War - Cumbrian Soldier at war in Algiers against Rommel then Italy

Soldier at war Algiers Rommel Italy oral history video

Started in Home Guard, guarding Thirlmere lake, one rifle one bullet for 2 nights a week, then trained in drill hall by WW1 sergeant. Then joined up in Royal Corps of Signals, trained in Wales. Devon Plymouth in big air raids, then moved to Scotland preparing for overseas. Then North Africa, Tunis grand march past, then Italy Taranto landings, Adriatic side of Italy. First Christmas in olive grove with chicken nearly ready for Christmas but … Venice Florence Rome top of Vesuvius. Never in a bed for three years, finally in Austria at the end of the war, in a bed, but too comfortable and could not sleep!

This oral history was recorded for the Voices of Cumbria Millennium Project in 2000 commissioned by Cumbria Archives and was illustrated by Peter Nicholson using various images from various collections in Cumbria. Please re-use freely.