A raw recruit lands on Juno beach on 6th June

To set the scene: it was R.A.F. Tangmere, in preparation for a likely invasion, the date being a well known secret.

"Any volunteers for an exercise to Thorny Island?"
"Yes" As a young lad I was first in the queue. Little did one know that it was more than an exercise.

Being briefed and allocated a Diamond T. Recovery truck with two other fitters, we were instructed to join the rest of the Ground Staff Personnel for the convoy destination of Old Saram(Salisbury) for transport and equipment waterproofing.

Waterproofing completed, we were issued with French Francs, then the convoy proceeded to the South Coast to park in a field at Havant and in streets at Saram and Gosport.

It was the end of May/beginning of June and we knew Invasion was soon. First the loading procedure on an American type L.S.T., then to the English Channel, with ships congregating in a rendevous called Picadilly Circus, awaiting the word GO!

The orders were for D-Day landing on 5th of June but because of the weather conditions they were delayed until 6th June.

We found ourselves aboard a Landing Craft awaiting further orders. The Canadian Padre held a Church Service and in his prayer were words that will always be remembered;
"Some of you may die for others to live" and then a Hymn; " Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee"
Did that not tell us something!!!

The time came, Ships, Landing Crafts and Bombers overhead.
The start of the unknown:
Landing Crafts making their way to the allocated beaches of Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Arromanches and also crafts towing concrete blocks for the Mulberry Harbour.

Due to queueing, our time of landing was afternoon. The weather was fearsome, we were open targets to all shell fire and aircraft overhead. On the beach, it was dreadful. Tensions had built through our crafts following lanes that were cleared of mines and worst of all seeing casualties being attended.

Under fire, the aim of reaching Beny sur Mer was halted several times, for lorry repairs and removing waterproofing. It was late evening, on reaching Beny sur Mer we were instructed to dig in and take cover under the threat of German shells from a German bunker in the wooded area around us.

Early morning and the bunkers were cleared and prisoners taken. One in particular I spoke to, in his broken English, left us under no illusion what he thought of this Scottish airman. His language had much to be desired!

With very little rest, it was time to establish a Transport Repair section as much of the transport needed repair. As for the rest of the Advance Party, engineers proceeded with establishing a temporary air strip.

Our mechanical skills were crucial. With the advance of the Front Line fighting force, as they were liberating Caen, our air power of Spitfires needed to be operational as soon as possible.

The airfield was operational on the 16th June, only 10 days after we landed. The plaque which now stands to commemorate the event notes this achievement.

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