Bob you are probably right that the "crew closeness " never leaves one as it is all too evident that if anyone does something wrong - we all pay the price.....and that usually means something nasty happens....so that has be avoided at all cost...and I agree with Brian that I don't even kill spiders - way too much killing going on these days.. Cheers
Hi Tom......All my old Vet mates have passed on, but I have to say that only those that have shared the cauldron of fire in action can really share that comradeship..... It seems to me that there is an invisablebond that ties the Veterans.A undefinable thing, but it is there.
Brian - I am reminded of the words of the Seaforth of Canada's Padre - watching the lads go up again - " the old timers with a faraway thoughtful look in their eyes and the young ones trying to hide their fears " There is a certain bond between those who have faced it - and survived which cannot be reproduced by those who haven't faced it....and hopefully they never have to Cheers
Tom and Brian: Just read your postings as I prepared to go to bed with a nightcap and my iPad. Strange but yet not strange, although we have never met yet the experience we 'shared' nearly a life- time ago binds us in a indefinable kinship and in my old age it is very pleasing to reach out to you both to share thoughts that are not 'shareable' with others. I was quietly thinking that 68 years ago this night I was three miles north of Geilenkirken, the Battalion positioned on the right of the line of the British Army linking up with the Americans as we defended the Heinsberg salient from penetration from a German attack. There I was a 23-year-old carrying responsibility as the Battalion's Intelligence Officer and now on German soil far from my small home town in Scotland, defending our selves from fighting patrols and attacks from Moaning Minnie's. Surely being born in that little Border town my birthright at that young age was to be with pals fishing the River Tweed, going for a drink and talking about Scottish Rugger and not stalking about in some 'foreign field'. However, in my heart of hearts, I would have hated myself if I had not been there beside my comrades to share in whatever we had to face. I am only halfway through my dram . . . I had better stop . . . !! Joe
Joe couldn't agree more as around this time in '44 I was recovering from surgery for wounds received some four months ago and thinking of the lads shivering in the mountains and hoping they had some food sent up for their Christmas as it was a very cold winter in Northern Italy whereas I was nice and toasty in a warm,clean bed away to the South in Sicily.....might join you with an 18 year old Glenfiddich... Cheers
This Is where I was at this time back 68 years ago. Even then I had another 8/9 months before I would get away from hospitals...And a great deal would happen inthose vital months Warwick. The Best and the Worst. One of the first men that I met in my ward, I had known in Normandy, he was just learning to walk again with an artificial leg when I arrived. The Gods of war deals some very odd hands at times. This man had been on patrol when he came face to face with the Enemy, the German let fly with an anti-tank weapon, (A Panzerfaust. Tank Killer) the projectile hit the corner of a farmhouse wall and showered him with shrapnel, he dived into a foxhole alongside of a burning haystack that promptly fell on top of him, getting out, he badly burned his hands. Now, badly injured, with burns to hands and face and lots of shrapnel wounds, he made his way back to get aid and trod on a schu mine blowing his foot off. While in that Hospital I received a very nice letter from an old pal in the company. Corporal Ford, who sent me a complete set of my company badges and insignia with the message "don't want you looking like a rookie, Brian" What a lovely thought from one who was in Hospital himself with double pneumonia, having taken a dip in the Rhine while forcing a crossing. I wrote back, but never heard anymore from "Ginger Ford" I do not know if he was invalided out of the army or if he returned to active service, try as I might I have never heard from him again. It's a great pity, I have not found more than a handful of my former company that made it through to the end. Not surprising really. Third British Infantry Division was the only unit to take part in all of the battles in North West Europe. While at the same time taking into consideration their very high casualty rate. If I may, I would like to add this. Veterans that have seen and felt action and fear are always immediately at ease in each others company, having only just met..I think that Tom may agree with that... I do miss the company of my dear departed vet friends
I was also wounded but not until the 25th January 1945 and was evacuated to a small hospital in Malvern in Worcestershire. There I did not know anyone but I soon found out there was a great camaraderie as those able to get out of bed and walk around would come and talk and the first guy told me when you are up you will need some corduroy trousers and I can get them without coupons: what's your size! I was very fortunate and it soften the blow when at the start of the War as an eighteen-year-old I was in a local Territorial battalion and knew nearly everyone in my rifle company having gone to school with them or knew their families. Later, as an officer, again served in another TA Battalion within the same Regiment, The Royal Scots. So in a sense I was always linked with men who were part of a very large family; a family my father had served with during the Great War. After the War, apart from maintaining close friendships, there were regular Regimental, Battalion and often Signals Platoon reunions. Even now I keep in contact with Veterans of these two Battalions but as none of them use the internet it is increasingly difficult and have to rely on telephone (less easy because of hearing problems [mine!] and also too many lads have in recent times had strokes affecting their speech). I deal with all the queries sent to the Regiment about the two War-time Battalions, and within the recent months have been dealing with the sons of four men seeking to know about their father's service. Out of hospital after repair of sharpnel wounds to left knee and right elbow, the War having ended was able to be posted back to Germany to finish my seven years with my old Battalion. Then followed the hard slog of re-starting a career. Regards, Joe
Having just met Brian at his home in Swanage on one of my trips to the UK in 2010 - the next three hours were spent laughing at some of the capers - and stupidities of Army life - it was hilarious - and his saintly wife Sheila nearly ran out of tea as she made endless cups for the two of us - unforgettable day - still laughing all the way back to Bournemouth to rejoin a conference Cheers
Hi Brian. As usual I'm last again, but must wish you and everyone else a Happy New Year. As a wireless op I tended to be a loner and didn't belong to any team, but like many vets I knew the terror of being stonked, sniped and bombed from aircraft. But when I was at work with the headphones on I didn't hear what was going on around me, so I had nothing to worry about! Oh, happy days. Keep well Brian. Cheers Jim
Great ! So let me wish all of our vets here a happy and healthy new year, and the same to all the members here that chatter away on these pages. One sincere wish.. That we all gather here at the same time next year.... Lovely talking to our old mates here. Keep well Jim. I dont care what any one says! Monty's Ironsides were the very best.. And proved it. Wonder what all those fine young men we left behind would make of their Country as it is today? Cheers Brian (Sapper)
Dont mean to intrude; but, happy new year to all of you and many more. thank you for sharing your very personal thoughts. Thank you. Happy new year Matt
