My father died nearly 7 years ago. He was quite reticent to talk about his active service in the field, Dunkirk and Normandy but often spoke warmly about his comrades and the happier times they shared.
Sadly, sitting with my Dad to record the detail was something I always promised to do, and I greatly regret not having taken the time to do so.
I now know that he joined the 1st Battalion East Lancs in 1933, was in the SAAR for the Plebiscite in 1934 and served in Belgium and France before evacuation from Dunkirk, late on the 2nd of June.
When he returned he moved into the 8th Battalion that later became the 144RGT of the RAC. Spending time at Sandhurst he transferred to 5th BTN East Lancs in April 1944, but prior to D-Day was moved to 32 Regimental Holding Unit, so I am a little in the dark what regiment he was with when injured in August 1944
If anyone has information on the East Lancs or 32 RHU please contact me, I would love to contact anyone who knew him during his life in the army, from 1933 (East Lancs) to the time he was injured (somewhere in Normandy possibly with the DLI in 1944)
Stephen
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