What war is like
.. continued from our Christmas edition
The mine story, well at that time we were following Jerry up see, which is different to static, advancing along the road in single file. We came to a place where Jerry had blown it up, made a big crater, went down and up again OK. A bit further on blowed again. I was in the leading section, we got down OK when bang the Signaller just behind us had trod on the first. Why neither of us didn’t is a miracle to this day. The corporal leading started to skirt around us to get at the wireless, he trod on another. Boy it was deadly and pitch-dark. Well something had to be done so we decided to try and get them out of the crater and back onto the road, so four of us got the signaller onto a gas cape and started keeping as best we could to the narrow track we’d come down. We went OK until we got right to the top on the edge of the road when it happened. The fellows eased to the side to let us get past and one of them my old pal Pat Browning trod on another. It didn’t put me out Syd but it numbed me all over, knocked me flat on my face. God knows what thoughts went through my head the next few minutes, I didn’t know if I still had any feet or not, I could feel blood trickling down my back and arm.
The signaller was moaning, he’d copped another lot, another fellow, only a lad he was, he just said simply “I’m blind fellows, I’m no good now”, Browny said “my two feet have gone lads”. Another fellow got it in the face. There was eight of us altogether wounded. In the meantime a bloke from the rear had got back to our HQ and they phoned for the Pioneers to come and locate the mines and get us out. I’ve since heard that the signaller, Corporal and the lad died Syd. But Browny still lives with one leg and half a foot off, that’s guts if you like, for four hours he lay there before they could get to him and do you know what he had done, covered himself with a gas cape. They tell me that the Pioneers lifted another 20 odd mines from that track.
As you already know I was lucky Syd, my pack took a lot of the blast, it was riddled, and the screw that went in my back just missed my spine, so now here I am back again. It’s OK I’ve wished once or twice myself that it had been a Blighty one, then I’ve shuddered at the thoughts of being without a leg or arm or maimed in any way for life. I want to be able to look after my wife and baby, but God knows, sometimes I think no sacrifice would be too great to get back to them to live happily and in no fear of death. I’ve had some narrow escapes but I’m still kicking and with God’s help I’ll come through.
That’s all I can say, what is to be will be, nor can we alter it. Don’t dwell on anything I’ve told you Syd, and well I know you won’t let on to Mother or Sal that I’ve been in, nor that I’m going again. By the time you get this I shall be looking forward to coming out again anyway. I’m glad the nipper is OK and thanks for your consideration of me. Write again soon as can won’t you? Letters are such a help and keep them cheeful like you have done up to now, they are a real treat. Mike is something to look at now, gee I bet he is. I got mother’s photo today taken when he was 4 months, and Sally is in the little home now. So all that’s missing is me, won’t be long now though, can’t be can it, at least that’s what I like to think. Well cheerio for now Syddy and remember what I’ve told you is TABOO OK?
All the best for now and keep your neck oiled, has Freddy Barker landed home yet?
Remember me to him.
Be seeing you, Reg.
Have you any more personal stories about the war? Please contact us on 01952 278001 or email us: parish@madeley.org.uk
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