大象传媒

This story is submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a member of Market Harborough Branch, Royal British Legion on behalf of Fred Reed and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Reed fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

The Glorious First of June

In the year 1794 our regiment The Worcestershire's received a battle honour on June the first, commemorated each year by parades and sporting events, etc.
Burma 1945, our Battalion the 2nd Worc's was fighting its way up hilly country, being shelled constantly by guns which we could not pin point despite endless patrols to find them. Even with the help of the R.A.F. we were unable to find them. On reaching a point up the hills, about 15 miles from our objective, which was a place called Kalaw, we rested and were informed that the Gurkhas would be taking over from us. This was great to hear as it was always nice to see Johnny Gurkhas.
The C.O. came back from '0' groups to inform us that as tomorrow was June the first, we had been awarded the honour of taking Kalaw. As daybreak came and the heat of the sun became stronger we made our way. Our company, 'B' company, led off up the winding, twisting road towards Kalaw. I got posted to forward scout, anticipating with each step that something was going to happen. On turning a corner, I came across a large hole blown in the road, so I sent the message back and was told to hang on as they would be sending up the Madras Sappers and Miners to repair it.
When they arrived all hell broke loose; there we were caught in an ambush; there were just three of us caught around the corner. We made our way partly down the hill to get some sort of cover, looking for where the firing was coming from, but to no avail, and too much movement by us brought on more fire.
We spent the whole day there. Late afternoon we could hear a rumble of a tank. When the tank arrived the commander told us to make a dash for it and get behind the tank and he would escort us to safety. Unbeknown to us the wireless operator was the other side of the road having taken cover in the hole the Japs had blown. As the wireless operator got up to make a dash, a burst of gun fire caught him and he fell just as the tank twisted to turn around. His feet were caught under the tank tracks and so we dashed to pick him up and go behind the tank, but his feet were completely squashed, an unforgettable sight. Sadly, he died that night. On getting around the corner to safety there was the Brigadier and our C.O. saying, 鈥淕ood show, we will soon get you a hot meal and drink鈥�. (we had not eaten or drunk all day).
We were told to make our way up the hillside and dig in for the night. On getting to our position we were unable to dig in as we had no tools. Then I heard the Sergeant shouting, 鈥淗ughes and Reed down the bottom and fetch the food and drink鈥�. When we got to the bottom we were met by a lone jeep with a can of water, a large tin of bully and four packets of hard biscuits. So much for a hot meal. We had no way of opening the bully beef except with our bayonets. That night it was cold, very cold. In the daytime it was very hot but at certain times of the year the nights could be cold and that night it was. As our supplies did not keep up with us we were without blankets. We normally carried them in our big packs but this time they were to be brought up to us but they never arrived.
That was a day I wish to forget - but I cannot. There is every June to remind me.
THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE.

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