The story of John Bullar's WW2

This is the WW2 story from my father - John Bullar - who died in July 2000 - this was told to my brother (also a John) who wrote it all down,

MEDALS
Star of France 1939/43
Germany Stars 1939/43
Defence Medal 1939/43
War Medal 1939/45

Royal Army Service Corps 1939
Trained at Aldershot, vehicles and tanks at Hounslow, Middlesex.
War started and King George visited the troops.
Sent to St. Azzaire, France on 12 September.
Troops were told to sleep under lorries, causing a few deaths.

Moved north to Cambrai, then in September 39 to Arras and in April 40 to Duet.
All hell broke loose in April/May
Was sent on despatch to HQ at ??, journey south for day and a half, took in a football match in Paris on the way!
In northern France was knocked off bike by something and broke foot, woke up in a ditch. Taken to No1 Cat. Clearing Station Hospital. Posh officer (Walla Walla) told them to move out but where to was the question.
The troops had to travel to the Belgium coast on foot. Pinched a motorbike at this point due to injured foot and drove to Dunkirk.
Just south of Dunkirk was stopped and told to abandon all vehicles and wreck them.
Had to walk 5 miles across the sands. The Stuka bombers were coming in droves.
The men had to wait for 2 days on the beaches, wading up to the neck in the water, queues were miles long, all weapons had to be left behind due to weight.
Order came to march into Dunkirk where 2 days were spent on the Boefers guns firing repeatedly (foot operated trigger)
Sat on the sea front firing.
They then closed in on the Mole (Jetty) at Dunkirk surrounded by the dead and dying.
Slowly moved along to the boats and got on board HMS ??? (destroyer) and sailed across to Dover.
Landed, handed in petty cash statement and got £2 for it!

Issued with a home card at Dover, travelled by train to Reading then Gloucester and on to Hereford. Reported to the hospital and went home for 6 days before being found!

Then ordered to Chesterfield.
From here to Northern Ireland, Klandiby, County Down next to Newtownards. Billeted at Lady Helens Tower of Lord Craigaven, there for 31/2 years
Built airport in Belfast, extinguishing fires caused by incendiary devices and had Thyroid removed whilst there.
Had leave to Hereford, once in 3 years!
Transferred back to England for exercises and manoeuvres. Stationed at Hull and took part in the East of England mock war.
Spent a month in Croydon before D-Day commenced. East Anglia was mostly an army zone, all civilians were moved out as every unit moved out from this area. Lots of V1’s and V2’s came across. Fighters tried to shoot the V1’s down the V2’s were too fast and silent.
Shipped across on D+10 just south of Caen at Gold/Juno beaches. The vehicles were all waterproofed, every conceivable orifice was bunged, still a lot of them sank or became waterlogged. JB had charge of a group of vehicles. Moved out in open order, the fields were all bathed in sun, everything was crystal clear. The first night was spent hiding from enemy aircraft. The next morning an officer instructed JB to transport 12 lorries loaded up with Amatol high explosive. The lorries were loaded, each crate had been packed with straw and packed between wads of straw. All 12 vehicles had to be take across no-mans land in broad daylight. The convoy kept 50yds apart in case of explosion and were fired upon by everyone especially the Americans.
Arrived with trucks amongst bombing etc and shiny clean officer asked if the men could unload the trucks. JB refused order stating that this was a specialist job, the ROAC should do this. It took 3 days to unload!

Caen was attacked terribly, all watched from a distance, the whole city was ablaze with droves of bombers moving over.

Ordered to move north asap, the German army was in rabble with no clear orders and no authority. Moved into Belgium and Von Runstead put a stop to the advance of the British at Arnham and Nimeca.

After Arnham were bussed to a camp of Nissan huts and had Xmas dinner (1944). Railway warrants were handed out and took one for Land’s End for 2 weeks of wandering about, ending in Kiethley.

Kiethley was all civilians and police at the railway station went to see the Station master and signed the book and went to the police station to sign in. The police asked where JB was going and replied ‘No idea’. Saw one resplendent arm officer, saluted and then walked into town and entered Boots the chemist. The girl behind the counter said ‘We don’t sell them sir’!!

Went to the YMCA for food and then back to the police station to find out where to billet. Was told to go to the old dance hall/swimming pool. The pool had to be covered with boards and JB booked people in and made sure all was OK etc.

Kept head down for a while, meanwhile met Mum.

Whilst in Ilkely a thought it would be a good idea to get on the move as the rest had gone on to Liverpool and stole a motorcycle (AJW) and rode to the docks. Found the ship 4 days later and left, everyone thought JB was AWOL!

Ship was sailing to Benghazi for Alexandria.

Went ashore normally (not swimming) and met a lot of people who were old friends etc. Was told the t they were all going to Sweetwater Canal which stank. Camped on the filthy lakeside for a week. Officer asked if JB could drive, showed him the A1 licence and the officer asked what it meant! Was told to drive the tank transporter.

Ordered to drive to Camp at Sphinx (not certain which one!) and met a bunch of men from Hereford where was told we want you to go to Tabrook.

Caught the Cairo train to the end of the line, some 50 miles then on by lorry down the Durhah cliff on which was written ‘Some Chicken’ in response to the Germans remarks about wringing the chickens neck.

The desert was grey, miserable, dry, arid, filthy, ugly yet turned to beauty at the Larden Quattro depression. All sorts of animals were there. Travelled on past Tobrook.

Benghazi was an obstacle, was ordered to report to 77 BPTU (Petrol Transport Division) and went to the camp office. MP booked JB in and told him where he was and that he was to take charge of a Signalise force ( Shalom). They were all colours and filthy. Didn’t believe such filth could exist!

English officer by the name of Hughs said he was pleased to see JB and that he was off ‘It’s all yours’ he said.

There were 250 troops and 25 British ranks and were to drive the bulk petrol trucks. JB handled the admin (pay, discipline etc) One of the Signalise went berserk with a sten gun, shooting at the others in a room, had to shoot him in the thigh to stop him. Was on a Court Marshal for this incident!

Was this where the billet got burned down and the Boar war rifles that shot round corners happened??

First night unpacked Palisade and stuffed with straw in the corner. The officers and NCO’s went to the club and played cardinal Puff (all drink to the health of…) Woke up a week later!

The vehicles were not properly rotated or looked after, after going to Hellfire Pass was given some German prisoners to look after. One happened to be a Chef who could work wonders with a tin of soup. Party’s were organised and a charge made for entry! Eventually the prisoners left.

The MPs took over the operation due to HQ not accepting JB signature for supplies due to rank, even though was ordered to do this job.

In February 1946 was sent home and the demob centre gave JB a suit and some money (£90 for 2 years service) Went to Ilkley, visited the post office to find the employment officer. Got job in the Harrogate Civil Service in May 1946.

No test was required due to good reports etc, started on pay of £4 17’ 6” per week as a TC3 for a 54 or 56 hour week. (skinning and registering?)
9am to 7.30pm Monday to Thursday
9am to 4 pm Friday
9am to 12.30pm Saturday

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