THE FATHER IN THE SOLDIER

by Hattie Ellis (Salisbury)

It’s the untold story, the soldiers’ feelings. When they get into the chair, they start talking to the barber. From officers to normal privates, it is all same: how they feel. I just listen.

The soldier comes in. He’s happy, he’s proud, he’s going to war and he wants to. But I also hear what they are worrying about; what they won’t tell their wives; their wives are worried enough.

Six months is a long time. Your child could be walking, saying mama and dada. I’ll miss their first birthday, first day at school. They aren’t broken hearted; it’s just what they are missing and can never get back because they are fighting for us.

When they come back, they just say ‘I was busy’. They are not allowed to talk and they don’t want to. I’ll be honest, I never ask. They’ve come home and are happy to be back with their wives and children. We all know what can happen.

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What Hattie Ellis says about THE FATHER IN THE SOLDIER:

Rosie the Barber from Durrington contacted Made in the South after watching a piece about the project on BBC South. She said: ‘After an 8-9 hour day my feet were killing me but I thought I shouldn’t worry about my feet after what I hear all day from the soldiers. They want to go; it’s what they signed up for; but they still have feelings and I think people should know the hidden story.’