IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY
John Augustin died doing his duty. His death ‘normalised’ the family, and brought
them into a fold of thousands of others up and down the country who suffered in the
same way. In this sense the life of John Augustin could eventually be ‘celebrated’, and
in time it also provided a way for Robert and Emily to remember the life of Peter
Walter and to help ease the pain and the manner of his passing. But for this couple,
Dylan Thomas’ lines from 1945 would have had little resonance
55
;
… After the first death, there is no other.
17.3.5 Paterson’s Diary, September 1943–May 1945
Between April and August 1943, Paterson’s Diary makes little reference to
Robert, but on 01 September at a meeting of the Coordination of Valve
Development group, his entry records a proposed visit to Canada and the
USA by both Robert and another colleague L. C. Jesty. But by 20 September
events in Sicily became known to all at GEC;
… News came through to Le Rossignol ten days ago that his son had been
killed flying (fighter pilot) in the near East. A sad blow which we all feel
keenly. This may affect his projected visit to the USA ….
Plate 17.10 F/O John Augustin’s headstone at Catania, Sicily. Photograph courtesy of
Steve Rogers and the War Graves Photographic Project. http://www.twgpp.org
438
D. Sheppard
John Augustin died doing his duty. His death ‘normalised’ the family, and brought
them into a fold of thousands of others up and down the country who suffered in the
same way. In this sense the life of John Augustin could eventually be ‘celebrated’, and
in time it also provided a way for Robert and Emily to remember the life of Peter
Walter and to help ease the pain and the manner of his passing. But for this couple,
Dylan Thomas’ lines from 1945 would have had little resonance
55
;
… After the first death, there is no other.
17.3.5 Paterson’s Diary, September 1943–May 1945
Between April and August 1943, Paterson’s Diary makes little reference to
Robert, but on 01 September at a meeting of the Coordination of Valve
Development group, his entry records a proposed visit to Canada and the
USA by both Robert and another colleague L. C. Jesty. But by 20 September
events in Sicily became known to all at GEC;
… News came through to Le Rossignol ten days ago that his son had been
killed flying (fighter pilot) in the near East. A sad blow which we all feel
keenly. This may affect his projected visit to the USA ….
Plate 17.10 F/O John Augustin’s headstone at Catania, Sicily. Photograph courtesy of
Steve Rogers and the War Graves Photographic Project. http://www.twgpp.org
438
D. Sheppard