Minnie Driver In Tears Over Fathers Role In War | Who Do You Think You Are

Minnie Driver follows the footsteps of her father by visiting Brooklands Museum in Surrey. She gets to hear about his role in the war and even gets aboard a partially restored Wellington. Minnie also has the opportunity to meet a veteran who knew her dad Ronnie.
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Hollywood actress Minnie Driver is on a mission to find out more about her late father, Ronnie, and his family's background. Minnie's parents were not married, and Minnie only discovered when she was older that her father had a wife and another family all the time Minnie's parents were together. Minnie knows her father was awarded a medal for his role in the battle of Heligoland Bight during World War Two, but is shocked to discover that he apparently threw it away. She sets out to investigate why her father would relinquish such an honour. The trail leads Minnie to relatives she never knew existed, and she discovers a kindred spirit in the family.
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[@meme-hz1mq]

93??? That man looks Amazing! And still very sharp

[@TrueLeft-n6j]

Let’s break down the real shock factor here. Advances in modern healthcare have helped plenty of people reach old age in good health, so acting like it’s some kind of miraculous anomaly is more of a tired reaction than a revelation. Besides, the comment feels like the verbal equivalent of a ‘like’ button-vague and superficial. Maybe the real story isn't about him ‘looking amazing,’ but about what he's done, the life he's lived, and how he's stayed engaged with the world in meaningful ways. Focusing on how someone ‘still looks good’ at 93 feels more like small talk than substance.

[@NBizn]

@@TrueLeft-n6j Small talk in a KZbin comment. How dare he? First time on the internet, eh? Welcome.

[@allegrobrio968]

@@TrueLeft-n6j Now that you've criticized another' comment as being "vague and superficial," a question for you: Do you feel better now?

[@TrueLeft-n6j]

@@allegrobrio968 Oh, I feel fantastic, thanks for asking! It’s like you read my mind. Critiquing vague and superficial comments is the digital equivalent of a spa day. But seriously, if you’re trying to turn this into some deep philosophical reflection, you might want to aim higher. I didn’t realize we were grading KZbin comments on emotional fulfillment now. But hey, if that’s your lane, enjoy the ride!

[@noguardrails47]

@@TrueLeft-n6j Relax!

[@brianmallen8887]

The best part is you really see him in her. Especially that smile. Hey man, you're gonna survive this war, and your daughter is gonna be a movie star. I don't know nothing about Minnie Driver and her Dad, how long he lived. But I'd say this, your daughter wasn't a hero like you, that's real life. But she was the lead in three of my favorite movies: "Sleepers,"" Good Will Hunting, " and " Gross Point Blank. " And Sir, they were all in the same year.

[@memento_mori6454]

So true! And well said. I loved her in [Hard Rain] and [Return to Me] as well.

[@scarlettroger1508]

Great comment.

[@brianmallen8887]

Thanks..... Watching real life Minnie, reconcile that with the young woman who back when just crushed it, so different yet so beguiling in all three "ultra guy" films. True, she had the least to do in "Sleepers." But nobody in that film stole it. They all did. Including Minnie. Okay, sure, Matt Damon and John Cusack are two of the great film actors in my lifetime. In two of their penultimate performances. But guess what, without Minnie Driver there ain't no classics to be had.

[@randomguy-]

To hear that 93 year old bloke telling Minnie how her father gave someone the contents of his pockets before going on a mission and then remembering she sang "everything I've got in my pocket" gives some context. Great actress and great song. Even better now somehow.

[@mikekroft86]

Finding out your dad is a hero, has to be an emotional thing.

[@rondodson5736]

Anyone who served in war time is a hero in my book.

[@TrueLeft-n6j]

Oh, absolutely. Discovering your dad is a hero must be just so overwhelming-right up there with realizing that water is wet or that gravity exists. I mean, who could possibly handle such earth-shattering news? “My dad, a hero? How could I have ever known, with all those years of him saving lives, doing noble deeds, and wearing a cape around the house!” The emotional rollercoaster must be unbearable.

[@jleechadwick]

I'm an American, but my father was a bombardier on B-17s in WWII. He was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force in Deenethorpe during WWII. My father had the same problem as her father did, as he was tall as well and it was not easy for him to get in the doorway to where his position in the plane was, which was the bomb bay in the bottom of the plane. My father also didn't talk all that much about his experiences in WWII either. It was a very different time then. I found out that there is a website (it's a British one), about Dad's squadron and saw pictures of him that I'd never seen (he was 20 or 21 when he joined the Army Air Force and went to England). He died in 1999, so finding that picture means a lot to me.

[@philipnestor5034]

Your dad was part of what they call the Greatest Generation! Men like your dad saved us!!

