When This Thing Happened

I very much enjoyed When This Thing Happened by Michael McKernan, author and historian.  The author has written two connected biographies of his father-in-law, Michael Stawyskyj and brother-in-law, Joe Stawyskyj.  Michael Stawyskyj was a teenager when Germany invaded his country Ukraine and he was sent to Germany to be a slave worker.  After the War Michael spent a long time in a "displaced persons" camp where he met and married Anna and fathered Joe.  In 1949 they arrived in Australia and Michael was determined to work hard and begin a new life for his family.  He and Anna had two more children, Michalina (author's wife) and John.  The 1960s brought conscription and the Vietnam War.  That is "when this thing happened" to Joe.  The author provides information about the historical events which impacted the Stawyskyj family.  We learn how political decisions affect the lives of ordinary people.  I read a review last year describing this book as a "must read" and I agree with that assessment.  I bought the book because the review talked about Michael's life as a slave worker in Germany in World War II and then he and his family were relocated to Australia.  My own father had a similar experience and arrived in Australia the same year.  Then I read the second part of the book about Joe and what happened to him.  This is a very moving, poignant story about the Stawyskyj family. It is a book I will long remember.  Highly recommended. 5/5