Who do you think you are? left viewers moved as tonight’s episode saw David Walliams delve deep into his great-grandfather’s terrifying past
The Britain’s Got Talent star adopted a whole new domineering comedian we know and love, as he searched for his father’s grandfather, John George Boorman, who was admitted to an asylum with a shell shock after fighting in WWI
In 1916, the hero left his wife and their three children to fight in the Battle of the Somme
However, after missing for a year, he eventually presented to Napsbury Military Hospital – where he confessed to hearing voices
It was then that he was rushed to Cane Hill Hospital, where he lived the rest of his life before dying of heart failure
Meeting historian Alice Brumby, David explored what his great-grandfather would have done during the 43 years he was in the hospital
She explained: « Every aspect of his life would have been regimented. Breakfast would have been at that time, he would have eaten this food and he would have gone to work
« So I am struck that your grandfather would have been a hero of WWI, in a military hospital, then in a lunatic asylum But you can see they tried to make life here a little more fun «
David then listed the « general weekly entertainment program » which included quizzes, a day at the movies, a listening session to the radio
But the one that stood out for David was the art class, and Alice actually had some of her great-grandfather’s work on hand
“It’s such a sad story,” the children’s author said looking at a photo of John before he went to war “He looks proud and he smiles, he doesn’t no idea of the horrors about to face him «
« There’s a positive part of the story, and it’s the paintings, because the paintings make me think his life here couldn’t have been terrible, » he added
« In my own life I haven’t experienced anything like him, but times when I felt depressed I was thankful to be creative because it’s an escape I’m glad he had the paintings and I’m glad to have them «
Fans were saddened by the story and took to Twitter when one revealed she just wanted to hug David
« So sad, » someone said as another wrote: « I just watched your #wdytya, completely moved, I was sitting in tears, thinking about how we were treating our heroes
« One of the best episodes I have ever seen Thanks for sharing your family story with us, David @MindCharity was really needed then »
Others felt the same, adding: « David Walliams #WDYTYA with typically incredible testimonials from WWI and beyond Terrifying »
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News from around the world – UK – David Walliams fans in tears as he reflects on his grandfather’s « terrifying » past
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
