My Father joined the British Army in 1942 after losing his Mother and Sister to the German Bombing of London. He lied about his age and was accepted as his personnel records of birth were destroyed in the bombing. He was trained as a soldier and then as a specialist with pack animals and sent to Burma. He was in theatre for 6 months before the military discovered his age through county records. He was repatriated to England in time for his 17th Birthday and told not to even mention he had been in Burma. Apparently nobody wanted to admit they had sent a 16 year old to Burma, let alone the ramifications if the public found out.
Upon his return to England he began taking any course in which he could get out of barracks. Apparently your pay also went up with every qualification. He was trained as sniper, demolitions, driver, driver Ic, medic, crew commander, gunner, parachutist, army commando, and several other courses all listed in his paybook.
He took part in at least 1 cross channel raid on German radar installations that I am aware of as a demolitions expert.
He was floated around from unit to unit and finally attached semi permanent to the 43rd Wessex with the RASC. His older brother was a MP with the division and asked to have him attached to keep an eye on him as they say.
He took part in the Arnhem drop as a jump master. His aircraft was shot down and he did survive, though his chute did not open properly and he was disabled on landing. It was several days before he was found by the advancing British Forces. He recuperated in Holland after and still has contact with the Dutch family he was billeted with.
After the wars end he was the senior NCO at the British Stables at the Berlin Olympic Stadium for 4 years I believe.
He was demobbed in mid 1949, and then almost immediately remustered for Korea. He was attached with the 29th independent Infantry Brigade and set sail on the Empire Fowey for Korea, and arrived there in I believe December of 1950. Originally he was supposed to be part of the 26th Field Ambulance, but they were disbanded almost immediately and he was then made a crew commander of a Daimler Armoured Car and given convoy escort duties.
He was wounded 6 months later while escorting a convoy.
If anyone remembers my Dad I am sure he would like to hear from you. He is alive and well and living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
