大象传媒

I was aged 19 yrs. I had completed my battle training on Salisbury Plain and was in Egypt where we were told we were moving on. It turned out to be Suda Bay on the Greek Island of Crete.Imediately prior to our move we were based in chalets in Dover.I remember a young man in the bed next to me,who had a photograph of his young bride on the orange box between us. I remember this particularly because a short while later whilst we were sheltering fron the heat and the shelling, he was shot and had both legs amputated. He died 3 days later from gangrene, aged just 19 yrs.
During the crossing to Crete we slept on tables as beds. When we walked off ship we felt like animals - covered in fleas and lice. We were promised good food if we returned to the ship with cleaning materials to disinfect the ship!!
I remember being on watch at the cross roads,whilst the rest went on patrol. I fell asleep with the heat and exhaustion and was awoken by the Sargeants return. He told me I was 'facing a charge of desertion in the face of duty' On one occasion I was hungry and had been told there was a restaurant on the hillside. I climbed up to the cafe and as I returned down I saw parachutes descending with different colours.I reported we were being invaded by the Germans. I was told not to be so silly as it was colour coded supplies arriving. It turned out that the Germans were landing at Canea and were being brought in by Junkers pulling gliders.
I sustained an injury whilst sheltering under a Matterdon, a military vehicle which took guns. A bullet splintered off a piece of metal from the lorry and embedded itself in my lower back. I was taken to sick bay with a pain in my back and the piece of metal was removed amd the wound packed with powdered penicillian. Many years later my son Jonathan told his friends to 'look at the hole in my Daddy's back'
I received 3 medals: African Star,Desert Medal,:1939-45 star medal awarded to every one serving during the war,:Crete medal sent with a commendation from the Greek Government.
When we were evacuated from the island we had to climb over the White Mountain as it was the only way out. It really was every man for himself. I met a shepherds daughter who showed me the route to take.During my time on Crete I met a man known as the Cretan runner. His shoes were made from bits of old tyres. He carried messages to the British Military about the situation until the island was occupied. Many many years later I returned to Crete and traced him and his family.
This story was submitted to the People's War site by Gillian Estall and has been added to the website on behalf of John Wilmot who fully understands the site's terms and conditions

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