大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Alex Kane of CSV Scotland on behalf of Edwin Abrams and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was a member of the 52nd Lowland Division (Royal Signals) and I remember a few particular incidents which happened to me during the war. A couple were in 1944 when we my regiment was moving through Holland and Germany.

As we carried our advance into Europe, naturally we had to be fed, an army marching on its stomach and all that. This meant 鈥榣iberating鈥� foodstuffs along the way. Eggs were always sought after as they could be used in so many ways. In Holland we came across a chicken coop and were about to raid it when we realised it was sitting on large metal wheels. Somebody came up with the bright idea of hitching it up to one of our chuck wagons and towing it, thereby giving us a constant supply of eggs. This all went well until we had a night crossing over the River Mass. Silence was imperative as we knew there were German snipers about. Around 3am we started hearing a rumble, it got louder and louder. This started to cause consternation in the ranks as we realised it was coming from behind us. It was only when we heard the clucking of chickens that we realised it was our 鈥榣iberated鈥� chicken coop being towed down the cobbled street. Needless to say our superiors were not pleased and our mobile egg factory was soon disposed of.

Another time was when along with my C.O. I was given the task of setting up a radio observation post in an old church steeple tower as we prepared to cross the Waser. Unfortunately the Germans decided to have a few shots at the tower with 鈥�88鈥� shells and managed to hit it. Although we were unhurt we were trapped in the tower for a couple of days like a couple of sitting ducks, with the knowledge that the next hit could be our last. Luckily we managed to climb down the steeple and make our escape and rejoin the rest of our company.

I also remember serving alongside a fellow Royal Signal named Leo Charles Augusta Parsons. Apparently after the war he changed his name to Leo Charles Lynton Blair, known to most of us as Leo Blair, father of Tony, our current Prime Minister.

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