[@vincenzodemarco7983]

I know how you feel. My father was the Pilot of a B-17 stationed probably in the same place. He survived 35 missions, where 3 out of 4 planes Never returned. I have all his medals. He went on to Pilot Rescue Helicopters in the Korean conflict and then on to fly the forerunners of the Awacs in the Vietnam war, and was killed there in 69. I was nineteen, I have all the pictures from England of the entire crew standing in front of their Bomber. One never knows, your father could have been in the same crew?? Life is Strange.

[@philipnestor5034]

@@vincenzodemarco7983 Men like your father are part of what they call the Greatest Generation. Men like your dad saved us!

[@McRambleOn]

IMO Britain does a much better job actively commemorating their war heroes and recording/learning about their stories at war and those of their soldiers/heroes… really engaging w/ them and treasuring their individual impacts in the war effort- at the local AND national scale. I feel like we do it for a time and then it peters out, so that each new generation has to seek it out and try to encounter and discover these important legacies… often realizing they are much closer to home than they likely realized. Perhaps bc we didn’t have as many tangible scars on our infrastructure, the frequent fears when air raid sirens went off, the experience of waking up to find the block next to you was decimated by the blitz, and ppl at home were not largely displaced (like children being sent out of the city for safety or women that went to work on farms and in hospitals etc) which partly explain how the lived experience of EVERY person and child that was at the home front in Great Britain was shaped in more extreme and radical ways than those in the US… and this all may be a factor as to why we never quite embraced and celebrated the legacy of everyone’s impact and sacrifices and valiant efforts? I’m not saying we failed to do it at all, just saying the Brits were always more active in engaging in the types of activities and monuments and clubs and history enthusiasm surrounding the wars and remembrance of them. Of course we both dealt with the tremendous weight of the invisible wounds that soldiers and families were left with at war’s end, but we seemed more poised to let them put it behind them and move on, and those that wanted to talk about it would do so at the American Legion hall. It wasn’t until many started dying that we realized the magnitude of stories and details we had missed out on and sought to do better at recording them and organizing better ways to enable their history to speak to the younger generations. Always have admired the Brits for their strength in the face of such close and present danger as well as vulnerability and insecurity in almost every form imaginable. I know my G. Grandfather was a proud merchant marine and what his experience meant to my family. I visited the new(ish) WWII history museum in New Orleans, which was the 1st I had been to before (so that proves my point a bit); it wasn’t until I walked into the 1st room which was dedicated to the merchant marines that i ACTUALLY and more fully understood the inherent dangers and incredible importance of his contribution to the war effort. Unfortunately he died in his 50s from heart disease. Unfortunately, so often, the memories and records of those that served are all many of us has to personally identify with, and better grasp, the enormity of the work undertaken by everyone involved in order to end up triumphant… as well as the impact that the time had on them.

[@vincenzodemarco7983]

@@philipnestor5034 This is so true, yet few people in Today's World acknowledge that about our distant past. Or even worse, they Don't even Know what Actually took place. Now, look at the Major change Our Country is headed towards. Our fathers and mothers would Not Believe who is Ruining the Show Now. Frightening.

[@mencken8]

I attended a reunion of the members of my father’s squadron in 2002. Even in those aged men, the events of 1943-44 still were active in their memories. They never got over it. Never.

[@fabigrossi2976]

WWII traumatized millions and millions around the world for the rest of their lives, soldiers and civilians. My german grandfather as well as his father and his three brothers were convinced Nazis. My grandfather came back from war totally changed for the worse. He treated his family bad, his kids suffered so much they had psychological problems all their lives. My mother, his daughter, couldn't manage her life very well and influenced us kids for our lives as well. War is always horrible, no matter which side you are on.

[@tomwestgarth9755]

My grandfather passed away last year at age 97 but was still struggling with memories of ww2 and Korea

[@ellenstewartbowman3898]

my dad was in the Fifth Armored Division and he lived with WWII hauntings till his death.

[@jeand8943]

rico567 thanks to your father and thousands and thousands of other fine men and women of that day we are a better world for it, thank you

[@lgarcia67]

All these years later and here we are with another war breaking up in Europe. I just pray that our boys don’t have to go due again at the hands of another mad man

[@Charlie-wr6dy]

My grandfather sailed from Australia and joined the RAF in 1940. He also flew in Wellingtons as an observer/navigator, completing one tour before being called home to train aircrews due the Japanese threat to Australia. He died before I was born, but I have his log books and service record. The sense of duty and courage shown by that generation of men and women should be used as an example today, alas the world has become a shallow, vapid place. Soft times produce soft men. Lest we forget.

