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"This story was submitted to the site by the 大象传媒's Peoples War Team in the East Midlands with Agnes Muggletons permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions."

My husband Herbert Muggleton joined the army in 1928 and served seven years in India and Cyprus. He was on reserve when the war broke out and had his calling up papers just before the war was declared. We had been married then about two years and I had a baby girl nine months and just realised I was expecting another baby. Herbert went to France as soon as war was declared. He had leave the following March and while he was home our second baby was born. Herbert went to Shildon and Scotland, from there they sailed to Norway, I never heard or saw anything again for weeks, but we did hear on the radio that the 8th Battalion Sherwood Forester were almost wiped out. So with a very sad heart I waited and waited then a telegram arrived. I hardly dared open it; but my fear soon turned to joy as it said 鈥渟afe and well, hoping to see you soon鈥�. Herbert didn鈥檛 discuss the war much, but we were told every man looked after himself. Eventually he got a ship back to Scotland. He said that there had been terrible loss in Norway and many people were taken prisoner. Later he went to North Africa near the end of the conflict there. He was very badly burned on his arms, legs and chest. After being very ill in North Africa he was eventually brought to England to spend months having skin grafts etc for the burns. That was the end of his army life; he was discharged as 鈥榰nfit for service鈥�. The war taught us to 鈥渃ount our blessings. We later went back to Norway for a holiday and really thought the scenery was fantastic. Sadly Herbert passed away thirteen years ago aged 81. We had a very happy 54 years of marriage.

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