大象传媒

562 Army Field Company Royal Engineers

Part 1

July 1942 a memorable date, ordered to report to Parkhurst Barracks Newport Isle of Wight, there to be trained at 19years of age from a junior waiter to a fighting unit. For six weeks would learn to march, salute, fire a rifle, bags of polishing boots badges etc., very important to spend time on Test of Elementary Training. The idea being to assess the branch of service most suitable for the individual. A surprise choice for me, being a waiter was the Royal Engineers.

After six weeks, on to Kitchener Barracks Chatham training for 3 months to become a Sapper, the training was first class.

From there was posted to Norwwich for one night, then to South Sheilds College Wimbledon. Informed to be enlisted into 562 Army Field Company, but firstly embarkation leave. As it was over Christmas I was delighted, I had not told my parents but they had guessed, ther was an added bonus, a telegram extending leave a few more days.

Reporting back, the Company was soon assembled entrained by night at Wimbledon, destination Greenock where the troopship "California" awaited our pleasure. Onboard we were issued with pith helmets, I wonder why? Sailed January 1943 first port of call Freetown Sierra Leone, we were not allowed ashore, but at Cape Town South Africa had to change ships, so were allowed ashore one day. It was 23rd February 1943 my 20th Birthday

Our next ship was "The Dunera" having to return our pith helmets. Finally arrived in March at port Ismalia. At this stage it should be pointed out that troop movements in the UK were excellent. If like mine dispatched and received through so many units without a ripple, the organisation were I hope commended.

So, back to training, had a spell bridging across the Suez Canal, one chap was knocked into the canal, all we could here him shouting was, "I can swim I can swim" Remember Reg Buckle of York, never swimming a stroke before.

Next, across the Sinai Dessert into Palestine and Gaza, training in assault boats. Eventually back to Suez onto another ship travelling the length of the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean. One day an announcement came across the wireless, that on Saturday 10th July we shall be taking part in the invasion of Sicily supported by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Given a briefing and plan of the beach we had to take and hold, also where the mines were likely to be. A booklet was issued on how we were to behave, plus the H hour we were to go on the LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) manned by a Canadian crew.

Now, on to our beach at Avola, finding the situation fairly under control apart from Jerry planes shooting us up. Apparently, although we knew the German Air Force was finished, they themselves had not been told!

Enroute to the beach to be captured came across an Italian strongpoint which had already been dealt with, the occupants dead except for one young lad about my age 20 years. As he laid dying looked at me with an expression of WHY? The terrible part was that I did not feel any emotion, perhaps it was shock seeing so much carnage for the first time. I only knew there were to be many occasions I would see death. The memory of that young lads face has always remained with me. My colleague who was sharing the mine detection had another way of coming to terms with the horror. He began to read a pamphlet, the DLI sergeant went spare demanding to know what he thought he was doing, my pal replied he was reading how to work the mine detector. The sergeant was not very happy about that until we convinced him we did in fact know what we were doing. I think Charlie did it to take our minds off what we had just seen.

Although we were to clear many mines in 1945, Charlie was killed alongside three other Sappers, where, in a remote field in Greece, whilst clearing a dump of Telle mines exploded. I have mentioned this episode illistrating for not only in the forward areas, Sappers were exposed to dangers in rear areas also.

We were informed not to expect any fresh rations for at least 3 days and live off the land. Ther was a glut of tomatoes which I hate and still do. I relied on my hard tack. Some of the boys pelted chickens but not very successfully.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.