Award MiD Cpl. W.G. Siggery, 14 Army Field Workshop, RAOC (France, 1940)

brithm · Jan 15, 2023

Award Distinguished Conduct Medal/ Mentioned in Despatches Cpl. William George Siggery, 14 Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Statement of Cpl. SIGGERY, R.A.O.C. No. 7588214, in Queen Elizabeth…Westminster Hospital, with bullet wound in shoulder.

Interviewed by F/Lt. A.J. Evans on 3.6.40

Went to France in January with 14th Army Field Workshop and was stationed at CARVIN, outside LILLE. C.C. of workshop was Colonel PRESTAGE. The advance of the Germans at that date unknown caused workshop to pack up and go to ST. OMER. Left CARVIN on the Sunday and were at ST. OMER about three days. They saw Germans with German tanks all round them and stayed in a wood just outside. ST. OMER was shelled fairly heavily. They left ST. OMER was shelled fairly heavily. They left ST. OMER 4 a.m. packed up in lorries; reached a small place about six miles away and took cover in a big house. German tanks again all round during afternoon. French officer attached to them was killed and they had one killed and two wounded. They threw away and destroyed all their stores and equipment and started off again in lorries. Anti-tank gun destroyed the first lorry so they got out and made for the woods. His Section stayed together. They were surrounded by Germans. He raised his rifle to shoot and was shot himself through the shoulder, taken prisoner, wound dressed and take to a railway station with the rest of his Section, unwounded. Eventually they were picked up by a captured French ambulance and taken back to the same village. Several French wounded also were later taken in a German ambulance. Could not see where he was going and after half an hour, they reached a barn in a small village. His wound was syringed but not dressed – received cup of coffee. Food very scare. Noticed that the German rations were extremely small and all were very hungry.

Was sent off, unaccompanied by sentry, with several French wounded and took the opportunity of jumping over a high hedge. Met a Belgian who sheltered him in a farm house and gave him civilian clothes and a large sack so that he looked like a refugee and showed him the way towards Dunkirk. Germans were all round. Next day, he marched towards DUNKIRK German cars and tanks were continually passing him on the read. Got to a place where an Infantry fight was going on, the Germans on his right apparently attacking the French who were holding a canal. Appeared impossible to get pass to here so he set out for CALAIS. Germans in all directions going towards CALAIS, yet large quantities of refugees streaming out of CALAIS so turned back again with these refugees and reached place where he had seen the battle on the canal. Waiting till nightfall, he crawled to the canal and waited for his opportunity for there were masses of Germans about. He swam the canal and three Germans stood on the bank apparently watching him as he crossed but they did not shoot and got into French hands. French gave him new trousers, shirt and clothes etc and finally took him, with other French wounded by ambulance to DUNKIRK hospital.

REMARKS.

Cpl. SIGGERY appeared an excellent fellow – not the least reason…for believing he was not telling the exact truth.

He did not see any shooting of refugees nor brutality by the Germans and saw several civilian wounded being attended to by them.

He did not appear to have any information of military value.

His wife was with him when I arrived at the Hospital.
Click to expand...

WO 373/60/313

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Award MiD Cpl. W.G. Siggery, 14 Army Field Workshop, RAOC (France, 1940)

brithm Senior Member

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Award MiD Cpl. W.G. Siggery, 14 Army Field Workshop, RAOC (France, 1940)

brithm Senior Member

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