Ashfield MP calls on people to remember the wartime generation and do their bit to fight Covid

I understand that times are tough now for millions of people across the UK because of lockdown but Remembrance Day serves as a reminder to us all that as a country we have come through difficult times before.

During World War II, my granddad, Charles Waterfield fought in north Africa whilst my grandma, Iona Bacon, joined the Land Army.

Both grandparents returned to Sutton-in-Ashfield a few years later, my granddad with a chest full of medals and my grandma with a baby – my dad.

I can only imagine that it was not easy for either of them.

My granddad would have seen some unimaginable sights on the battle field whereas my grandma was now a single parent, something which was frowned upon in society in 1945.

My grandma was incredibly brave returning home with my dad to a hostile environment and I am thankful she did because without her bravery I would not be here today.

What I am saying is we are very lucky to live in this country and that had my grandparents not made sacrifices all those years ago then things would have been very different today.

Covid is in many ways another war, but this time it is not bombs that are dropping around us or bullets being fired, but a disease, a silent killer than can affect any of us.

I know there are people that are sceptical about the virus, or the way we are handling the situation, but I am a believer that we can all play our part to help defeat the virus and save lives.

I wear my mask when required, wash my hands more than ever and keep my distance from people.

This does not make me a sheep, weak or weak or someone who dare not challenge Government.

It is simply me doing my bit for my country.

When you look at what my grandparents had to go through in the 1940’s and the sacrifices they made I often compare them to what we are being asked to do in 2020.

And whilst I can cope with what I am being asked to do now, I am not sure how I would have coped in the 1940s.