Missing The Boat: War Stories of Thomas Alan Dirkin

7 provide context to the reader I have provided some historical background in the latter part of the book. I hope that the reader will understand that the stories presented here affected a father, son, mother, wife, and daughter; as well as extended family and friends. The impact of war is enduring and personal, and there is value in the telling. Armies do not go to war, men and women go to war, one life at a time. My Father’s Background Thomas Alan Dirkin was born on January 2, 1915. His father, Ernest, was a headmaster and his mother Ethel was a teacher. Ernest Dirkin fought in WWI. My father attended Manchester Grammar School (MGS) founded in 1515; as such, this was a “public” school. Manchester Grammar School was essentially a private school with a small percentage of students admitted based on the schools educational mission. My father was one of these minority students. He was afforded the opportunity to mingle with the upper class. He was