大象传媒

This Story is submitted by a volunteer on behalf of Radio Bristol Action Desk at City of Bristol College.

Called up when 18 in 1942. Firstly with RA and because of exceptional rifle shooting skill, was then attached to 4th commando.

Boarded Landing Craft from Portsmouth on afternoon of 4th June 1944. Headed for France but recalled because invasion was delayed 24 hours. Returned to Isle of Wight evening of 5th June, collected another 24 hour pack of rations, but not allowed ashore. Set out for France the afternoon of 5th June. Reasonably rested by sleeping on each other's shoulders. Arrived off Sword Beach at Dawn. As I approached the beach, 'it was a mixture of thrill and fear', thrill of knowing that you were going to finish it (the war), and the fear of the unknown. It is an emotion that I have never experienced again in my life. Ramps were lowered and I jumped in up to my knees, some up to their waists and even deeper. I was holding a rifle with front pouches of grenades, 2 bandoliers of 303 bullets, lightish pack with 24 hour ration the size of a Turkish Delight box, water bottle, spare shirt, pants and socks, and housewife,. We ran to get off the beach as fast as we could they were shooting when we got near the shore, but when the ramp went down they scattered. We reached the village of Ouisteram quite soon and ran into heavy defence. They had a cannon in the casino and we were pinned down. There was nothing we could do except to wait for our tanks................

(At this point Phil was too emotional to continue and said 'This is it, I can't go on'. We shook hands and he left.

(Contrubutor's details removed by moderator)

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