大象传媒

My father, who passed away many years ago, was very reluctant to talk about his war experiences. I wish I had listened to what he did tell me more carefully as the details of the story I am about to tell are not complete.

My father joined the Army - Royal Artillery - in 1934 as a boy soldier. Employment was not easy to come by and his father pushed him , a reluctant volunteer, to join up, probably with his best interests at heart. Dad became a bugler and was nicknamed 'badge' for all his service.

As a serving soldier he was no doubt amongst the first to go to France in 1939. However, I assume he was left behind to delay the German advance and did not make it to Dunkirk.

He told me that he ended up at a small village on the French Coast called St Valerie. He and a group of other soldiers - there could have been as many as nine - obtained a rowing boat at the village and set off to cross the English Channel. They were at sea for more than a week before being picked up by a ship which must have been heading for England. The condition of each of the men was not very good and I believe it took my Dad some time to recover. I don't know any more but I would like to,learn more about his escape.

I do know that he was a member of 23rd Field Regiment Royal Artillery, but I don't believe all of the members of the rowing boat were RA men.

Later in the war Dad served in Italy near Monte Casino. I think he had a very frightening time there. He was the driver of an officer who spent much of his time collecting flower specimens whilst the war raged on. Dad said he often took cover under the jeep that he drove.

If any one knows more about any part of this story I would love to hear about it. Also where I might get more information about my Dad's service.

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