Having qualified as a doctor just before World War II, Grandie became part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. His participation in the war was less than eventful. Or so he claims. His unit was intended to join the D-Day effort, but instead was posted to Calcutta at the last minute, so, much to his disgust and disappointment the only action he saw was the daily German mini-bombardment of his base on the east coast of England.
On his return from the war he picked up where he’d left off and merged back into the NHS system, only to find he had trouble finding a job at the level of experience he had. After an especially despairing interview, he stomped off downstairs to find his friend to share his indignation and declare he had no intention of accepting the job. Instead of his friend, he was confronted by a rather beautiful pair of legs, topped by an equally pleasing face. Eileen.
Grandie took the job so he could stick around and have a shot at wooing this lovely woman. Being a shy and polite young man, he hadn’t yet succeeded when that short contract came to an end and he just HAD to find a way to remain in the area longer to get his girl. So he took the one placement going – one in pathology.
When Eileen asked Grandie if she could go with him to watch the Medicals’ Third Rugby Team play, he realised she must like him too. They dated. He proposed to her on Gosforth Pier. And that is how Eileen became my grandmother-to-be, and how my grandfather became a pathologist.
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