大象传媒

I was 23 when my service began, having been born in London. I had been on holiday to Folkestone as a boy and was later stationed there. My army career started at Detling Aerodrome in May 1940 and was the start of a difficult but lucky adventure that took me all over the world, and ended up with my involvement in the Black Cat Division that liberated Italy. The City of Anzio stills send their thanks to this day!
One particular incident at Folkestone calls for mentioning in May 1941. We were billeted in Cherry Garden Avenue, and one night a German bomber came and dropped two parachute land mines. One landed in Morehall Avenue and many were killed including the Mayor and Mayoress of Folkestone. The other one landed in a tree on the corner of Cherry Graden Avenue and Cherry Garden Lane. The only person to be injured was a gunner on guard outside the House, this being the Battery headquarters, who recieved a small cut over his eye. Dare I say that I was very lucky as I had swapped guard duty with him, and who knows where I might have been at the time!
Altogether I performed duties in Kent for 18 months from May 1940 to October 1941, and was stationed at Detling, Tonbridge, Brabourne, East Brabourne, Hythe, Capel and High Halden. My 8 month posting at Folkestone had some interesting gun positions, including a position on top of some bushes at the top of the road of Remembrance, and later on, one by the fish shop in Red Lion Square, Hythe where we were billeted in a public house on the other side of the canal, and communications were by string over the canal!
My father was killed in the WW1 when I was five months old, and my mother brought the three of us up by herself. I have been very lucky in love and life, and have never forgotten my comrades. I am a member of the Italy Star in Thanet, and travel back to Italy as often as possible. I went through many unforgettable experiences but at least I learnt one thing: I was always late for work before the war, I was never late after it!
This story was submitted to the People's War website by Katherine Shannon of Canterbury Christ Church University and heard at Newlands School, Ramsgate, on behalf of Ted Wilks, and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Wilks fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.