大象传媒

This contribution to WW2 People鈥檚 War was received by the Action Desk at 大象传媒 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 Alan C Downward.

I was in the TA so was 鈥榗alled up鈥� on the 3rd September 1939. Our equipment consisted of 1914-1918 6鈥� guns with solid wheels plus ex-brewery lorries and private cars. I trained as a Gun Artificer at Colchester, but then followed my brake as Motor Engineer to the SGT in charge of all transport.

During our time in England we were adopted by the people of Amersham. They left addresses at the cricket club for us to go for a bath and supper. Bless them. I left England in 1941 for the Middle East via Durban, where we stayed for 3 weeks and were well looked after.

We arrived in Egypt, again short of equipment and had to tow 4 vehicles from the Ordnance Department. We asked for spares but were told there were none to be had. So I had to 鈥榝ind鈥� what I needed. All my vehicles were driven into action. We went 鈥榯o the line鈥� with about 25 rifles, 2 Bren and 1 Bren gun carrier for about 200 men. We talked of having the equivalent of 鈥楤ow and Arrows鈥�. I had nothing but found a German rifle which I got working.

I was taken POW in Tobruk in 1942 then on a hospital ship to Italy. I taught myself watch repairing, which was good cover for making compasses and we made a wall clock from tins. I made collars for Officers鈥� shirts and as food was short ate orange peel from their dustbins. I was then taken to Germany and tried to escape en route but with no luck. I then went into hospital in Germany. Then to a camp infirmary where Commanders who were in the Dieppe raid were handcuffed, but I soon found keys had been made to unlock them, so with a guard on the door things were better. We had a vaulting horse, tunnels and escape plans. Had we been caught with the small radio crystal sets we would have been severely punished.

During the winter of 1944/45 we were marched 80K from near the Polish border to Gorlitz with snow up to our thighs, snow for water and swede to eat. Some died and many suffered with frostbite, losing fingers, toes and heels. I arrived with a fever so the next step was by cattle truck. We were strafed by our own side and several were killed in the truck.

We were the first released by Monty, amazed by the tanks and equipment compared to our 鈥楤ow and Arrows鈥�.

I was flown to Oxford and on the way to Amersham the trucks stopped at a small village. Ladies and children took our addresses and cabled for us. The sound of those ladies and children was so beautiful after that time away. The thought still brings tears to my eyes.

After 8 weeks leave, on to full training for the Far East, which was unfair as we were neither fit nor well. Plus I was reduced by a rank as I had been a POW. How unfair can you get?

Most of all, great thanks to the Red Cross for medical and food parcels. Without these some of us would not have returned.

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