in his own words...... Sapper Billy Gorman

some of you may have read my thread trying to find out about my Grandfather, anyway I am going down the official route,

My mother has handed me his war medals and today some papers, which he had penned himself of his life.

he was in the Royal Engineers,

 

Simon, I downloaded and read your Grandfather's recollections - brilliant! What a character. Exactly the sort of accounts I like to see.
I am looking forward to further installments.

Mike

 

2nd installment...

 

Saved and read, Simon. Keep it coming!
How many pages in total?

Mike

 

70 odd pages, so a good few more to come.. shows more of his character and experiences than any official document...

 

Installment 3

 

Cheers Simon, about another 4 installments to come?
Getting very interesting!

 

page 30-39

 

Fascinating great story.

 

next installment

 

Excellent stuff!

 

Thanks for posting-I wonder what unit he went to France with and how they faired after the fighting started. Like he says he was lucky to miss out on the whole Dunkirk evacuation.

His service records should have his date of arrival and departure from France recorded in them.

 

Simon - are you leaving us in suspense?
I reckon I am waiting for about another 20 pages!

 

sorry been a bit busy...

 

part5

 

part6

 

final installment... I am reading this at home too.

 

Thanks for posting-I wonder what unit he went to France with and how they faired after the fighting started. Like he says he was lucky to miss out on the whole Dunkirk evacuation.

His service records should have his date of arrival and departure from France recorded in them.
Drew, there is more info contained in the recently uploaded pages, i am awaiting his death certificate to request his official papers...

but it goes a long way to explaining the medals i have.

 

Simon. Thank you for letting us read your Grandfathers story.
It has been a fascinating and riveting read. Not only with an insight of how life, was prewar, during the war and post war, but also how men like your grandfather coped with the hardships of war, and the courage and devotion that they fought with.

In my opinion once you have all the information you can find. You then approch a publisher or someone who knows how to turn this story into a good book.
With the stipulation that the main part of the story is your grandfathers manuscript as it is, nothing added or taken away,everything warts and all.
I believe everyone should have a chance to read this story, just to show what we really owe to men such as your grandfather.
Thanks again.

 

What I can work out from the various documents sent form MOD
Enlisted Territorial Army – 13th June 1940, aged 20yrs an 1 months, 5’5, and 118 lbs,
Army Form B102
RE ayo?
Engagement – TAW (territorial Army W?)
Trade Pioneer RE, Fitter AIII (03/03/43), Re-class Fitter AII (23/09/44)
Postings
13/06/40 – RE Constructional Companies Ctr, Chatham, Kent (Sapper)
64 sect RAOC (ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS)
Longtown, Carlisle, 05/02/41 – Trans Det COD (CENTRAL ORDNANCE DEPOT)
Trans Trg Ctr, Longtown, 01/03/43
Depot Wing TNTC 13/03/43
955 Rly W/shop Coy – 06/10/43 (WORKSHOP COMPANY)
927 Rly W/Shop Coy – 29/12/43
Redesignated 927 IWT Light aid Coy 05/01/44 (INLAND WATER TRANSPORT LIGHT AID COMPANY)
EMB UK - 03/06/44 (EMBARKATION)
XII list? - 17/04/45
XIII (53RHU) 26/04/45 (53RHU Bielefeld 1945?)
927 IWT/LA W/S coy – 29/04/45 (INLAND WATER TRANSPORT LIGHT AID WORKSHOP COMPANY)
XII List - 29/8/45
XList BAOR SOS BAOR to Y List (Hosp) – Injured (BRITISH ARMY ON THE RHINE)
On Evac to UK 05/10/45 (EVACUATED BACK TO UK)
Evac UK Ex NEW Y List (1) - 05/10/45
6R + ROBRE - 06/02/46 (R + ROB HQ WING ROYAL ENGINEERS)
Permanent staff
Posted to Y List 16 June 46,
Released to Class Z (T) Royal Army Reserve 27/08/46