I am one of the "lucky" ones, my father was too young for WW1 and in both wars, was in a reserved occupation. However, I had two uncles who were blown out of the water, one twice the other once. One in the Royal Navy the other Merchant Navy. They never talked about it though. My old GP had been a MO on HMS HOOD, but was transferred to a destroyer for a suspected case of small pox. The Hood went out then, and never returned.
Years later I was working at his bungalow, as you walked in the front door at the end of the hall was a oil painting of HMS HOOD. I am sure there are many stories like this, and for many the pain will never go away. This time of year must be very poignant to so many.
Iain.