A HAMPSHIRE woman was inspired to find out about her family's past thanks to her creative writing class, and discovered how a tragic twist of fate was to affect her family.

Mother-of-four Mary Gallifant, 63, of St Bonnet Drive in Bishop's Waltham, became interested in her family history after attending writing classes in Eastleigh and answering questions from her grandchildren.

While looking through her mother's mementoes, she discovered a Southern Daily Echo cutting of her great-grandfather's involvement in the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940.

Although the 86-year-old cook Henry Alexander Folger, lived to tell the newspaper his experiences of the evacuation, there is a tragic side to the battle for Mrs Gallifant.

Her father, Henry Addison Folger, also served in the Dunkirk evacuation.

On leave with his family in Weymouth, Mrs Gallifant's father was called up to serve in another man's place.

He left a note saying: "Maybe we aren't going far and will be back in a couple of days."

He never returned.

Henry Addison Folger, 35, was killed in battle, leaving her mother widowed with two children aged three and five.

Mary said: "My father was killed but 'Gramps', as we knew him, came safely home.

"He was devastated. He had been spared, when he'd already had a long happy life.

"When dad didn't return, mum wandered desperately through Weymouth, peering at the face of every sailor.

"She was unable to sleep and lost the use of one arm for a while.

"I vividly recall Mum letting me read the last letters to her from dad. They are happy family letters arranging the holiday and telling of his love for us all. "I was 15 years old. The tears streamed down my face.

"Mum never remarried, devoting her life to giving my brother and me a happy childhood.

"As children, John and I accepted the situation, not understanding how sad and lonely Mum must have been. Recalling these events fills me with sadness.

"What strange quirks of fate can completely change our lives.''

JO BOOTH