Uncle Bob's Light

I grew up as "Daddy's Girl"! I think, because I had no mother, my dad loved and cosseted me twice as much. I never lacked for anything, least of all, love! I grew up in a house full of adults; I was a rather precocious child.

My dad worked hard, he worked as a shaft carpenter in the Kimberley diamond mines, often pulling sixteen hour shifts. Dad, being of Scottish decent, knew how to work wisely with his money. He would accumulate his leave, and his money, until 1949, when he decided to go 'oversees' for six months, taking me too.

We travelled Europe together (and the UK), taking time out to visit his brothers' grave in Italy. My eldest Uncle Bob, had been killed there during WW2 and was buried in the military cemetery in Cassino. As it was so soon after the war, there were few places to stay; most of the buildings were still piles of rubble, after the heavy bombings. We found lodgings at Albergo Excelsior in Cassino. Many people still lived in 'caves' in the hill-side, and children wearing thread-bare clothing, begged in the streets. My heart went out to them, even though I was still pretty young.

My dad took many photos, (I still have a few) of the monastery; of me; the children; the war devastation, and most importantly, the grave. (To show his Mom, back home, where her eldest son was laid to rest.) All the photos developed perfectly; all except for the ones of the grave. My dad said that light must have got in, and spoiled those.

In 1953, my dad decided to take another three months 'oversees', this time, taking me and Auntie (his sister). Again, we went to visit my uncles' grave, and to take photos. My dad had given me a new camera, (a boxy little thing with two pieces of metal as a view finder,) so I was eager to take photos too. All of our photos developed perfectly, except for those of the grave. Once again, light had mysteriously got into the cameras and spoiled those particular photos. (It was like a shaft of light, emitted from the grave.)

In 1964, we again had a stab at getting a decent photo to show Granny. Dad was armed with a movie camera, and a new camera for stills! Once more, every photo of that particular grave came up with the flash of white, from the grave.

Three different years, different cameras, different times of day! How can that be explained? I am at a loss! I have no explanation!

Could it be my uncle's spirit? If so, why there? Why not at home, with his wife and children? Or, failing that, with his mom?

This has puzzled me for years. Can anybody help, please?