Family Legacy
Marriage
Barbara Rodón and Peter RodónDuring his military years, Pedro had the opportunity to find love and form a family. His marriage was that of a movie… his new bride stood on the train station platform waving him off to the horrors of war at Swansea’s High Street Station in 1944. Barbara Rodón had become a GI wife after falling in love for a soldier who was stationed in Wales for military trainings prior to the D-Day invasion. Before they were married they had a number of encounters that enabled them to get to know each other. Their first meeting was in September 1943, a time when Barbara Donne was merely sixteen years old. She was the eldest of five; therefore, she helped her mother with many errands. It was, in fact, while shopping for groceries that Pedro offered her help in carrying her bag. After refusing his help, he persistently followed her until they arranged a meeting to see each other again, this time in the Regan cinema in Morriston. After this, a year-long courtship followed. It was following that year that Pedro was able to gain Barbara’s parents’ approval. The pair was married in Guildhall. They had a brief honeymoon due to the fact that the groom was expected to return back to the war. He left in May 1944, shortly after the wedding, and she did not hear from him for three months. When he returned home in April 1945, their child Peter Clive Rodón was already seven weeks old. As the war seemed to be ending, the Rodón family began to make plans to relocate to America, but one fatal event completely transformed their lives forever. As she stated, “Then came the worst possible news”. She was notified of her husband’s death. Barbara was told that Pedro had gone down to the beach at Le Havre, where he was stationed, for the day instead of going to Paris with his comrades, and accidently stepped on a land mine. She was also told that he was writing a letter to her at the time of the mishap. This occurred on September 29, 1945.
Pedro's Son Family
Peter Rodón and Margaret RodónBarbara raised her son Peter without her husband by her side. Peter grew up and formed his own family with Margaret Rodón. Many years later Barbara, Peter, and Peter’s wife Margaret were able to visit Pedro’s grave in the war cemetery in France. He continues to be remembered today by his loved ones and countless individuals who understand the sacrifice behind his actions. While Barbara continues to live today in the United Kingdom, at the age of 84, her son has joined his father in heaven. Peter C. Rodón passed away at the age of 55 leaving his mother, Barbara, his widow, Margaret, and his three children, Chris, Keri, and Phillip.
Pedro left a legacy through his only son, Peter C. Rodón, his son’s wife, Margaret Rodón, their children, and grandchildren, Sam, Jack, Gemma, Emily, Sally, and Joe. His family will be his permanent legacy for generations to come.
The Rodón family endured a great deal of pain from Pedro’s loss, but his death was not in vain. Pedro sacrificed his life and the family he had formed in Wales in order to help free the world from Nazi oppression. That was the price the WWII generation had to pay in order to live in freedom. Nevertheless, Private First Class Pedro Rodón continues to live in our hearts. We will remember Pedro!
Pedro left a legacy through his only son, Peter C. Rodón, his son’s wife, Margaret Rodón, their children, and grandchildren, Sam, Jack, Gemma, Emily, Sally, and Joe. His family will be his permanent legacy for generations to come.
The Rodón family endured a great deal of pain from Pedro’s loss, but his death was not in vain. Pedro sacrificed his life and the family he had formed in Wales in order to help free the world from Nazi oppression. That was the price the WWII generation had to pay in order to live in freedom. Nevertheless, Private First Class Pedro Rodón continues to live in our hearts. We will remember Pedro!