Our cousin Jacqui recently posted a photo on Facebook which depicted 4 of our Grandmother McCarthy’s cousins who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
I had never heard of these young men and was intrigued enough to question my father and our Aunt Aggie about the relationship. Aggie has become the true genealogical expert of the family and was quick to explain the relationship. Sure enough it seems that Nan’s cousin Mary married into the Puddester clan and quickly became known throughout the community of Northern Bay as ‘Pasco’s Mary’.
The more I learned the more fascinating the story became. The four brothers were among the first 200 Newfoundlandersto enlist and when they set sail on November 27, 1940, it was the first and only time during the Second World War that four brothers sailed in the same contingent. Thankfully, despite the fact that the ship they all served on, the HMS Worcestshire, was torpedoed they all survived the ordeal.
However, as is often the case when it comes to family history that is passed orally, there is always a second and often more humorous anecdote that coincides. In this case our uncle reminded us of a story about these boy’s Grandfather who was knighted by King George VI in 1939. It seems that old John was a “tch” bit cross eyed and after kneeling before the king to be dubbed Sir John C. Puddester, the King beseeched him to stand, commanding him with his new title to;
“Rise Sir John”.
Unaccustomed to his new address and perhaps a little self-conscious of his deformity, he thought the King was questioning the “turn of his eyes” and explained quickly;
“I’m not certain your highness – they’ve been like this all my life!”
Oh my, talk about the perfect excuse to roll your eyes!
