大象传媒

BORN IN 1932, I WAS SEVEN WHEN THE WAR STARTED. WE LIVED IN FORMBY, BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND SOUTHPORT. MY FATHER WAS IN THE RESERVE AND VOLUNTEERED IMMEDIATELY REPORTING TO FULWOOD BARRACKS, PRESTON, AS A 2LT. IN THE 7TH LOYALS. I REMEMBER HIM GOING AWAY IN HIS UNIFORM, AND I WAS SO UPSET THAT HE TOOK ME TO SCHOOL TO SAY GOODBYE. FROM THEN ON I FOLLOWED HIS WAR SERVICE CLOSELY. I REMEMBER D-DAY AND REFUSED TO GO TO STAY WITH A FRIEND AS ARRANGED BECAUSE I WAS SURE THAT HE WAS INVOLVED. I WAS RIGHT, BUT HE DID NOT LAND UNTIL ABOUT D+5. FROM THAT TIME UNTIL AFTER THE END OF THE WAR HE KEPT A DIARY RECOUNTING HIS EXPERIENCE AS OC SECOND ARMY DEFENCE COMPANY. MOST STRIKING ACCOUNT WAS THAT OF WITNESSING HIMMLER'S SUICIDE AND BURYING THE BODY. AGAIN I SENSED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED AND TOGETHER WITH THE DIARY, STILL HAVE A LETTER I SENT TO HIM ASKING FOR SOUVENIRS. HE RECEIVED THE MBE, AT THE END OF HOSTILLITIES, FOR HIS SERVICES.