Hi All, I got back yesterday from my visit to Manchester with members of the Eighth Army Veterans association with memories that will remain with me forever. I had been invited to attend their meeting were I would be able to ask members about their experiences, I was not to be disappointed. I had made contact with the Association through Fred Hirst the editor of the Manchester Veteran a quarterly newsletter, which is distributed to veterans all over the UK and abroad. They meet at a local British Legion Club, but before that I would go to meet Fred at his home for a bite to eat and a chinwag about his WW2 experiences. We arrived at Fred’s home at around 10.30am as arranged and were made so welcome. As we sat down talking you couldn’t help but gaze around at the many pictures and certificates hanging from his walls, one in particular caught my eye that read “Army POW Escape Club” from this I knew I’d just met someone special (I’ll comeback to Fred later). We ate our sandwiches and set of for the Legion Club, on our arrival I was introduced to its members. The meeting was started with the last post and the lowering of the standards in honour of their falling comrades in the field, a very moving moment which brought a lump to my throat. As I sat down and listened to their chairman go over his notes from their previous meeting you could feel the true comradeship that is still present amongst this band of brothers (and sisters), as I sat there I looked around at their faces and couldn’t help but feel humbled to be sitting in their presence. After the meeting I had a chance to talk to some of the members. One in particular was a Royal Engineer who was clearing minefields at El Alamein prior to push forward by the tanks and infantry on the 23rd October 1942. I sat and listened to this mans remarkable story, but I just wish that I’d had more time, he said as he pushed forward clearing the mines he turned around at the moment the 882 gun bombardment started, he said it was just like one big wall flames rising from the ground and the ground shook. Other members included REME, Royal Artillery, Wrens, ATS, RASC and Sherwood Foresters (Fred), there were more but time was not on my side and I didn’t get the chance to talk to them all, which was a real shame. I have been invited up again so hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to speak to them again. Back to Fred a remarkable 83year old man to whom I could sit a listen to until the cows came home, I never had the honour of meeting my Granddad but if I could model him on someone…it would be Fred. Here is a very brief account of Fred, he Landed in Algeria with the 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters on the 3rd Jan 1942 and spent the next 2 months at the front line around Sedjenane and Tamera, he was then taken a prisoner of war in Tunisia and sent to PG 78 & PG82 an Italian POW camp, he escaped twice and was recaptured twice. Then on the 1st May 1945 he was woken by shouts of “The Yanks are here”. From here he was sent home for a while before returning to Germany with the British Army of The Rhine (B.A.O.R.). Fred now lives near Macclesfield where he is editor of the Manchester Veteran, he is a member of the Eighth Army, Sherwood Foresters and Army POW Escape Associations, he gives talks at local schools, colleges and museums, gives interviews to various media groups and has written a book called “A Green Hill Far Away” by an infantry soldier Private Fred Hirst. Fred is truly a remarkable man and is a great believer in sharing his experiences with younger generations. We all go through life and meet people that have a positive lasting effect on our lives I have met such a person in Fred. Regards Kieron
, i wrote to a member of the eigth army verterans im constanly asking him questions about what he did in the war and i carnt send him eought letters . i v always wantd to go and meet them but its too far away . i envy you !!!
