- Contributed by听
- Braintree Library
- People in story:听
- Jack Brack
- Location of story:听
- Braintree, Essex
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A3214018
- Contributed on:听
- 02 November 2004
At the age of 18, I was a member of the Territorial Army, 2nd 5th Battalion Essex Regiment. On the Friday before War was declared, I was working at Crittals and all workers had to report to the Braintree Drill Hall. I was sent to Harwich on coastal defence duties where I met my wife who was then aged 16.
I was sent abroad in December 1940 and went to Freetown, Sierra Leone where I was on garrison duty. I was taken prisoner on 1 July 1942 and sent to Italy as a POW, then sent to Stalag 4A and 4B and to a sugar beet factory.
When Germany fell we met up with the Americans and flew back home.
My wife joined the WAAF in 1942 and was sent to Sheffield where they were housed in Nissan huts and caught TB.
All through the War my wife and I managed to keep in contact and I asked her to marry me.
I stayed in the Army until I was demobbed then went back to work as a foreman.
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