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This story was submitted to the People's War website by Pam Riding of Kirklees Library on behalf of Carol Dyson(Mr Joliff's daughter) and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
Sergeant Harry T Joliff S-214525
Harry married in 1938 and enlisted in 1939. He was first sent to Cromer, then Aldershot and from there to Barry Island. Plymouth was the next destination where he was to be part of 32 D.I.D Division to go overseas. However, when he got there, this was oversubscribed and he was sent back, along with four others to Barry Isle. The 32 D.I.D Division was sent to the Greek Island of Crete and was all wiped out.
Lilian, his wife, travelled to various places (Cromer, Stratford-on-Avon and Barry Island) where Harry was stationed, lodging with ordinary people and getting local work so that she could be with him when he had leave.
Harry was sent to Algiers with the 93rd D.I.D Division(attached to the 5th Army). He travelled on the SS.Ormonde. He was stationed at Maissoncaree, Dagab, Setif and Philipville, where everyone was dosed with a double dose of Mephacryne tablets to avoid malaria. He was in charge of Bosotos, who sang a lot during the night. Despite the tablets, he contracted malaria and was in 64 British Hospital, Philipville for four weeks. He was given massive doses of quinine which affected Harry's hearing.
He left Philipville on the "Ville-de-Oran" pleasure cruiser, heading for Naples, Italy. Here, he worked on the docks, unloading liberty ships. Harry was in charge of the Italian P.O.W's who helped with supplies. He travelled all over Italy, following the regiment, issuing supplies to troops at Salerno, Monte Casino. Harry was in Domesdossila, Italy, when it was actually announced ‘war was over’, but this was actually two weeks after war was announced over elsewhere but because of communication difficulties they didn’t find out until then.Harry was awarded five medals, including the African Star, The Italian Star and the Defence medal.
Harry is now 90 years old and his wife, Lilian, is 94. He still remembers his time in the Army!.

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