大象传媒

I was a blacksmith, and began with my father in Barnet, London. In 1941 I volunteered and started in the Rifle Brigade in Winchester. Then I was in the Wessex Infantry 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment, the Recce, right up to 1946 when I was in Palestine. I am the last of my comrades still here.

We were front line troops, as close to the enemy as someone just across the room. I had plenty of close brushes, it was very hard, and many were killed.

I've got many stories about what went on in the war. This is one.

After D-Day we fought our way through Europe. There were lots of traps, booby-traps, everywhere.

On the 20th of September 1944 we were going over the Rhine. Jerry sunk our boat. I came to on the shore looking at the stars. It was so quiet and peaceful that as I came to I thought "I'm in Heaven." I had concussion. When my head was clearer I walked back to our positions. Not all of our crew made it. Three soliders met me on the way and one said, "Mate you're in a bloody mess."

I went to the RAP (Regimental Aid Post) for medical treatment. It was in a barn. They didn't give me any change of clothes. Instead I got three blankets. They said not to get excited. The blankets were protection against rats!

Reproduced with permission by Ipswich Museum.

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