Connect with us

Roger Waters discovers details about father death 70 years later

Roger Waters playing bass

Classic Rock

Roger Waters discovers details about father death 70 years later

Lieutenant Eric Fletcher Walters was killed in World War II – but that was all his son, Roger Waters, always knew about his father, whom he never knew, and this sense of loss inspired much of his creativity, including the masterpiece of 1979 by Pink Floyd, “The Wall”.

Advertisement

He admitted that in the past he had “been very angry” to have grown up without knowing a paternal figure, but continued to support veterans’ activity, including inviting fans to send pictures of their relatives killed in the war for inclusion in recent performances of “The Wall”.

Now 93-year-old Harry Shindler, who has never heard the band until he met Waters at a memorial event for veterans, followed a trail of documents until he discovered that Lieutenant Eric died at 11:30 on February 18, 1944, during the allied landing in Anzio, Italy, in what was once an open field, and is now the center of the city of Aprilia.

Roger Waters us + Them

Shindler, who fought at Anzio, told The Guardian:

“Waters didn’t know where his father passed away, but no one raised a finger. I knew there should be a war diary, but I would never have guessed that he had been kept for 70 years. ”

“I was talking to the Aprilia board about lifting a board on February 18, and Waters could come.”

The musician wrote a poem titled “On River” and gave Shindler with the inscription: “For Harry with my thanks.”

The old soldier said, “He may think the war is over now.”

See more News

I'm a Brazilian journalist who always loved Classic Rock and Heavy Metal music. That passion inspired me to create Rock and Roll Garage over 6 years ago. Music has always been a part of my life, helping me through tough times and being a support to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist, I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After graduating in journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, I pursued a postgraduate degree in digital communication at the same institution. The studies and experience in the field helped me improve the website and always bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG

To Top