[@indigocheetah4172]

As an Australian, I have respect, and admiration for all who served in Australia, Overseas, Africa to the Pacific. All of our Allies. Lest we forget.

[@DavidGatto]

My grandfather was wounded during the Battle of The Bulge, people nowadays always underestimate the firepower of the Germans- it was no joke trudging into a wall of 88's including cloud bursts. We all still live off that generations bravery.

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

Well said! Incredible bravery!

[@catherinebornemisa]

My great grandfather died in the Battle of Passchendaele in Ypres, Belgium. His son, my grandfather was 2 years old and his baby brother had yet to be born. Their mother remarried and had three more children but died in childbirth with her third baby. My heart aches for my grandfather and how that must have been for him as a young boy. He ended up spending most of his time with his maternal grandmother who lived next door. 💔 How lucky are we to have never faced challenges like these. 😥

[@brentiatus5335]

A Big part of WW2 happend in Belgium. Yet ive always felt that it has been slightly overlooked. SO many Americans and British soldiers gave their life over there and are stil buried there.

[@Hartley_Hare]

What a brilliant way of expressing it.

[@cookingonthecheapcheap6921]

What was terrifying for your grandfather was "tree bursts". Not only did he have to worry about the explosives and shrapnel, but the technique meant the trees themselves became shrapnel. Your grandfather was a hero, nothing can take that away from those fantastically brave men.

[@firestorm8471]

You can not help but love this Lady. Classy and genuine ! Beautiful to boot .

[@bobtudbury8505]

not according to her neighbours

[@adamsweet3587]

My Grandfather was 6th Airborne at Normandy and at the Ardennes, lost all of his mates. One time he talked about being relieved from sentry duty, only five minutes later his replacements were all killed by a "Moaning Minnie" Nebelwerfer that hit a tree nearby. At the wars end, he was almost 30 years old and one of the oldest in his regiment. He hated the Germans, not surprising, from what he saw. He said the worst bit was picking up body parts of his comrades, so bodies can be made whole as much as possible to be taken away. A simple man really, a Bus Conductor in civvy street. I owe complete gratification to him and all of his generation. We take freedom for granted, but it is hard fought and constantly fragile.

[@billskolnik4908]

Well, this old salty Marine cried. Even now as I type this a few tears roll down my cheeks. When I was younger, I used to think that tearing up was because of weakness, but now as I approach seventy, I know that my tears are tears of love and admiration for warriors who go into battle. These warriors have created a foundation that all others like me as a young Marine stand on and gain strength from, we stand on their shoulders and honor them by fighting to preserve what they have sacrificed so much for, peace.

[@allywolf9182]

GOD bless you friend! Semper Fi

[@StarLight-sl9ok]

Thank you for you service Sir.

[@judycroteau482]

Well said, sir. Thank you for your service. ❤

[@keithad6485]

More power too you. I am not far behind you in age, served in Aussie Armoured Corps. I feel the same way with tearing up.

[@RoryBlackburn-g4b]

God Bless you MARINE. “Ox”. F-16 Fighter Pilot. Fmr. Retired. Old man. Bad back. SALUTE

[@markgerard5585]

Minnie is a great actress. Even the best in world cannot contain her true emotions when it hits so close to home. You've made me cry as well. Your father was a great man. You have every right to be extremely proud.

[@Arwar555]

Beautifully put

[@cavman7]

Deeply conflicted between admiring a beautiful woman, feeling sad at her distress, and elation at her fathers efforts. Inside we all hope we are capable of such courage. She must be so proud to be her father's daughter.

[@bengee1040]

As great of an actor, I think she's a better singer

[@keithad6485]

Loved her character in Good Will Hunting.

[@hughphillips1427]

Crying as you said, she is an actress.

[@cindymack8670]

Minnie’s dad would be so very proud of her determination to know who he was. I know she’s proud of him. My dad was in the South Pacific the last year of the war, at 17 years old.

[@jimmyavsfan24]

She’s such a beautiful soul. Inside and out. God bless.

[@philmcbride6572]

Amazing story. I love Miss Driver’s description of her hero father as a “Good Bloke” I can think of no finer tribute for a father from his child. Very heart warming.

[@andrea22213]

Ironic, as he was married to another woman while fathering Minnie. Led a duplicitous life, and seemed to be completely self-centred. He was later a director of London United Investments which collapsed (the largest collapse of an insurance company at that time) and it was later discovered that many millions of pounds were wrongly diverted into Lichtenstein accounts. No-one was ever charged. A good bloke indeed!

[@robbieholroyd8084]

@@andrea22213 do you feel better now

[@andrea22213]

@@robbieholroyd8084 No, not trying to feel better. Merely stating facts.

