W/Bdr Walter Kimberley
British Army 68th Med.Regt. Royal Artillery
from:Plumstead, S.E. London
My father, Walter Kimberley embarked from the UK arriving in Egypt on the 18th March 1941. He trained on 25 pounders and on the 17th December 1940 traveled across the Middle East onto the Western Desert. On 18th March 1941 they moved to Greece until 27th April 1941, the next day moved to Crete until 30th May 1941 when they moved to Egypt ending up at Tobruk when the 68th medium Regiment was lost. He became a Prisoner of War transiting through P.G.87 and P.G.66 before ending up at P.G.78 Sulmona, Italy.
In September 1943 evacuation of the prison camp became imminent on the fall of the Italian government and soon after the camp guards left their posts enabling 100s of prisoners to escape. My father, together with one other, managed to find his way back through enemy lines to make contact with the allies. He was then shipped back to the UK arriving on 10th November 1943.
While fighting outside a town in North Africa a photo was taken of his gun crew in action. Probably for an army publication. This is now a prized possession. He also, although poorly educated, kept a note book of his experiences while on the run from the Germans after escaping. Even drawing pictures of hiding places.
Sadly he died aged only 64 before I was able to spend time with him during a retirement he never reached.
He did say that the war was surprisingly a great time in his life.
