大象传媒

After volunteering for the Royal Navy at 17录, I eventually received an order and railway warrant to report to HMS Royal Arthur, Skegness, on 30th of May 1944. This turned out to be a pre-war Butlin鈥檚 holiday camp, rather sparse and cold.

We were beginning to find our way around this new way of life when D-Day happened on 6th of June 1944. There was a full parade of all ranks, and the Captain addressed us in the appropriate manner of the great struggle that our gallant comrades were making on the coast of France, and that some of us would no doubt be over there with them before long.

Obviously huge quantities of blood would be needed for the wounded, so they had arranged for transfusions teams to be here today. This was entirely a voluntary service you would be giving, so if any man does not wish to give blood, take one step from the ranks now.

Eyes swivelled left and right waiting for just one courageous man to step forward so that the cowards could join him, but everyone was rooted to the spot. Eventually a bumper amount of blood was given and it didn鈥檛 hurt at all, unlike the vaccinations, injections etc we had all suffered the previous week. I often wondered whether this was a 鈥渙ne-off鈥� or a regular occurrence.

Incidentally I became a regular blood donor in later life and gave 52 pints before having to give up on reaching 65.

This story was added to the People鈥檚 War site by Melita Dennett on behalf of Clifford Worth, who understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

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