How long Edward remained at Meanwood Park Ems Hospital in Leeds is unclear. What the collection does tell us however is that approximately ten months after his admission, Army Form B108J was completed. Edward had been discharged from the British Army. Edward could go home.
Signed on the 9th of February 1946 the document records Edwards move from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment to the Queens Royal Regiment (as explored in previous blog posts). It also records him as having served (with the colours) for 4 years and 294 days, nil as a reserve.
It finally confirms as we know that he remained a private and more interestingly that he is being discharged on the grounds that "there being no army employment". Disappointingly the line below this is damaged and obscured presumably detailing this further.
Edwards war experience was now at a close. He could return to his parents of 146 Wychbold Crescent in Birmingham and would marry Ada nearly five years later.
With his physical injuries attended to, post war Edward would suffer disability for the rest of his life as a result of the conflict; mainly to his feet. Edward had taken quite strongly to smoking during the war also not always sure what exactly had been rolled up. Needless to say, post war his habit developed further smoking Woodbines worsening his already diagnosed breathing issues leading to Emphysema.
But as we now understand more clearly, the physical damage of war is only part of the trauma conflict inflicts upon a solider. Edward was no different. Stories passed to me by family members all suggest he suffered from what we now understand to be 'post traumatic stress disorder' (PTSD).
"Dad would wake up in the night in a state of panic and run around the house opening all the windows"
Ted Timothy - Edwards Son
"My Dad would only ever mention the war when he had been to the pub all day"
Richard Timothy - Edwards Son
"He (Edward) used to have (howling by the sounds of it) nightmares connected to lightning which was apparently how their position was exposed leading to his capture"
Nick Timothy - Edwards Nephew recounting stories passed to him by his Father Albert Timothy
I myself have memories of tales passed to me by my Nan (Ada) related to Grandad's behaviour. Nothing of the detail above but all paint a picture of a man struggling with some mental demons. There was always reference to his drinking, presumably as a coping mechanism, backed further by him being known locally as "Bull". Nan said it related to his inability to accept being pushed around, despite his limited height, and was a result of his army experiences such as defending himself in the camp.
Such stories are not uncommon of the period. To go home and move on in such a short period of time seems both unrealistic and naive with todays knowledge. Many would naturally seek the same means of salvation, or escapism housed and provided by a local brewery.
I should imagine so many damaged souls, in one room, under the influence of alcohol must have been quite eventful.
Or maybe it was just a different time and they were misunderstood?
You heard about that clumsy "bull" in the china shop right?
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