[@andrea22213]

@Tessmage Tessera She can feel how she wants, I'm not challenging that. I'm saying he was a devious crook.

[@andrea22213]

@Tessmage Tessera It is fact, so why not.

[@woodenseagull1899]

A most underrated actress. We don't see enough of her!

[@Supreme_321]

I agree with that, there's been loads of movies which should have had her in the main role instead of who they chose.

[@islgrl292]

Yes, well but for raised in Scientology, maybe her Dad should have stopped that craziness for her.

[@Heretic84]

Because she ain’t woke, that’s why.

[@johnromero6642]

Really touching that she was able to speak to one of her father's mates from the war. My father landed on the Anzio beach head in Italy and "fought his way up the boot" as he would say. All these men did amazingly brave acts and didn't expect any accolades. They just wanted to make it home. This made me tear up thinking of Dad. He would have been 99 this year.

[@patriciajrs46]

That's just fantastic.

[@tattoojack1969]

Growing up in Oklahoma I knew some old timers that served in the 45th Infantry Division, The Thunderbirds, during WW2. They fought with the Division all the way through the war including through Anzio. They all agreed that every man that lived through the Anzio landings and breakout were lucky.

[@tendrams]

I have a wonderful picture of my Grandmother's brother. He is sitting in cafe chair looking damned cool with his cap cocked to one side and his legs casually crossed. In pen, on this photo, is written "Rome, 1944". I still get goose bumps when I see it.

[@sarahdee374]

The things we put these very young men through and ask them to do in war is atrocious. So many came home with "shell shock" which we now call PTSD. It's better understood now, but I believe back then the attitude often was, just stop thinking about it, get over it etc. I wonder if that's what Ronnie's health problems were. But what a great gift to Minnie to hear and see what she just did.

[@SanniSandyBunny2000]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@annettemalaski1967]

As the daughter of a WW II veteran, I feel with you all the emotions that go with finding out about your father's wartime history.

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

I believe decency is deep in the genes. Present in Mr. Driver's actions in war, and present in Ms. Driver's work as an actress. May their descendants thrive and continue to contribute to the world they live in.

[@extanegautham8950]

was gonna say something similar....not my favorite actress per se, but have always loved her kind smile...

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

@@extanegautham8950 such a lovely voice, too.

[@SanniSandyBunny2000]

Indeed!

[@jacobaccurso]

I had no idea. To you, Minnie, I sincerely say, “Thank you for his service.”

[@placebo5466]

Saved his whole crew. Couldn't take losing his best mate (understandably). True hero.

[@shepshape2585]

I was always very proud of my father and what he accomplished in life, and I'm happy for Minnie that the story of her father's wartime exploits were so heroic and positive.

[@rockinghorses]

Good girl, good dad, good people…everywhere you look good people. Proud, silently proud.

[@auralepiphanies4055]

This is reducing me to tears. so much bravery!

[@josephlennon8475]

Minnie Driver, great actress, great lady. Minnie Drivers dad, great bloke, great airman/soldier, hero. Thank you to you both.

[@cecilchristopher5092]

As a Vietnam combat veteran I can tell you that you live with it everyday of your life........

[@keithad6485]

Retired Aussie Armoured Corps soldier here, I salute you. When I joined the Army, our sergeants and Warrant officers were Viet Vets, they were unnecessarily hard on us which I resented (not counting hard on training and repeating training over and over again, I saw the value in this) I did not know as a young trooper that these vets were not coping well with ptsd and we were the convenient whipping boys with whom to take out their anger or to belittle. Some were mean, some hit the bottle, hard on their families as well. Years later, I discovered why they behaved in unpleasant ways and am more forgiving of them.

[@ThomasMitchell-kr8yy]

Thank you sir

[@ThomasMitchell-kr8yy]

I hope your country appreciates you sir I tip my hat to you USA 🙏❤️

[@bobbaker8263]

Who knew? I Love this actress & seeing her father was a heroic Veteran is amazing. Being an American Veteran I salute her Father! Amazing story!

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Thank you for your service Ronnie Driver.

[@happytraveller8953]

Ms. Driver, you aren't the only one in tears with this story. Geez, people today/the most recent generations have little to no clue what hardship means. For the love, kids today get upset when their daggum phones don't work or they are denied some 'rights' they think they are 'owed'. When did the bigger picture of right and wrong get lost in the world and how, for the love of all that is good, do we get it back? May your dad rest in peace, Ms. Driver, and thank you for sharing this immensely personal journey. Your dad was indeed a good bloke...

