My wife and I are in our ‘eighties’. I’m 82 and she is eighty .. Umm ? ‘something or other’.
We were educated in the 1940s and 50s. and, although we didn’t realise it at the time we must, as working class kids, have received a pretty decent education, which included such subjects as ‘English Language’ .. ‘English Literature’ .. ‘World History’ .. and, of course, the usual maths, geography, science etc. etc.
I mention this because, although there are some bright young people about today, most of those we sometimes come across, read about or see on TV, astonish us with their lack of knowledge of ‘the world about us’ and the history of it’s people, including the most momentous events that changed the course of that same history and the famous and infamous people who’s legacy we still live with today.
I’ll give my little rant a rest now, and just finish with a little anecdote …
I once read a report about a World War II veteran going into a store where the young lady assistant noticed the veteran’s pin in his jacket lapel.
“What’s that badge ?” … she asked.
“Oh, it commemorates my service during the ‘Battle of Britain’ ” … replied the old boy …
… “What battle of Britain was that then ?” asked the girl !
bigjohn 
