The Day I Saved His Life

When I was called up on the 15th January 1940, we did Infantry training at Strensald Thees, we went up to Iceland for 2 ½ years and one thing sticks in my mind, when I saved a pal of mine’s life. His name was Dick Rigby, he was Commanding Officer’s driver from Wakefield; a smart lad, but he never could swim. He would jump in the water if he though he could stand up. Well the baths open air dropped to 15ft at one end and Dick did not know. I was standing at the side, I was a good swimmer but not very fast and he was going down for the third time when I looked and his hair was just showing a bit. I pulled him out by his hair and when he came around he said “I shall tell the Commanding Officers that you have saved my life Tye.” I said “Don’t tell anybody.” I wonder if he’s still living in Wakefield. Then another time, when we were in Normandy, they sent ma and another three lads to a cross road where the German’s had blown all the roads up, so transport couldn’t get through. We had to see if they had put down any mines.

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