大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Katherine Wood of the 鈥楢ction Desk 鈥� Sheffield鈥� Team on behalf of Mr. Burditt, and has been added to the site with the author鈥檚 permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

In November 1944, we were pulled out of the front line, south of Florence in Italy. We were stripped of our guns, and our division was going to Greece, to try and avoid civil war because the Germans had pulled out of the Balkans. Half of our unit was being shipped over in L.C.I.鈥檚 (Landing Craft Infantry). Half were going on the troopship 鈥淓mpire Dace鈥� with our lorries. I was picked to go on the troopship; for some reason I wanted to go on the first ship, so my friend Lofty said. He did not mind changing with me. This we did, little realising the consequences this action would have. We landed safely at Missalonghi, opposite Patras. 鈥淓mpire Dace鈥� came two days later but on entering the harbour, she hit a mine. My pal Lofty, paid the supreme sacrifice and he lost his life. His name is on the Athens War Memorial: 鈥楢lexander George Alldis Gunner Royal Artillery鈥� who died 1st December 1944 aged 20. I can鈥檛 ever forget till the day I die, that my name could easily have been there instead.

Pr-BR

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