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'This story was submitted to the People’s War site by a volunteer from CSV London on behalf of Douglas Charles Chandler and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.'

This story is split into 8 sections, please see the details for the following links:

Part 2 - A4518858

Part 3 - A4518786

Part 4 - A4518650

Part 5 - A4518614

Part 6 - A4518533

Part 7- A4518470

Part 8 - A4518425

Dedication

On behalf of my Father this memoir is dedicated to Dad’s family who gave their absolute support throughout the 7-year ordeal. His devoted Mum and his lifelong hero his own Dad, to his Brother Arthur and of course his elder Brother Percy who sadly died in action.

I know Dad would also like to recognise the many fine men he served with, the Comrades in Arms who developed such wonderful bonds of kinship and loyalty and especially to those who became life long friends, people you can always count on in absolutely any situation, to Jock Killops a wonderful Scot and fellow Signalman; to Val Houillon a lifelong pal from early schooldays and of course a fellow “Westhammer”; and to Charlie Holliday who was POW in the same Stalag and who with his wife Flo became lifelong family friends.

Dad is a “people person “ and so I know too that he thinks about the many whose stories may not be recorded, and the honour they deserve is just the same.

Last and perhaps most of all to my Mother, who helped and supported my Dad through more than 50 years of marriage.

The bonds of friendship are strongest of all.

Tribute to Percy Chandler

Percy Chandler, was the eldest of the three Chandler Brothers, sadly he died in the sinking of the Lancastria at St Nazaire two weeks after my Father was successfully evacuated from Dunkirk.

Douglas and Arthur I know both looked up to Percy with great admiration, and unfortunately my Grandparents (like most parents) were never really able to fully come to grips with the tragedy. My Grandmother always hoped that perhaps someday Percy might just walk in the door, because a letter from Percy had been posted after the sinking of the Lancastria. The letter was in fact posted in Bristol by a pal; it was common practice to pass letters on with friends for mailing.

I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet Percy though I am pleased to know his positive influence lives on quietly in the mind and spirit of his two brothers, as it did too for his parents and his friends. They have wonderful memories of growing up together, the rough and tumble of school days and the family holidays at Hastings. Percy was a keen sportsman and talented with his hands, one treasure still remains at home, an umbrella stand made by Percy still has pride of place in the hall of Mum and Dad’s house in Diss. Such treasures are rare and very special reminders of a life given so we can enjoy our freedom.
This recent article outlines the tragedy and illustrates just how sad it was that so many souls not only died but also did not receive recognition for their most valuable sacrifice.

Preface (by Brian Chandler)

One WWII Veterans story

“Ordinary soldier”, a gross contradiction of terms if ever there was one, there is no such thing as an ordinary veteran; every last one is not only unique but a very special person, every one a true hero, the army may refer to these men as ordinary but extraordinary is the truth.

This is one man’s story, a Veteran of WWII, an extraordinary soldier who advanced to Sergeant in the Royal Corps of Signals; he started off an athletic 12 stone twenty year old, and returned home 7 years later as a very frail but “happy to be alive” 9 ½ stone. The last 3 ½ years he spent in POW camps, before final liberation from Stalag XVIII C. In the eyes of the Army he was “just one of many”, ….”He got his service medals and a demob suit, he was still alive”. To many of the aristocratic leaders these brave men and women were dispensable, now for the lucky ones who came home it was simply assumed they would move on and start a new battle to rebuild the economy from the ground up and of course they did just that, they have been and continue to be a fantastic generation.

This is also about a wonderful Father and Mother who have been the very finest of parents and the most loyal of leaders in many community activities. Mother joined the ATS and served 4 years then at the end of the war met Dad when he returned to Catterick. Mum was always quick with her wit and often told us how she “single handedly fought to win our freedom”, often such comment would appear when ever whenever my Brother or I moaned and groaned about something trivial.
These stories are focused on my Fathers experiences from 1939 to 45 with most of the detail told in my Fathers own words, my Mother started typing some notes many years ago and now I have taken up the “pen” to put the rest into the computer.

I have taken the liberty of some editorial comment at the start and the conclusions, partly because it’s not easy for people like my Dad and many of his peers to “blow their own horn” and also because I believe that future generations have opportunity and responsibility to carry the cause forward regardless of whether we are civilians like myself or part of the current armed forces.

Why is just one mans story so valuable, especially when most of the outstanding events and heroics have already been made famous in books and film. Obviously it’s the story of MY Dad of whom I am extremely proud, that’s all the reason I need. But also the story is very valuable as part of the bigger picture, the history, closure and recognition and of course it contributes to the future.

