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I was called up in March 1942 and did my 6 weeks’ training in Wales. I was in REME (mechanical engineers) and trained as a driver. In late 1943 I was posted to Scotland and we had to waterproof the vehicles and tanks and practise landing around Fort George on the beaches in readiness for Operation Overlord. We left Scotland for Hampshire, Rowlands Castle to be caged up for a while — we were confined to the camp. It was May and we were just waiting to go to France and spent our time playing cards, football, trying to keep fit etc not realising what a difference there would be in a few weeks’ time.

I left for France on 12th June, (D-Day + 6) to make up an LAD unit for an heavy artillery unit, Essex Yeomanry. They had self-propelled guns 25lbs. We were assigned to repair the tanks and vehicles of the Essex Yeomanry Regiment. Once in France we proceeded to Belgium, Holland and Germany.

While in Holland, when the battle at Arnham was in progress, the Guards Armour Division were sent up to try and relieve them because there were such heavy casulties. In doing so we were cut off on the Niemegan to Arnham Road and for a while were stuck with no fuel or food or supplies. So we had to backtrack to Niemegan. After the defeat at Arnham we proceeded to cross the Rhine into Hamburg and Hanover.

I remember spending my 21st birthday (23rd June 1944) in France, under a 3 ton lorry sheltering from the sun!

I came from Liverpool but was posted to Kent, billeted in the Westwood Drill Hall which also contained all our garages and workshops for the Regiment. This was in the Infantry Division. We used to repair any damage to vehicles. Some of us were then posted to Nonnington College and did training in the surrounding fields.

I stayed in Germany in Kiel for a year after the war and there was a fraternisation ban with the German ladies! No chance! We were fortunate to then be well fed and also located cellars in the city were the bottles had not been broken. Steinhagar was a German gin that was popular. We took part in football tournaments with the local lads and men. Some of the Germans that had been taken prisoner were employed by the British to work in the kitchens at our barracks. For a time we were in the SS barracks at Kiel.

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