[@michaelhearson]

I thank him for his brave combat service and his dedication to duty. I am a US combat veteran and I appreciate the British helping we Yanks over in the sand box during my combat tour. They truly had our backs. I thank them for their brave service. True Brothers in Arms. Plus, I enjoy Minnie Drivers work, she is a true talent. I appreciate it. I hope her many more years of great success within her craft. God bless and be safe. 😁👍❤❤🙏🙏

[@danfarris135]

My father never talked much about his war experience. The few things he did only made me want to know more. So many of those men that survived just wanted to go on afterwards and live a normal life. They held it all inside.

[@laguzl]

My great-uncle was in the Korean war, my uncle was in the army invading Kuwait in 1990 and my husband was sent to the middle east I am unsure where in 2013. My uncle never said anything about his time in Korea it's like it never happened. My uncle would write me letters sometimes painful ones about fellow soldiers being injured as they went into Kuwait. The respect I had for them is what made me join the military myself. My husband does not say much but I had to live with him through the effects of what he had seen. The nightmares, the flashbacks. It's heartbreaking the toll fighting takes on our young men and women. We should always remember and be grateful for all they have done for us.

[@anthonyweisse9758]

I hope Mr Drivers story continues. I would like to know the rest of his story. Miss Driver should be very proud of her father. His name is mentioned in so many articles and books that he was undeniably a hero many times over. Not many men when it comes down to it would put other lives ahead of theirs.. but this many did several times. Miss Driver should be extremely proud to be his daughter. What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing your fathers story with the world. You could have kept it private..... but glad you didn’t . Men like this need to and should be honored! Any man that puts others ahead of himself had to of been proud of his talented and beautiful daughter and all her accomplishments.

[@youtubegirl4252]

Beautifully put👏👏🌟

[@brianschumer788]

Well said..and your right the Germans where no joke, thankfully, they just ran out of everything to fight with..

[@rachellaurent4394]

I know I'm searching the internet for all her stories like an absolute feen!!!! I love her she's such a good spirit.

[@leighwhite6700]

Also WOW does Mini ever look like her dad. 😍 He lives in her. Beautiful.

[@bjohnson6108]

Oh the pride, and the emotions. What a remarkable father and daughter.

[@johnkissam8312]

“Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue”. Though said by Admiral Nimitz of the Marines on Iwo Jima, I think it can be said of all those who did what they said they would do regardless of risk to their lives. While in high school, my history teacher was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. My geometry teacher was an artillery observer, my Algebra II teacher was a navigator on a B17 in England, my biology teacher was a Marine who did fight on Iwo Jima. My dad, my uncles and it seemed like every adult male served. They acknowledged their service but only talked about it with other vets. Even as kids, we knew these men were bonded by something they all shared. It was something they carried with them, private and not something a kid was invited to ask questions about.

[@tonyves]

Know what you mean. One of my tutors was a pretty slight man, very well dressed: dapper. Took a bit of mockery from us kids. Found out later he'd won an MC in the war.

[@kmlammto]

I was the youngest of four. When I was an adult, my father who also survived Bataan, began to answer my questions about being a POW. He only told me a couple stories about the battles he was involved in, but he would rather talk about the food, or lack thereof going from 1/2 to 1/4 rations to foraging for anything they could find to eat. Basically, the feeling of total abandonment by the nation and MacArthur specifically. I tried many times to explain to my father that MacArthur was ordered by FDR to go to Australia, but he never gave up the feeling. After their liberation from Mukden, all the American POWs were returned to the Philippines before being sent back stateside (I never asked the others not from Mukden if that was true for them also). The President of the Philippines hosted them at a dinner and awarded them each a medal to thank them for the defense of the islands.

[@ct5625]

No doubt there were many thousands of heroes during this time, but it really seems as though Mr. Driver was a superhero. No wonder he had health problems after, how could anyone not? I hope we get to see more of his story.

[@dee_dee_place]

The writer, Rod Serling, once said that he saw his best friend get decapitated by an airplane food drop container. Can you imagine, one minute you're talking with your friend & the next minute they are laying dead next to you. How can you not be changed? Mr. Driver probably didn't even realize his friend had been hit until he started helping everyone out of the plane. I can only imagine Mr. Driver thinking... what if I saw his injuries earlier... could I have saved him?

[@oldguardmd]

My grandfather never spoke about what happened during the war. Despite being a pilot, he never got on a plane again after leaving the service. He was an aeronautical engineer before the war, but chose to walk away from it all and never speak of it again. Many of us have wished to understand what happened to him (for better or for worse), but for it seems like time has stollen that from us. So many of those who fought in WWII seem to have walked away from the war unable to speak of it. I have to think we have lost something important because they could not talk about it.

[@Wolfen443]

Maybe they wanted to spare the ones who did not live through it as soldiers the horrors that it brought upon them. They probably were PTSD'd for life in some cases.

