- Contributed by听
- GeorgeMAC
- People in story:听
- George McFadyen
- Location of story:听
- worldwide
- Background to story:听
- Royal Marines
- Article ID:听
- A2452619
- Contributed on:听
- 22 March 2004
I was already a Royal Marine when war broke out. Our orders on the Ark Royal were to sail towards Germany in the event of war being declared - it was. I was 20 and my whole future was in jeopardy but you just don't think about it at the time.
Throughout 1939 and 1940 I served on the Ark Royal in convoys and also escorted merchant ships across the North Atlantic.
My older brother Walter McFadyen was KIA on HMS Hood, the following day the vessel on which I had until recently served, HMS Ark Royal was torpedoed, my mother nearly lost us both in two days - that's when it brings it home to you. Most of the time though you have a job to do and you get on and do it, your friends see you through the highs and lows. There is a bitter sweetness in war, on the one hand you see sights and have experiences which will haunt the quiet times for the rest of your life; on the other hand life takes on an intensity that you don't experience in times of peace.
In Scotland I joined HMS Formidable and in October 1940 I was involved in the evacuation of Crete. Unfortunately HMS Formidable was hit front and stern by two 1,000 pound bombs but it didn't sink.
I spent 1941 in the Western desert and Egypt; when the Japanese joined the war in '41 I was sent to Sri Lanka and picked up the Ark Royal again in the Indian Ocean. 1942 saw me put ashore with other Royal Marines in West Africa.
Already a Corporal, I went back to Deal to join the Combined Operations Forces to assist in the D-Day landings. I was assigned to protect troops in landing craft as they disembarked in Northern France; I felt very exposed at that time and often wondered what would happen to the troops we landed there.
The 27th Batallion of Royal Marines was formed to land in France and push through into Germany; fighting hand to hand, quite literally. When peace was declared I was in Germany in Willemshaven.
I had survived!
I am proud to have served this country and played my part in securing your freedom and my own. They were the best of times and the worst of times; I thankful that I survived to have the memories.
George "Mac" McFadyen PO-X3218
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