History
The well-known books and films have all recorded “the big picture”. Often the facts were massaged subtly and sometimes severely, “you didn’t want to spoil a good story with the truth”. Even for those who took part in the well known events, their individual story often remained untold … how HE was feeling, what physical state HE was in, did HIS letters get home, what was HIS family enduring at home or elsewhere on the battlefront ……So from a historical point of view these individual stories and thoughts are important to complete the details. With modern communications we can record a much wider view than ever before, not just the viewpoint from the few. As historians say, to go forward we need to know where we came from. History is typically recorded from the perspective of the victor and those in power, sadly it takes time for the balanced picture to emerge but that’s important; and so I am pleased to assemble this story and add another chapter in one of the largest and most complex periods of world history.

Reconciliation and recognition
The second reason is for closure, so that the Veterans and Society can move forward. Whenever we are part of or witness to a catastrophe of any kind, in war or peace, there is a need for the individual to come to terms with the incident before they can move on. Today, counseling is available as an important and often essential way through the severe pain and anguish of the traumatic event. At the end of WWII there was no time for “such niceties”; on one hand the means to counsel the huge numbers of a returning army simply did not exist, and rebuilding the Country was considered the most important priority. Hence, most simply worked hard while their stories stayed untold and there has been a large silence among many of the Veterans for the past sixty years.
There appears to have been a reticence to talk about individual experience and feelings, but why? There are no doubt many reasons for the silence, “ it’s just too painful, how many sad and horrific stories are enough? Why bother?” As the next generation it’s difficult to understand why people would not want to record their experiences, so much adventure and heroism???, if only we knew!!!. An example occurred after the recent death of an 80+ year old Veteran when his adult daughter only then discovered that he had been a VC recipient.
In talking to my Dad I know that some of the lighter tales come easier; my brother and I have heard them numerous times, but they may well be the tip of the iceberg. The Veterans witnessed so many things they were powerless to prevent. It is natural to feel discomfort and perhaps guilt (albeit totally unwarranted) when thinking about the “what ifs”, and the “if only’s”….if only I’d reached out if only I’d shouted a warning, if only I’d said … if only if only………
Little wonder people do not want to talk about these things. For most of us in everyday peacetime life our “if only’s” have been inconsequential, a missed business opportunity, a lost soccer game. On the rare occasion of a severe incident, we now have the benefit of counseling and support, without this the valiant Vets had no choice but to deal with it in their own very private way, protecting us and moving forward in stoic perseverance.

The RBL (Royal British Legion) has been the rock of support for the Veterans, organized and operated by Veteran volunteers with little government support. They have provided tireless service to their members in need and also made time to support many charitable causes along the way. The RBL now faces the challenge of providing for their members with fewer and fewer able-bodied volunteers something they never complain about, it’s just what they do. My Grandfather and Father have always been RBL members and I am now a member of the Canadian Legion.
Now as the sand is slowly running out it is important that we encourage the recording of the individual stories, so that we the future generations can understand the personal consequences of war more clearly. And sharing the load by listening, we can assist the Veterans with their personal reconciliation of the horrors of war and offer to take the responsibility of carrying the cause forward.

Future
History, reconciliation and recognition all lead to the future, everything the Veterans have stood for was associated with a better and peaceful future. From the release of reconciliation and recognition comes renewal. The remaining Veterans have seen colossal positive change brought about by their efforts, now it s up to us to carry the cause forward. I am extremely grateful for the stories Dad’s written; they will be a cherished document for generations.
Some of the recent reconciliation’s between former foes have opened up brave new possibilities for understanding and peace. The program initiated recently by the British Government “Heroes Return” has been very positive. In 2004 it enabled my Father and I to retrace the steps Dad made in France in 1939 which culminated in him being one of the last to be evacuated from Dunkirk, though sadly his elder Brother perished aboard the Lancastria.

Going forward, I hope this book together with the personal experiences of many others will help to perpetuate the act of Remembrance and perhaps broaden the scope for 11th November to become a Day of Remembrance and Peace. In this way perhaps these stories will serve future generations well as they fill in the details of the invaluable contributions by the many “extraordinary soldiers”.

It has been a privilege to go through the notes and pictures. Initially I began to write the narrative in the third person from the notes and stories I had gleaned from Dad, then as the story gets into the desert it is written directly by Dad himself.

go to: Part 2 - A4518858

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