[@828enigma6]

Well said.

[@christhompson3750]

Neither did my granddad's brother. He never spoke about it to anyone. When he died, they found out that he had two ships shot out from under him during the war.

[@claytonwhitman2611]

It is possible that his love and joy of flying was forever tarnished by the air war. At least, that is what my guess would be. As a former US Army Paratrooper, I have seen some of the cruelty and depravity of man, and some of the horrors of war. Some movies and tv shows I will not watch anymore, because there is no entertainment value in showing those things. I have seen enough, and yet I know that there is much that I have not seen yet, and I have no wish to. I can well imagine what I have not seen, and it is truly frightening what people can do to each other. The stories that I do tell from my time in service, are usually the funny ones, and some of the sad ones. The truly horrible ones, I leave unspoken. Hemingway spoke very well when he said that it is well that men should not grow too fond of war.

[@tendrams]

My grandmother had two brothers both of whom saw serious combat. One never in the 60 years after the war ever spoke of it. The other would regale me (even as a small child, mind you) of how his friends "bought it" or how he had warned a guy not to pick the fruit in Sicily but he had later lost his arm to a booby trapped orange. These brothers were a study in the contrasting ways people deal with trauma.

[@davidowens5898]

I understand her tears perfectly when hearing (for the first time) what her father did to save the crew and craft, and at such incredible risk to his own life. We think we know our fathers? What they did for us all? We don't. Their courage was larger than life.

[@gk3452]

Every time I read or hear a story like this, I wonder, what stuff were these young men made off? How did they do these incredible feats? It baffles my mind. Hats off.

[@jay-by1se]

This is what most young men are capable of if raised in a male culture.

[@johnstack4316]

Perfect answer Jay! My father served in the US navy as a gunners mate from October 1940 thru 1947 in both the Atlantic against the Germans and the last 3.5 years in the Pacific against the Japanese. He hated the label greatest generation. So do I , he was no braver than our ancestors or myself. You do what needs to be done. He thought our forefathers who fought in the revolutionary war risked more and had horrible gear supply lines and conditions. Their families were right in the middle of that conflict.

[@krob5375]

Late answer obviously. But my answer to that question would be these guys were unbelievably brave, but also purposely uninformed. I don't think a lot of these young guys heading into WW2 really grasped how dangerous it would be. Military's use of propaganda at the time combined with lack of tech/media coverage we have today meant they just lined up to go cause they were told their country needed them and it was the right thing to do. I think if some of these boys had seen footage of that first wave of D day or something similar, they may not have been so eager, for very good reason. But they all have our unending gratitude for defending our freedoms with their lives. War is probably the worst part of humanity, and everyone who has lost someone to it's destruction has my sincerest condolences.

[@marymary5494]

Relax ​@@jay-by1se

[@lemcakes32422]

its just like any other war...look at how many wars there have been this century. its on repeat

[@carolecarr5210]

Minnie, your Dad was a hero.

[@Tiber234]

Its amazing and I/we often forget that these guys were just teenagers! 18 years old and knee deep in life or death situations and in Mr Drivers case accounting himself as a selfless heroic human.

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Very powerful. We often do not ever know our parents as real people, especially is something changed them.

[@dlmsarge8329]

Very moving to hear these stories. How wonderful for her to be able to know more about her dad in all his complexity.

[@jimmason8502]

Imagine finding out your dad was a bona fide war hero!

[@deanpapadopoulos3314]

So touching. I’m the great x4 nephew of Konstantinos Kanaris a famous admiral who set ablaze Ottoman ships during Greece’s war of independence and who later became prime minister of Greece. It’s great to hear of her father’s bravery which reminded me of my famous uncle’s bravery. We truly do stand on the shoulders of the people who came before us.

[@Azoreanislandgirl64]

I Salute you all , for your Bravery and for your loss. I honor those whom helped keep us safe and free. 🙏❤🙏

[@mase7557]

I’m glad that you found out so much about your father.

[@nickwest1476]

What's amazing is that Minnie Driver seems to be the same kind of person her father was in life. Pretty impressive!

[@lordemed1]

So many very young, brave, humble great men!

[@tonipope3164]

She is the SWEETEST person.... Just so humble and loving.

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

What a fantastic piece of history about her hero dad, to cherish and pass on to future generations of her family!

[@indycoman3373]

What an amazing legacy for Minnie’s family. Thank you to all for reminding us what a true hero does.

[@scottgarrity989]

Your dad was a hero,and I honor his actions and his memory.God bless you and him.

