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Harry Reeves came to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Birmingham Public Space at the Mailbox to tell his story to a volunteer. He also talked about his experiences at Arnhem and Krefeld (see 'Explosion at Krefeld'). He accepts the terms and conditions of the website.

I was in the Royal Artillery working on search lights and anti-aircraft. I was called up along with 500 other brummies in July 1939, just after 21st birthday. I spent 3 months in the army & 6 months in reserve. When war broke out I stayed in the army for 6 years. Before the war, I was on one shilling a day. When WW2 broke out it went up to 2/- a day. I was demobbed in January ’46.

I trained in Devizes, Wiltshire. In January 1940 we were sent to France. At first it was quiet then all hell broke loose. After several hectic weeks assembled in woods about 5 miles out of Dunkirk we were told had to smash all equipment. I only kept my rifle. ’Cos I was a Lance Bombardier I had to take a Bren gun.

On May 30th 1940, we were evacuated from the mole straight away on a cross channel ferry called the ‘Maid of Orleans’. It was a southern rail ferry. Apparently after we were returned the ship was sunk. About 1000 got away on it.

When we were in the boat coming back from Dunkirk we were zigzagging. Some bloke shouted ‘I can see the White Cliffs’. We all rushed to the side of the boat. Someone then shouted ‘Get Back!’ We were nearly tipping the boat over!

I returned to Folkestone, still with my Bren gun and ammunition. We shoved it under a seat at Folkestone Railway Station. It was heavy to carry. We were put on a train to Woolwich in London. We stayed there until transferred to Aldershot.

After a short while we were transferred to North Wales. We passed through Birmingham in the blackout. In North Wales there didn’t seem to be a war on.

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