Looking on the computer Kate scrolled through the different search results trying to find the ones relating to her broach there were over 2,000 all in different regions sometimes even another country. Or they were the wrong age. There were no census records for the war as its only published every 100 years. So, she was relying on other records like birth marriage and death records as well as the military records that had been published.
From there she discoverer Michael had Married in the December of 1940 on Christmas eve to a Kathrine Elizabeth McGregor, he had 2 weeks leave before he had to be back in Malta in time for the Sydney to re-launch after undergoing repairs to a rudder.
She smiled at the names they were the same as theirs. 70 years apart and the Broach was still in the same love story, a naval officer and a true love.
"Everything alright?" Mike asked carrying 2 bowls of pasta over "here we are Pasta al la Mike"
Smiling Kate took the bowl it just looked like the continence of her fridge mixed in with 2 types of pasta.
"Looks interesting" Kate smiled
"Well, you didn't have much in so I had to just throw some stuff together" Mike Smiled sitting next to her. "So, what have you found out?"
"it looks like the Broach belonged to a Michael Thomas Flynn Born on the 25th of December 1904. He was married to a Kathrine Elizabeth McGregor born on the 16 April 1912..."
"Flynn and McGregor" Mike paused "you don't think..."
"i don't know. Never really did my family history before" Kate said "anyway I found his service record"
Clicking on the link she watched as the page loaded. There were several pages of the record which started with enlistment papers which showed his height, weight as well as hair and eye colour which were dark brown and grey blue. Like her Mike. It also showed his training ships and all his different postings in the inter war years. Including the very first Hammersley in 1935
The second page was a second enlistment page dated in 1939 at the outbreak of the war once again with height, weight age hair and eye colours.
The next page showed ships served on listing only 1 for the duration of the 2nd world war. HMAS Sydney.
The fourth and final page in the listing listed his medals and his fate during the war
Looking up she felt her eyes prickled with tears. She was hoping he had a happy ending returning to Australia and spending the rest of his life with his Kate.
"He was killed" she said looking up "November 1941 HMAS Sydney was attacked in the Indian ocean en route back to Freemantal. It took just under 7 hours for her to go down sending all hands to their deaths" she said looking over at Mike who was back in the kitchen loading the dishwasher
Picking up her broach she ran it through her fingers noticing a small crack in the enamel. Every bump and dent telling part of its story. Clicking back to the main search page she typed in Kathrines name in to the search to see if she could find anything out about her.
To her surprise it brought up a second military record and it showed she was a WRAN. Opening a second tab she re opened Michaels military history record. She found dates that matched it would seem they met on Base at Sydney where she was a telegraphist or a wireless operator. Her record showed she had transferred to Darwin shortly after finding out Michael had been killed and her record ended there.
The second listing was a memorandum to the victims of the Darwin attacks in February of 1942. The news articles listed the victims and their role on the base or if they were a civilian. Reading the list of names was haunting there were around almost 300 victims although the actual number was disputed due to the missing and unidentified victims.
Looking up at Mike who had returned to sit next to her, her eyes were once again prickled with tears.
"Kathrine was killed in Darwin" she said looking up.
She had dreamt of the broach having a happy ending the 2 lovers living the rest of their lives in bliss living in to old age. But both had their lives cut short.
"Come here" Mike said holding his arm out, pulling her close. "hey History is full of these stories. It's tragic but even if they were not together on earth then they are together in the next life"
"i know but I just hoped that they had a happy ever after especially as we have the same names"
"Kate just because their love story ended tragically doesn't mean ours will. Warfare has changed and hopefully we won't be dragged in to another conflict. Besides the brass want me to take a shore posting and promotion."
"are you going to?" Kate asked looking up in to his eyes
"i don't know. There is still so much I want to do on Hammersley" he said softly
Pulling the laptop back towards her she closed the ancestry search site she had found all she needed to find. It might not be what she wanted but it was what she had to find. It was sad that they didn't get the happy ending she foresaw but in the end, they did get to spend eternity together
so hope you have enjoyed Valentines sweethearts. this started out as an idea stemming from a Christmas present and looking in to sweetheart broaches just made me love them even more. the idea was so romantic and i would love to know the history of mine. i hope mine had a happy ending
just a few notes to the few who have tried to second guess the story (you know who you are :D ) 1941 "Mike" is not related to Mike its just a name coincidence. anyway i really hope you enjoy and i do have another Sea patrol fic in the works i am in the process of planning and hand writting up so i wont be gone too long