[@razorsedge7100]

" I never met anyone in my life who knew my father when he was 18 years old." Man that comment put my father's face right in front of me. He also was a WW II vet...North Africa, Italy, France. I am 69 now and he left us in 2006. I wish I had the opportunity she got to experience.

[@r6343]

What a great actress. So wonderful that she got to learn about her father. He was so young. It's no wonder many of the veterans never spoke about their experiences.

[@susanfraser6371]

Incredibly moving.

[@pattyperkins5007]

I always tell my daughter we have to know the whole story about our families,as much as we are able to know.

[@bernarddodd9788]

Always have had a soft spot for Minnie Driver. A charming performer and hugely talented. This was a lovely little gem to come across. Her Dad was a real hero, in the truest sense of the word.

[@pe7143]

So touching… It brings tears… As my Dad was a decorated combat pilot, eventually deceased of wound long after his war, and this young lady discovering how amazingly courageous her father was in war…is beautiful.

[@richardbullwood5941]

I am a 52 year old man who had both grandfather's serve in World War II. As a society, it makes me sad to see that we are moving farther and farther away from making people that have the same ingredients as the people in our past. They came up hard in the Great Depression, their reward for surviving was fighting in the greatest war in history, and all they wanted to do was come back home and live in a little bit of prosperity and a whole lot of peace. They knew how to make things, build things, and fix things. We are now on our fourth or fifth generation of Easy Street. And as individuals, even though we have more to be thankful for than any other generation in history, we cry about how we are pressed. We have no idea what real struggle and want is, so we are going to be doomed to repeat it

[@kombotmarine1304]

All gave some some gave all I salute your father Ms. Driver. I thank you for allowing this to be shared so there sacrifices will not be forgotten.

[@Corellian]

"That's Dad!" What a touching moment, to learn about the troubles and heroics of your father, who you might only have known as a graying old man. To know what he was made of, the kind of heart that pumped in him in his prime. To know that's in your blood.

[@carlosrdorado6603]

Very happy for Minnie, her son and Mom. Much to be proud of and to learn about your past. Healing to the core, the soul. Bravo Minnie!

[@TheBishopOfBarton]

Very moving hearing of this young man's bravery and courage. I am staggered by what these men had to face. Moved to tears. Great production. Thank you.

[@timgibson2328]

my uncle Arnold was a pilot on bomber in world War 2 survived when most did not he and men like your father were true men of steel

[@Angelthedog]

What a beautiful actress and person. Lucky dad and daughter both.

[@SuperTekZone]

I can relate to the story of Minnie's father and his exploits during the Battle of Heligoland Bight. One of my great uncles was in the RCAF during the war and he was a member of a Halifax bomber crew. Like Minnie's father, he was a turret gunner, and his weaponry was exactly the same as what was found in the Wellington bomber shown in this video. Sadly, my great uncle was killed in action during a bombing run over Berlin in January 1944. His aircraft was one of 36 that failed to return from its mission, out of a force of 600 bombers that were sent to bomb Berlin on that fateful night. Lest we forget.

[@brianschumer788]

The living owe alot to them..we will not forget

[@Orpilorp]

Hi! Jane here. Bless your heart, Minnie. What a precious picture of your dad. You have his smile. What a sweet heritage.

[@schwabit989]

They truly were the greatest generation. They will soon all be gone, but never forgotten.

[@RoadWarrior-lo9vt]

Wow, that was very interesting and tear provoking. Hell of a bloke, her father. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@LifeUser]

Minnie looks fantastic for her age. My father in law actually helped fly for Britain before America got in the war. He then flew bombers and then became a Spy in the Sky. We have his silk map, a lot of photo's of WWII bombing run pics and made a memorial wall for him. My father was in the Army and ended up in Japan at the end and after the war was cleaned up, joined the Airforce.

[@evilish888]

Love Minnie to the max, she's genuinely sincere and sincerely genuine

[@Will_CH1]

I was touched by this story. My dad was also an unsung hero. It was only later in his life that he started talking about some of his experiences during the war. But only the happy ones.

[@kennethmoles4643]

I'm sure Minnie always thought her Dad was special, but now she knows that her Dad was absolutely special!

[@jocohobo1949]

The man lost his best friend during the mission in which his actions earned him a medal. No wonder he threw the medal in the Thames. Classic example of survivor's guilt.

[@lucymorgan8859]

I don't know, of course, all of the complex feelings he had when he received the medal, but I think I would be feeling that I would rather have my friends back, than even the most prestigious medal...😢😢😢

[@thomasbrown9402]

Perhaps he gave the medal to his friend, as he was also lost in the sea.

[@janemorrow6672]

@@thomasbrown9402 That is a very touching thought.

[@nickwest1476]

Definitely sounds like a class act.

