大象传媒

I Registered in June 1939 for the "Militia",the new training scheme where militia men on reaching 20 years of age would Serve six months in the Forces.
At that time I worked in the engineering department of Brynhall Colliery and thought the change and experience would be interesting. However, WW2 was Declared and my six months training lasted for six and a half years.

During the harsh winter of January/February 1940 I went to Newbury Race Course to Join the 5th Battalion and then sailed to Cherbourg in France on the night of 14th March on the Isle of Man Steamer "Ben Mi Cree"
I served with the Lancashire Fusiliers,(Bren Carrier Platoon) part of The BEF in France and was Evacuated From the beaches at Bray Dunes on 31st May 1940 in The Mine Sweeper HMS Halcyon and landed at Dover.

From there by train to Bristol, (East Ville Park) before returning to rejoin my Battalion in County Durham.

With the exception of my rifle and of course my AB 64 all my equipment had been lost in France.

From the camp outside Co.Durham we did a night march of 38 miles to MATFEN HALL, Matfen, about 16 miles from Newcastle We were under canvas.
Our days consisted of training to intercept German Paratroops.
We received two new Bren Carriers and the platoon moved to Great Wittington about two miles away for a few weeks before moving again to Northallerton in Youkshire. Four of us were sent to Newcastle Station to collect two more Bren Carriers but on our retun on the same day, the rest of the platoon except for a small rearguard had been sent down to Newbury in Berkshire and we followed by road on a very eventful journey. On arrival we were billited under the Stand on the race course instead of the stables.as on our first visit.

Our Division 9The 42nd East Lancs) was changed from Infantry to a Tank Div an we became the 108 Royal Armoured CorpsEventually the Div was disbanded and all personnel transferred to other Units. I sailed to the Port of Algiers before going to Italy and later joined the 3rd Kings Own Hussars Tank Regiment.
In January 1945 we were sent to Lebanon Syria and Palestine before being returned to England for Demob from Aldershot on 27th February 1946 in group 26.