246954 WO. James "Moffat" Ramsay British Army from:Glasgow My father James Ramsay was called up at the beginning of the war. He had to report to Govan Town hall. He was an apprentice mechanic, at that time an apprentice lasted 7 years.
They were marched in a column to Buchannan Street Station, loaded onto a train for a 14 hour journey to Fort George. A place he hated. He then joined the BEF in France. I am not sure if he fought alongside the French armour not.
He told me that an officer came to where they were and told them that Dunkirk was over that the French had or were surrendering and they were on their own. The officer then drove off. My dad and his comrades then made their way eventually to Cherborg, I think using dad's mechanical knowledge. Dad was on the last boat out of Cherborg.
He tells of not paying for the cinema or buying a drink. A story I have also heard from other Dunkirk rearguard. He spent some of his time fixing cars for officers and locals. He was spotted by his boss from Glasgow and told about REME. He transfer to Spennymore where I think he finished his apprenticeship. He ended being an articifer going round home guard in the N.E. England.
I am not sure when but he was sent to Italy something he didn't talk about. He was at Casino. He did say there about Indian soldiers getting caught in daylight and the only cover being their own dead comrades.
He was eventually discharged from Naples, a place he hated.
He found his medals when clearing his mother's house after her death, he
had never applied for them.
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