大象传媒

War Memories (Joe Dand)
By billymulvaney

My War Service(D>O>B 28/06/1918) Joe Dand (written by B Mulvaney for J Dand.

August 1939 I joined the local TA unit (Place P)In Mather Avenue Liverpool.

For a while we kept busy on guard around the local Post Office,as the IRA were active.Later War broke out and we joined three more TA units from other areas and formed a Engineering regiment. I packed my case and was sent out to (1939)France. We had no weapons and never had any training.I was in the bridge pontoon section and my job was to repair damaged bridges etc.We were billited with a french family,were i was billited there was a barber shop and our only weapons at this stage was a pick axe handle. Later we were given American Rifles and five rounds of ammunition. we spent some time visiting the old battle sites at Vinny Ridge etc.
One day while unloading some machinery the load slipped and caught my shoulder, I ended up in a military hospital( in Arros).
When I was discharged I found that my Unit had moved right up to the Belgian border,Why I dont know, on my way to join them, I was told that the Germans had cut them off, what happened to them I never found out !!!!.
I was put with another Group and given a Anti Tank gun and shown how to use it I fired it in practice and must have shoot back as fast as the bullet had left the gun. It was some time before i could hear anything. The following day I was put on a Bridge with another chap and five rounds of ammo, they had fifty yards penetration for the bullet to enter the tank.

There were swarms of refugees crossing,we had to dive under the bridge for protection as the German planes were diving down and firing at these people(wholesale Murder) later on Tank and army wagon(British) came over the bridge stopped and took up position.Then an officer came up to me and said who put you here with that( Pointing to my Anti Tank gun)and said take that bolt out and leave it and get in that wagon I replied I will have to see PHL Sargent when he comes.He said "dont be silly I bet hes at dunkirk by now". I got in the wagon there was about thirteen soldiers in it and on the way back we had to dive out as jerry was spotted going to make an attack,that was at a place called (Aurrville). we left the wagon and walked back.
We got help from the French people but they were unhappy that we were leaving.I slept in ditches for protection and scrounging food from other soldiers.This went on for two days .We were all trying to get to the coast.the last order I was given, was your on your own every man for himself,travel lite.There was nobody in charge they were more concerned about themselves!!!.Finally I did meet up with a Scotish chap he said whats your Ka time! I said nothing and he dissapeared,and came back with some French food were he got it I did not ask.He stuck with me till we got to dunkirk. It wasnt safe on the beach owing to the dive bombers. There was no protection, I never saw a English plane were the RAF were i do not no !!!!.when we got on the beach there were bodies everywhere,we were stepping over hundreds of bodies. WE were making our way to someone with a small boat out at sea as I was getting onboard gerry came ,I was caught and suffered shrapnel damage to my rear,and was carried on to the boat by my scottish friend.

Finally arriving at Dover i was carried off,checked and put in a Army Ambulance and taken to dover infirmary and had treatment to my,rear and leg I still had my army clothes on which I had been wearing for over a month, they had to cut and tear them off along with some of my skin it was very painfull.I had forgotton how many times I had dirtied my self in the past couple of weeks.I was discharged within a week to make room for others. I was sent home by Taxi,on arriving home there was a banner across Albert road(liverpool) saying Welcome Home Joe Back From DUNKIRK.!!!!!!!!!!
mum was overjoyed to see me as she had recieved Two Telegrams from the war office one to say I was missing in action and another to say i was in Hospital.

THE DAY I MET DAVID NIVEN
After I left hospital I was given a new rigout,underclothes,battledress,hat,socks and boots.
When dad came home from working on the docks I took him and my brother to the pub across the road. I thanked the landlady for sending me cigs while I was in France. All my friends gathered round, it was great to be home. I only drank half a pint of shandy,by home time I had to carry dad home. It was a great feeling to be home again after the nightmare I had in France especially Dunkirk.

I was just settling down when I got a letter to return. I recieved a train pass to margate, and was told I would be transfered to a new regiment(THE ROYAL ARTILLERY) I was to be picked up at the station and taken to my new unit,the day after I set off saying cherio to friends and family (Dad had gone to work) and off I went. I changed at Liverpool Street Station for the Margate train. When I finally arrived in Margate there was nobody there to pick me up, so I went to the station buffett and had a cuppa. A officer arrived and called my name,shook my hand and welcomed me to his unit,I looked at him and said you look like that film star,He said I am David Niven. He said I know a bit about what you have been through,a nasty time in France,also losing your unit.
We finally arrived in Margate,I was dropped off in house and was told this is your billet. I was put in with a Mick Farley. The following day I had to report to the training centre and join my new unit. I was given a Tommy Gun and trained how to use it.
We later had real training with mock battles,plus gun drills.I was breach loader on the 25 pounder guns,we also had guard and patrol duties in specially built trucks with twin machine guns in case of air attacks.we were there two months when suddenly we were told to pack our kit and loaded on a wagon and taken to Southampton,it was all hush hush!!!.I was told not to tell my family. At Southampton we boarded troop ships and as soon as our guns were loaded and support etc; we set sail.
We were all given hammocks then each day we were given a lecture by David Niven,on what to expect and what we would find at our destination, we were about a week at sea with other ships and escorted by battle ships and planes overhead.We continued our journey.

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