Why this romantic old photo of the First World War is viral
He proof of one of the greatest love stories never told
A year ago, the journalist
During the Second World War, a 21-year-old officer in New Zealand namedHarold Claridge has been published in Egypt. During a bullet launched by King Farouk, he met a Lebanese glamorous woman namedGabriella SAWAYA. She spoke French, Arabic, Greek and Italian, but not English. He, of course, spoke only English. But their love is fulfilling, even in the absence of a common language.
"They sat on a balcony of the palace overlooking the Nile, in the company of his aunt Chaperon, laughing nervously to their misunderstandings," says Longman.
Harold was sent to front lines shortly after, but wrote his letters while he was away. When he returned to Cairo in 1944, he discovered that she had been to learn English for him. They got married in the Helipos basilica in Cairo, had a girl, and spent their life fleeing revolutions and civil wars, passing from Libya to Iraq in Lebanon and, finally, the United Kingdom. They both died at 96, less than one year of the other.
"Perhaps the secret of a happy marriage is not to be able to understand each other," joked Longman. "But also maybe it's just that they were supposed to be.Of course Bat Amadou. "
The history of sounds as it is raised straight out of a Hollywood or novel movie best-seller, but it does not end there.
A month ago, a man from New Zealand commented on the post and sent Longman a photo to ask if the people in the photo were his grandparents. It happens that they were and, even more incredible, his grandfather's personal collection was at the National Library of New Zealand.
Since Longman is currently on New Zealand coverPrince Harry andMeghan Makle's Royal tour, he had a chance to stop by the library and see the album for himself. He was also able to answerMark cousins, Whose grandfather, Clarence, was a close friend of Harold.
The photos of the album have been remarkable.
But the element that really made Longman crying is this beach photo that his grandmother gave his grandfather before his departure for Cairo. On the back of the photo, he says, "Do not forget me", followed by the place and the date.
Longman says they are still not how this personal album has finished in New Zealand, but one thing is certain: Harold Claridges will never be forgotten.
And for more comforting stories like this, do not missThe incredible story of a family reunion lost for the first time.
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