[General] left/left his family

[Will17]

Hello,

Is "his family" necessary here, please?

"My friend's father left when he was 2 years old".

"My friend's father left his family when he was 2 years old".

Thanks a lot

Will

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, you would certainly be understood if you simply said "My dad left when I was two" or similar. No-one will think you mean that he just popped out to do some shopping (although that might have been his excuse, before never coming back!)