大象传媒

The story begins in early 1940 when Bill, my late father, was called up to serve for his country, as were many like him.

He joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers, did his training at Saton Camp, Chester, and from there went to Northern Ireland as a first posting.

He saw action in Holland, France, Germany and Belgium. He told me many tales about his wartime experiences over the years. There are many however. One very poignant one springs to mind. These are Bill's own words, "we had to dig the trenches ourselves, and one day as all the bombing was taking place on the battlefield in France, I got hit by shrapnel as I tried to shield my mate". "I was taken to hospital in Rouen to have the shrapnel removed, and then sent home on leave for a week or two".
The stories he told really brought home the true horror of war. He would explain in detail how he had to defend himself in the presence of the enemy "coming at me".

On a lighter note, in 1941 he was serving in Belfast, and he was going home on leave to get married. However, the story goes something like this, that some old ladies found out about this, and presented him with some Irish Linen as a wedding present. I thought that was particularly touching, and thoughtful.

Bill told me how a lot of his mates didn't go home, and I think it probably affected him, but he never let it bother him.

His wartime experience in Germany was particularly profound. He saw action in Hamburg mainly.

If only Bill had recorded his wartime experiences, or even written them down, then I am sure they would have made worthy reading.
I feel sad now that at the time I did not ask him to record his experiences on tape.

I hope anyway that anyone who reads this, and might have known Bill all those years ago, may perhaps write and let me know. I am Bill's daughter, Elaine.

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