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This contribution to WW2 People’s War was received by the Action Desk at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Norfolk. The story has been written and submitted to the website by Rosalie Davis Gibb (Volunteer Story Gatherer) with the full permission and on behalf of Thomas E Ginn.

At the end of the war I was able to use my Morse code skills on a Crusader tank equipped with wireless. At Cloushall in the Hertzberg Mountains we lived in barracks where Hitler Youth were trained. The view was fantastic — just like being in a plane with the clouds below us. On a clear day four different countries could be seen. One day an unusual experience occurred. As we approached Berlin from Hamburg the train stopped just outside the city. I popped my head out of the window to chat to a Russian soldier. When the train moved off with a bump my pipe fell out of my mouth, landing on the track. I can still see the smile on the Russian’s face when he put the pipe in his mouth.

On reaching Berlin we were allocated sleeping accommodation in the Olympic stadium. We walked through the Brandenburg Gate. Just through the gate was the Reichstag Chancellery. In front of that was the opening to the Bunker where Hitler spent his last hours. Just outside were a small cage and 5 petrol cans which I was told were used to burn the bodies of Hitler and Eva Braun. I wanted to enter the bunker but the Russians wouldn’t allow it. Sandbostel Stalac X B Prison was the worst experience. As we entered the camp the German guards were opening a large grave, from which they lined up the bodies on either side. The total number exceeded 2,000. They were prisoners who’d been shot and buried the day before. Thousands of prisoners were still walking around like skeletons. Eventually German civilians were made to parade through the camp. I was surprised to see genuine sorrow. They appeared not to have known what went on down the road from their village. Before we left a monument was erected to commemorate the 2,000 dead Russians which is probably still there today.

My final months in the Army began in barracks just outside Dortmund. Prior to VE Day celebrations I was one of 3 out of 40 soldiers selected to come back to England to attend the Victory Parade. We underwent a series of gruelling route marches and square bashing at Deepcut Barracks. We were supplied with brand new uniforms, apart from the boots, which were highly polished from my first day in the Army. About 33 of us were transported to Kensington Gardens. One day we were inspected by the Royal Family. The 2 princesses were dressed in khaki uniform. I remember marching through the West End, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and back down the Mall past the stage with the Royals and the Government, the black and white periscopes of the crowd and the welcoming rain in the unbearable heat.

It was the proudest moment of my life to represent the Royal Artillery.

After going through all that, in 2003 I got mugged by a youth who pulled a knife on me. I’m still having problems and that was 10.15pm on the 5th of April.

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