| Wonderful bridge, did a few myself. Not nice while under heavy fire!.......In the British Sector the Third British Infantry was put in sole charge of preparing and organising the Rhine Crossings. ...A shocker! it was done in full view of the enemy on the far bank. There had been smoke, but it choked everyone, so they stopped it.
BY then I was back in the UK laying in a hospital bed encased in plaster from head to toes.... The LOT.
Crpl Ford My old Mucker took a dip into the Rhine on the crossing, He got out I don't know how many died in that instance?
Ginger Ford got double pneumonia, but still managed to collect a full set of uniform insignia, and sent them to me in hospital with the words:
"We don't want you to look like a rookie Brian"
Bless him. That was the last time I ever heard of Ginger Ford.......I tried many times to find him....Never did. So if nothing else! remember Cpl Ginger Ford of 246 Field Company RE.... 8th brigade. Monty's Ironsides. A quiet hero M.I.D.
As I have repeated ad nausea, before I was wounded I was awarded one of "Monty's Certificates" For service beyond the normal call of duty. I never got it and I am still waiting.... 63 years on.
That nineteen year old, laying in a complete body cast, with a spinal fracture amongst many other injuries, had only one thought in his mind. "When is the postman going to bring me my award" I looked everyday. it never came.
if I have one thing in my life, that needs to be put right? it is the final arrival of "Monty's Certificate" For one reason only: To at last put right the dreadful heart break, that badly wounded nineteen year veteran experienced, back in hospital 1944/5.
Sapper |