Hi all, I have just got back from an afternoon that will remain in my thoughts always. A few weeks ago my wifes Auntie came round to visit and one conversation led to another like they do and we got chatting about history and WW2 etc...etc...she then said that her Dad was in WW2 but did not know much more, she suggested that I should meet him one Sunday for a cup tea, a cake and a chat (very civilised here in the North). To cut a long story short today was that Sunday. I turned up with my tape recorder, my computer and a bucket nerves (never interviewed anyone before). I was introduced to Jack and within that split second all my nerves had vanished, I guess the warm smile and kind eyes made me feel so welcome that I felt I had met someone I had known for years. For the next three hours we sat and chatted and chatted and chatted and the time...well the time flew. It started with his time in Dunkirk in the 11th Brigade (4th Division), then upto Scotland for training for Operation Tourch as part of the 78th Division, the landings at Algeria, the race to Tunis and all the places on the way Longstop Hill, Djebel Ang, Tangouccha and Heidous to name but a few. From there it was on to Siciliy and Italy...Sangro River, Cassino, Rome, Gothic Line, Ferrara the list of places went on, then onto Austria all the time bits more were coming back to him while he was looking at the maps that I had taken round, at one stage he removed his glasses and wiped his eyes, I could'nt help but think have I touched on something that he would rather forget about. He then got out his papers and photo's. There were photo's that looked liked they had been in a fire...they had his truck had been hit by German artillery but he managed to go back later to retrive his wallet, there were secret road movement orders, 78th Division broadcasts, call up papers, demob books, passes...I could go on and on. Jack served with the 662 Armoured Troops Workshop REME his job was to go out at night in a Scammel truck with three others and retrive knocked out tanks etc... A motorbike would turn up with map references and off they would go into the night never knowing what they might come across, if they could not be retrived then they would strip the parts and then clear them from the roads. There was so much to take in and I am sure I'll be going through my notes for a couple of weeks to come. I would recommend anyone who knows of someone who served during WW2 to have a chat with these remarkable people I guarantee you'll cherish the experience forever...because I know I will. Its Jack's 85th Birthday tomorrow so a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me. (Attached a picture of Jack) Sorry if I bored anyone but I had to tell somone. Regards Kieron
Great stuff. I look forward to the story. Remember the REME's motto, "This looks complicated...I'd better get a bigger hammer."