大象传媒

This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Storygatherer Robin. D. Bailey on behalf of author Victor 'Donald' Delves. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.

The Regimental Padre, Joe Bown, used to preach at the Wesley Chapel in Redruth and when he heard that someone else in the regiment came from Redruth, he looked up my details, found that I used to drive a large truck for an auctioneer in Green Lane.

He came to me and asked "Would you like to drive me to Rome?" Naturally, I jumped at the chance. Apparently, the Padre had to go to see one of the Cardinals at the Vatican.

It took a day and a half to get to Rome from where we were stationed. The Padre went into the Vatican and was gone for several hours, and I was left to have a good look around.

I went inside St. Peter's and had a look at the treasures and jewels and couldn't believe the number of statues on the pillars.

I was told I could go the the top of the Dome. When I got to the top, it was like a dream - I could see for miles.

It was something I would never forget.

The recent death of Pope John Paul II, when the TV kept showing the Vatican, prompted me to find the picture taken of me aged 21, standing in front of the Dome and I felt as though I had stepped back 60 years in time.

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