The South Lanc's Soldier

MEMORIES OF D DAY
FROM A SOUTH LANC’S VETERAN (3RD Div)

The saying that takes me back on board ship waiting 10 miles offshore is:
ROYAL MARINES MAN YOUR CRAFT

ARMY PERSONNEL MAKE READY

Having previously refused a drink of thick dark rum as a clear head might be needed, and wishes of good luck, no one really spoke.
Then single file to the assault craft to be lowered into the water, to arrive on
Sword Beach 7.25am 6th June 1944.

RESULTING IN.

Shot in leg in battle for Caen, patched up in England and sent back via Holland.
Snowed and frozen in for 6 weeks during the battle of the Ardennes (Unwashed and next to no food).
Taken to Belgium to be cleaned up!!
Received shrapnel and blast wounds in Reichwald forest, patched up again and rejoined unit for the attack on Bremen.
2 weeks after the end of the war in Europe, was under 24 years of age, therefore sent to Palestine for 18 months.

Eventually left the army in October/November 1946

When my father eventually began to talk about the war, I began to understand why he did not like going into the sea on family holidays, but the determination he showed in the war again won through.
Eventually through going back to Normandy, he found it easier to talk about his experiences, and attended both the 50th and the 60th aniverseries of the D Day landings.

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