大象传媒

Introduction

This article has been submitted by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer story-gatherer for the 大象传媒 "People's War" website on behalf of the Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk volunteers. On Friday 11 November 2005 there was an Armistice Day Memorial Service organised by the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association. It was held at St Nicholas's Church Gardens, Whitehaven, Cumbria. This account of World War Two was obtained following the service. The author has read and understood the terms of the 大象传媒 "People's War" website.

Mr Gordon Hunter of Egremont, Cumbria is a member of the Normandy Veterans Association (West Cumbria Branch Number 51). This article is submitted with Gordon's permission.

Gordon's wartime service

Gordon was born on 31 January 1914, just before the outbreak of the First World War. When World War Two broke out, Gordon was 25 years old. He was called up the Armed Forces in 1940 and did his initial training at Carlisle, being based in the Castle.

After training, Gordon joined the 1st Maritime Regiment, which meant he manned the guns protecting the Merchant Fleet even though he was in the Army. Gordon felt this was a better role for him than an infantryman as he has a small stature. He travelled on several routes, including the vital North Atlantic supply route. Gordon was bombed many times by the Germans, and his ship was also mined in the Bristol Channel.

For the Normandy Landings, Gordon was on board the assault ship SS Empire Javelin. They transported the Americans across to land on what became known as 'Omaha Beach'. Many of the Americans who they transported across the Channel were killed not long after landing. Gordon served in the Armed Forces for six years, between 1940 and 1946.

Commemorating those who died

Gordon is a member of Egremont British Legion as well as the Normandy Veterans Association. He believes it is important to remember and honour those comrades who died, and he has attended a number of commemorative services over the years.

In June Gordon travelled to Normandy with other World War Two veterans from West Cumbria for the 60th Anniversary commemorations of D-Day and the Normandy Landings. Gordon and his fellow veterans stayed at Bayeux, and took part in several official events marking the Landings.

In 2005, Gordon took part in the official county of Cumbria World War Two Victory parade, held at Whitehaven on Sunday 26 June. Then on Friday 11 November 2005, Gordon took part in an event to commemorate the victims of the World Wars and other conflicts at St Nicholas's Church Gardens, also in Whitehaven. This was held a couple of days before Remembrance Sunday, held throughout Britain.

Conclusion

Since the end of World War Two Gordon has attended many services remembering those friends and comrades who lost their lives during the war. He proudly wears the medals he has been awarded as a reminder of events.

Protecting the Maritime Fleet and securing the supply routes were an important contributory factor in the final victory of World War Two. So, Gordon played an important part during the war years. It has been an honour to listen to some of Gordon's wartime memories and to submit this article on his behalf.

Thank you, Gordon!

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