大象传媒

My brother lived in Wingletye Lane in Hornchurch, prior to joining the Grenadier Guards in January 1943.

He served in the 2nd Arm Batt and was the tank driver for Major James Bowes Lyon, who was the queens cousin.

He was killed on 14 September 1944.

In a letter to our Mother and Father, James Boews Lyon writes ( and I quote )

"Our tank was knocked out by German guns after we had destroyed two of them. After we had been hit three times, we burst into flames. We all got out but a fourth shell landed a second later near the tank and killed your son instantaneously.

I have known him ever since he joined the Squadron and he was a very great friend of mine, so the loss affects me too very greatly.

He has always fought magnificently in all our battles. Always he has been cool, calm and very courageous and had a high sense of duty. He had many gerat friends in the Squadron and we all admire him for all he has done, and none of us will ever forget him. "

My mother opened the telegram at 8pm and it shattered her and my father. When I arrived home from Guides, a neighbour was standing on the pathway waiting for me and told me to hurry home as my mother wanted to see me. I had no idea of the news that was to come. My mother asked me to phone our relatives. I was 14 years at the time. Mother's uncle, who lived in Harpendon, immediately invited us to go and stay with him.

I was left as an only child and overnight, took on a responsible attitude towards my parents and my school work.

I trained to be a teacher and was a head teacher for 15 years at Eastwood Girls High School in Southend. I spent 10 years at Torrells School in Grays.

In 1995 I was awarded an OBE for my voluntary work in the prison service.

April 2005 - Betty Finch OBE

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