- Contributed byÌý
- ´óÏó´«Ã½ Open Centre, Hull
- People in story:Ìý
- David Matthews, Gordon Holmes
- Location of story:Ìý
- Dunkirk / Humberside
- Background to story:Ìý
- Army
- Article ID:Ìý
- A4184714
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 13 June 2005
After being taken prisoner David went into the paratroops in 1942
David Mathews joined the 51st Gordon Highlanders when he was 18 years of age. Only a short time later his Regiment was taken prisoner of war by the Germans. They were being marched through the woods in France and stopped to go to the toilet. David and his friend, Andrew lagged behind the rest of their regiment and managed to escape. They took refuge in a small village from the 11th November until February, 1941, spending time with various families, protected by the French resistance.
On a lighter note another prisoner and friend was called Gordon Holmes. He was the youngest soldier in England (as he forged his age). Back in England David saw Gordon’s father to tell him he had been taken a POW and hadn’t been wounded and was OK. Mr Holmes thanked him and gave him a £5 note and said ‘Go and enjoy yourself’. Gordon returned after the war and we think he died around three years ago. Does anyone out there remember him?
David went straight into the Paratroopers in 1942 as the 5lst Gordon Highlanders was no more.
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