At the outset I was determined to try and trace some of the men who had served with my father. From them I should learn what he had experienced first-hand. I had already been amazed by reading the official History of the 15th Scottish Division by H G Macmillan, it was in these pages that I learnt that my father had been fighting with a spearhead division and the gunners (field regiments) had been singled out and mentioned several times for their speed accuracy and devotion when coming into action and saving so many comrades lives.
In his book ‘Lion Rampant’ – Robert Woolcombe – a Captain with the Infantry that my father’s guns were attached to, wrote that during the early fighting in Normandy. “Our gunners were magnificent, whether we could have stayed our ground but for our artillery is doubtful. Here was forged our bond with them as attack after attack was mounted, the deadly 25-pound howitzer guns poured out their deluges. The enemy, so close that us gunners were bringing down fire almost on top of their own infantry”.
I knew Dad had a special pal; a boxer named Percy Lewis. After Dad passed, we found a small piece of paper with an address on it. Did Percy still live there? I sent a letter, not long after he phoned me, and was delighted that I’d been in touch. It wasn’t long before we arranged a visit to Leominster, where I met Freddie Parsons, and Ted Eden, sadly another pal Dick Fletcher, had passed away the same year as Dad. This was a beginning, Percy had a list of old addresses, and I started writing to them all and sometimes I would receive a reply from
another old soldier, who also had a list of different names – and so it went on. Finally, I had letters arriving from about twenty different sources, some of them were happy to tell me about their experiences, others not so, but I built up a trusted friendship by post with some fourteen old soldiers who actually served with and remembered my father, all of them, generous in their praise of him and told me that he was modest and trustworthy, and a good friend.
Later a visit to Kent was arranged to meet Bill Smith and John May, who had served with Dad in the UK and to visit the family of Albert Smith, who had stood alongside Dad on the gun during the fighting! Another visit to the Isle of Wight to meet Bill Busby. Gradually over the years I built up a first-hand story of my Dad’s war-time service.
Of course, the passing years, sadly have seen the passing of all of these men whose stories had to be told.
4040189 L/Cpl Fred Parsons
Right: Fred pictured at home in Leominster in 1998. He was the Battery barber, a quiet unassuming man, he spent the war in one the most dangerous spots, in the Forward observation post as Bdr/Ack(assistant). After the war, he opened a hairdressers shop in Leominster.
Major ADG (Dudley) Shaw DSO
Right: at a reunion of the 44th Lowland Brigade in 1999 his medal group now complete with his *TEM LG 17.03.98.
DSO:39/45 Star: France/Germany Star: War Medal: Defence Medal: TEM: Croix de Guerre with gilt star. *Territorial Efficiency medal
A SOLDIER’S STORY
As a forward observation officer (FOO) Dudley Shaw and his team spent most of their time forward of the guns with the infantry, selecting targets for the gunners. As the Allies pushed further into Germany the Nazi fanatics were fighting hard. It was a quiet day and Dudley decided to move his team further forward on foot. Approaching an open field bordered by a tall hedge they detected traffic ahead. