大象传媒

My late husband Sidney Britstone had a very interesting story from the last war and was mentioned in dispatches for bravery on the beaches.

This incident happened in 1944. Sidney, an officer and two men were in the only communications truck still working. As they were being bombed the other three decided to dig a trench and shelter there. Sidney stayed in his truck because he felt safer there. At night he slept under the truck on a blow-up lilo and if it rained he woke up dry because his lilo floated on the water.

The others made an unfortunate choice going to the trench as it had a direct hit; the officer and two men were killed.

Sidney鈥檚 truck was one of the few communications truck still working and when the General arrived on the beaches he was able through Sidney鈥檚 Morse code abilities, to keep in touch with men and boats as necessary.

The General travelled in the truck with Sidney on the three days it took to get to Paris. When they arrived they had a glorious French welcome with girls giving them flowers and kisses.

Sidney was a saxophone and clarinet player in a band. After the war, he joined ENSA (The Entertainment National Servicemen鈥檚 Association) the band played for many well-known artists, including Vera Lynn, and lots of others I don鈥檛 remember them all.

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