大象传媒

In WW2 I served in the Three Arms of the Realm- RAF, Navy and the Army and due to circumstances was in the army last, serving years in the Far East. I served in the Indian Army 14th division and I was left with another soldier who was badly injured and as I had a wounded leg we were left in the jungle because we would have slowed down our unit. This was the most distressing time of my life as the poor fellow died a few days later and I was completely alone and had to survive on my wits with little or no food. I used my common sense and watched the animals to see what they would eat. I would hide myself during the daylight hours and travelled at night to escape the Japs, but I became very weak and near to death, never thinking I would see home again, I would visualise in my mind "New St Station" thinking I would never see that sight again. Somehow I was found by a tribe of people who took be back to their camp and nursed me, protected me such wonderful people. I lived like one of them for several weeks or months. Time had no meaning, but when I was able I knew I had to try and get back to my unit. Finally I did this by making my way back West in Northern Burma meeting up with troops of the Assam rifles in the Naga Hills of North Eastern Assam. I am now 81 years of age and my experience still haunts me today. I still have nightmares and spend hours awake sitting on my bed. It was many years before I could mention my experience and was not able to talk about it for many years. I ask myself everyday, what was it all for, so many fantastic young men, bravest I have had the privilege of knowing, although only briefly, I consider myself to be a lucky guy to still be alive today, I have had more experiences through the war and I did write about them but never got it published, to expensive for my small pension but I have left it for my grandchildren, so perhaps they will see fit to get it published.

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