Page 9 - Gwen Landsberry - Memories Memento for Family

Patsy Kelly, Gwen

We had to have blackout curtains on the windows so the bombers couldn’t see a light if they

flew over. When I was about 15 Reverend Mother called me to come and take a phone call.
That never happened and I was so scared as I went to answer it. Mum was on the phone and

told me to come home as my brother had been killed in the war. I didn’t know what to do. I

caught a tram home, got off at The Oaks Hotel and walked up and down outside the house. I
didn’t want to go inside. I was so scared Mum would be crying. I had to go back to school

after this and I just ran and ran right down the back of the property, on the boundary. I was
so sick, like my stomach was twisted up. I just couldn’t comprehend Allan being dead and I

didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t bear to see Mum upset. I had to grow up a bit at that time.

I found out a long time later that Celia had been the one to see the telegram first when they

came to Mum’s house and she told Mum Allan had been wounded. I know it was just to ease
the pain but likely it was worse for Mum and Dad when they found out he’d actually died.

Everyone has their was of coping with death.

Allan O’Brien, his memorial and L-R Claire, Harold, Mum, Dad and Anne with the wreath

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