My father was a gunner

My father was a bombadier with the 10th Medium Regiment of the Royal Artillary. In common with many soldiers who saw action during the second world war, he did not talk very much about his experiences. He enlisted on 30th May 1940 at Liverpool according to his Soldiers Service Book, although I . I have a card to show he joined the Royal Artillery Association on 14th December 1942 number 6471006. He was demobbed on 22nd February 1946 at Shorncliffe Barracks. His testimonial dated 6th Feb 1946 states "a first class man, loyal, full of initiatve and can be completely relied upon to carry out any duties given without supervision".

I have in my possession a hand drawn map produced by one of his colleagues showing the history of his regiment, showing the places of artillary engagement. This covers the period of the Normandy landings to the end of the war. They set out from London to Manvieux in France and then travelled through northern France via Rouen, LeHavre, Boulogne, Calais, Ghent in Belgium, Antwerp, Nijmegen in Holland, Dortlingen in Germany, Oldenburg, Hanover and completing in Bergen and Seesen.

He talked about a friend he made in Nijmegen called Marcel Damen, who I believe visited us at home after the war. An army colleague who I remember was Bill Barnes who lived near us in Finchley. As well as the map I have a collection of German black and white photographs which are 3D effect and viewed through a magnifying holder. These appear to be official photographs showing the German advancement through Europe up to the time of Dunkirk. They include photos of senior German ranking officers and one of Hitler arriving in Paris.

My father died in September 2000. I am his only daughter Joyce Wells nee Couzens

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