick of battle of Britain and had to take shelter because bullets were flying about all over the place, some of whom got wounded.
“Then my mum said I’ll be glad to get back to London where it’s safe.
“When we got back, the blitz began, and we got bombed out seven times.”
Leonard says he will be enjoying the Queen’s Jubilee weekend at his local church in Sidcup – which will be dedicated to food and dancing for members of the public.
Leonard said: “I have my St. George’s flag flying high at my house for this weekend, and I plan to put a flag on my wife’s grave.
“We received a card from the Queen on our 60th anniversary and we celebrated as much as possible.”
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