[@tim7052]

A very brave man - and a father to be proud of!! 👍

[@69adrummer]

She is such a beautiful, smart, articulate and compassionate woman. What an absolute doll.

[@janetcovacic3141]

Watching this reminds me of when my dad told me that he hosed out these planes when they came back. At the time I didn't think much of it - but watching this brought me to tears.

[@michaelhood1291]

So beautiful to be able to learn all of that so many years later.

[@leighwhite6700]

This is incredible. What a history to discover. And she sat there. So amazing.

[@72mossy]

My grandfather was an Irish man from Tipperary. He was married to a Kerry woman and lived in Eastcote avenue not far from Brooklands. He was in the Homeguard and worked on the production line for the Wellington bomber.

[@JH-ck1nr]

Minnie is a true star and her father an even bigger one. Respect for both.

[@Astroponicist]

It is truly charming to see Minnie Driver's reaction to her father's adventures.

[@rebsarge]

An American, I have studied those battles and campaigns for nigh 50 years, and have been moved to tears more times than I could count, and i'm right there with, you Minne. Peace to your Pop. Clear skies and sweet ships.

[@timesthree5757]

That moment when you find that your Father was a damn Hero!

[@MegaSickcat]

How wonderful that Minnie was able to uncover and discover all this amazing information about her family....Great record keeping in the UK

[@CB-ei6ez]

Have to admit this choked me up, for some strange reason I felt everything they went through, as if i was there, here's to the greatest generation, thank you for your all sacrifices, and keeping the world from falling into darkness, RIP.

[@reynardthefox]

I have always loved Minnie Driver . Now even more . My Dad was a Navigator on B-17's out of Grafton Underwood in Kettering . Bless 'em all !!!

[@dopedreamz]

She has been one of my top 5 actresses since I was a boy, she still is a celebrity crush of mine. Now I view her with so much admiration and her family with so much adoration.

[@deandee8082]

welp, I salute you sir, Airman Charles Ronald Driver for your gallant effort in the war fighting alongside the Allies and more so for bringing us your delightful daughter, what a shot that was! she is a true gem.. TY sir!

[@benjaminburch2754]

God rewarded him, with the most beautiful daughter! Look at how huge her father was.

[@cristobalvalladares973]

I am unfamiliar with the actress, but the human being seems to be very a very impressive soul. Family and connectedness is everything. I'm glad she's getting to know her dad.

[@chipps1066]

You were blessed to have such a father,Mrs.Minnie.

[@cliffright1142]

The more that I read stories of this type of bravery to stop the evil existing at the time, I’m simply awed at this courage and how far we’ve strayed in the West from the gift these men and women provided us. Touching story!

[@serendipitytwo777]

This is AMAZING! These soldiers were truly the bravest and most amazing humans. What a privilege to experience exactly how Minnie's dad went through. Thanks to all those for working hard and speaking about this time. Saving ppls memories, tells the true story of the past and preserves these brave ppls story.

[@mkjohnson7826]

Fighting Nazis…..and now they are taking over through stealth. Censorship Control through punishment Medical experimentation Breaking laws Breaking down family values Taking away means of self-defense Deliberately tearing down the economy Food shortages Fuel shortages Brainwashing children Threatening parents Propaganda Questionable elections

[@bobgaysummerland]

Why are children always surprised by the greatness of their parents? This was truly a great and brave man.

[@tuxedoneko9837]

Because that generation was humble, stoic, did not speak of their experiences.

[@jimjam8949]

I don't think she s much over 50yrs old. If her father was in RAF in WW2 he'd have been an old dad when she was born. He wouldn't have spoken about his experiences with her.

[@DATo_DATonian]

My father has been dead for a long time too. I can only imagine how I would feel to learn such amazing things about his past that I had never known, as she has about her own father. Though her experience may be incomplete I'm glad she has had the opportunity to achieve some level of closure. By pure coincidence I very recently saw a movie she starred in - _Return To Me_ , - and her performance in it was more than excellent.

[@katherinescott8821]

All time favorite movie...Return to Me

[@DATo_DATonian]

@@katherinescott8821 Me too!!! Everyone in that movie turned in a great performance. I don't know if you know this already but Bonnie Hunt (her blonde friend) was the director and co-writer of that movie.

[@peterjohnson617]

Thanks to Mr. Driver and all his mates.

[@gliderider7077]

Wow she’s a spitting image of her dad! I hope she’s truly proud of her dads bravery.

[@roseshirk2810]

All are vets deserve are respect and support. The greatest generation will shall never see again. My husband’s father was W W2 and Korea these men and women that served we should never forget

[@nefersguy]

The GREATEST generation!!!