Photo Credit: A Mixed Bag 2011
Jonathan’s grandfather had left him an old map containing a detailed description of the quarters he kept while serving as a member of the Royal Engineers, 172nd Tunneling Company. They had been commissioned by Churchill in 1940 to dig an elaborate maze of tunnels through the chalky walls of the White Cliffs of Dover during World War II.
When the National Trust discovered the tunnels in 2013 and opened them for public tours after clearing over 40 years of debris, Jonathan reserved a ticket hoping to find the mark his grandfather had made decades earlier.
His grandfather’s map read, “One hundred twenty-five steps into the belly of the Fan Bay, bear right and continue on 12 metres or so. It’s there I left my mark for all eternity and generations to come.”
Jonathan traced his grandfather’s steps deep into the tunnel. It only took him seconds to find the initials and the date, 25 November 1940 etched into the chalk walls. Jonathan ran his fingers over the letters carved into the wall. “This is your legacy to the world Gramps,” he thought, “But your stories? They are forever etched on my heart.” …for all eternity and generations to come…
kat ~ 9 February 2016
(199 Words )
A story inspired by the photo above for Sunday Photo Fiction’s Weekly Challenge. To read other stories or enter your own, click HERE.
like mercury colliding... 
February 9th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Greatt story
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February 9th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Thank you Willow. 🙂
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February 9th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
I really liked it and I saw a program on those tunnels only last week !
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February 9th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
I think it’s amazing that they just lay dormant more or less since 1970 or so. People had to know that they were there. It’s good that they are allowing tours. We do need to remember these things. 🙂
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February 9th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
This is so lovely. I love the sentiment and how he is carrying his grandfather’s stories in his heart – and that he cared and loved to listen to them. Such nice words.
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February 9th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Thank you Jenny. I like to think the the stories about days gone by that I share with my grandchildren will live on with them. 🙂
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February 9th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
I like this story a lot. It’s wonderful how the Grandson can maintain a Connection to his Grandpa through that mark in the cave and especially through his Grandpa’s stories. They are the Grandpa’s immortality, as is his Grandson.
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February 9th, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Yes! Not all legacies are etched in stone! 🙂
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February 9th, 2016 at 4:11 pm
Nice story. I like how the story comes full circle.
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February 9th, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Thank you!
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February 9th, 2016 at 5:32 pm
I love this, you bring together both the physical reminders and the emotional so well at the end.
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February 9th, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Thank you so much! We all leave our legacies with our children.😊
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February 9th, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Oh I do like this little gem of a story, Kat!
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February 9th, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Thank you Kathryn. I had wanted to include a bit of history in this one. It took a bit more research, but it was fun. 🙂
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February 10th, 2016 at 9:27 am
A lovely story of a grandson’s love for his grandfather. I love how his stories “will forever be etched in his heart.”
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February 10th, 2016 at 11:39 am
Thank you PJ. As I mentioned in another comment, I like to think we leave a lasting legacy with our children and grandchildren. It is a nice thought. 🙂
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February 10th, 2016 at 11:56 am
I agree with you. We do have a lasting legacy with our children and grandchildren. I cherish all the stories my grandmothers told me. I didn’t get to know my grandfather because they had both passed away by the time I was born.
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February 10th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
How fortunate you had your grandmother’s stories. 🙂
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February 10th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Yes! I really do cherish them.
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February 10th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Very sweet!
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February 13th, 2016 at 8:51 pm
This made me go cold. My rear balcony opens up onto a view of the cliffs and you can see the entrance into the tunnels, as well as some of the vents. I wanted to go down into the new tunnels, but with my disability, I wouldn’t have been able to make it, and they don’t allow photography down there. From when I went into the other tunnels a few years ago though, it is impressive, and the stories in there are remarkable ones of strength, will, loss, hate, love, and above all, hope.
Your story captures that perfectly. Thank you.
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February 13th, 2016 at 9:31 pm
Thank you for sharing your experience with this amazing place. I only had the advantage of history and stories of others when I did my research for the piece. It is stunning to me that you are so close to this. Peace and blessings to you…kat
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February 14th, 2016 at 7:02 am
Thanks Kat. They recreate the wartime experience sometimes in there. They have people laying on stretchers, and sometimes people portraying Churchill and his team.
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February 14th, 2016 at 7:37 am
It sounds amazing! 😊
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