大象传媒

My childhood wartime residence was in the Hamble estuary village of Warsash, a small Solent harbour, well placed for operational activities, which were a great fascination to a small boy.

HMS Tormentor tested secret weaponry at the end of the road, a reserve airfield was established just across the river Hamble and the army set up coastal defences around about.

The Luftwaffe, and later, "doodlebugs" overflew, and occasionally - special treat - an M.E. 109 made a low level visit.

Shrapnel and empty cartridge cases, including the odd "live", etc., could be gleaned and traded at school with other avid collectors.

On or about the 3rd June 1944, our who1e road was sealed off.
Exit and entry was by special pass only and sentries were posted, backed up with barbed wire.

Numbers of Landing Craft Infantry (L.C.I.s) began to assemble noisily in the Hamble estuary.

The next day Commandos of 1st Special Service brigade (destined for D-Day Sword beach) de-trucked and crowded into our road, prior to spending the night in tents erected in a nearby shoreline field, ready for L.C.I. embarkation at Warsash dock.

In previous such troop activities I had noticed how soldiers had often picked flowers for caps or buttonholes and even florally decorated their tanks, trucks and motorcycles.

As our garden boasted a large bush of white heather in full bloom at the time, I stood by our gate and proffered the sprigs of blossom to the passing Commandos. It was well received.

鈥淲hat flower is this?鈥� I was asked. In reply I said it was white heather, which brings good luck. "Good Luck he exclaimed, "By God I鈥檒l be needing that, pass me a bunch please.

Word passed quickly.

Then followed a general breaking of ranks jostling Commandos crowded round for their white heather. Every sprig and leaf above-ground was eagerly and appreciatively taken, as though it were a revered talisman.

The road became congested, traffic came to a standstill.

Up comes a sergeant - "What鈥檚 all this? 鈥� move along now" he said pleasantly; then aside to me, "Any white heather left?" "Only the roots" I replied.

"That鈥檒l do, lets have those then" he requested.

The next day there was the constant drone and rumble of L.C.I.鈥檚 embarking Commandos and departing for their RV positions in the Solent, white ensigns flying.

At dawn on the 6th June 1944, Sword Beach in Normandy presented considerable obstacles to the allied forces' D-Day landing.

The L.C.I.s with their Commandos formed part of the first assault on the beaches that day.

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