大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War Site by Joan Smith for Three Counties Action on behalf of Eileen and Denis O'Donoghue, and has been added to the site with their permission. The authors fully understand the site's terms and conditions.

At the start of the war Ted Goody, Eileen's brother, lived in London with his wife and baby daughter. He was in a reserved occupation but felt that this was a waste of time so he enlisted in the Gloucester Regiment and volunteered for the Commandos. Volunteering meant a demotion because he had to go back to basics, and he went to Scotland for training, which was tough. He was then sent to join Commandos based in Worthing, and on D-Day he left from Warsash in Hampshire.

They were due to land at 7.30am at Le Breche on the coast of France. Survivors have told us what happened. The landing craft took a direct hit, and out of 100 men only 8 survived. We heard about this only later, and there was great grief in the family.

At the time of the D-Day commemorations in 1984 we decided to go to France because Britanny Ferries were going to where the landing craft had been, to a place near the cemetery and the museum.

Quite by chance we met a survivor of that landing craft and were introduced to other former commandos and given a great welcome. Mass was said on the beach, and afterwards there was a reception. Later we heard from a sergeant who was on the landing craft - Jack Leach - who phoned us, and by chance he also lives in Dunstable. He had many stories about Ted, and he was one of the first to be invited to Gran's 100th birthday party.

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