L/C Douglas John "Curly" Thompson
British Army 3rd Battalion 3 Company
from:London
My father joined the army in 1937/38. He guarded Windsor Castle. He was called up to active service in late 1940. He trained in Brigg, Oban,Castle Douglas.Posted in November 1942 to North Africa
Mobile artillery unit. Bazookas. He broke an ankle whilst retreating from German advance. On return to duty contracted dysentery and was given last rites. Survived!
Deployed to Italy. He fought up to and including Monte Cassino and was wounded in the neck. He always said he was put at the front as he was ambidextrous and could therefore fire rifles around both corners.
He hated Americans and blamed them for getting pinned down in Monte Cassino. There was an incident where a lot of his company were killed. He felt responsible. He called it Green Hill. Hated the entrnched views of commaning officers who would not let him go and give aid to injured soldiers trapped on hill. He did anyway.
He had a breakdown and was transfered to psychiatric hospital in Birmingham.
He flew in an areoplane and saw volcano erupt on his way back to England.
After he recovered he retrained as a dispatch rider until the end of the war.
We have his letters that he wrote to my mother from 1941 till 1946.
