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The excerpts from Regimental Sergeant Major Charles Broderick were selected and put onto this web site by Judith Harridge.
14th May 1940
Moved to a place near Waterloo, fortifications being made, all on toes. Germans reported to have broken through. Route via Tournice, Hal, Ath. MG from air, Bn. steady.
15th May
All the boys supplied with Amo, HQ in mill, found a ham so the Col. and I had eggs and ham, arriving at Waterloo at 5:30 a.m. All on toes, information bad.
16th May
There is an uncertainty in the air, orders are poor and no one seems to know what is happening. Bombing. MG.
17th May
Withdrew to Ath, town vacated and had been bombed. Women and children had been MG. Very bad sight. Casualties start. Stayed at Herfeliagen. Parachutes. MT for transport. Did rearguard action. Choas with MT, lost one MT.
18th May
Took up position on side of the Albert Canal, took boats down to D. Coy. OCD very bad news. Visited positions could see Germans, more casualties. Steve hit, was near him, got off. Germans shelling. Mill HQ lost water cart and man.
19th May
Withdrew to Blenharries. Has to go and find the Ammunition. Bad show, did it during the night. Heavy shelling, got back at 5:30 a.m. tired, issued mortar ammo. had a wash then visited remains of coys. Steve wounded. Enemy reached canal.
n/19-20 May
Quiet night at Blenharries. Enemy reached Canal bank at about M/day. Enemy driven back carriers motar fire HQ standing to, Montgomery retires.
21st May
Lively activity, Thorne like a bear with a sore head. Everyone getting jumpy. No RAF or ARTY support, vey few enemy but heavy fire. B Coy in contact. 43rd Bayonet charge, re-take position.
22nd May
Things are not pleasant and we are in a tight corner. Ammo issued, job to get a feed. We have had a lot of casualties in B Echelon. Withdrew from Blenharries nearly got caught listening to radio, heard Arras Amiens had fallen.
23rd May
Withdrew to Lameon under heavy fire made for Cassel, held blockhouses on French-Belgian frontier, hell of a time this. Coys not bringing SAA with them. HQ in Pill Box, French 75. French take over, to Beauvery Nord. Bn HQ in village, food scarce, Blugne attacked.
24th May
Told going to Calais, got prepared, went out of village via Pontamahon, Lille, Armeliers, Buaill arrived in Cassel about 6 a.m. ARTy covering our withdrawal, enemy close.
25th May
Arty arrrive, fire a few rds then not seen again. Germans bringing up tanks, we have not tanks, B Echelon visited Coys all prepared, but no support.
26th May
Rather a quiet day, boys making the most of it. German planes over MG positions. No AA guns. Weather warm, went to Bde for ammmo. No mortor, rations short.
27th May
Bde send up all SAA. I have this on charge, stored at top of hill, in cellars of cafe. B coy HQ lot of casualties. D Coy in action 1 mile from Cassel. Coy withdrew to near Glosters. Bombing attack very heavy.
28th May
Found some pigs, killed them and started making bread, it is hard to feed. Dudgeon comes to the rescue. Thorn and I visit all positions. D coy . moved in and forgot SAA take mord down. Nony is wounded D Coy cut up.
29th May
The position under heavy pressure, getting out of theis will be 100-1 chance. Men not warned of the situation, tried to move out of Cassel by night, carried Snipers Rifles, 200 rds, grenades. Route very bad, I suppose no one knew anything. Bad show, Major Thorne killed.
30th May
At about 5:30 a.m. found ourselves surrounded by tank, put up a fight but was hopeless, our boys were mown down, eventually it was hopeless. Albert Lynham was lying with me. I had a good shot and realised that we were finished. Went roundjthe field after surrender gave brandy to wounded. Fleming Coy also Bailey Harris killed. Left 30 on ground. Was taken to Church, searched and taken on the way to Germany in lorries. Felt very low. Marched 15 kilos to St. Omer.

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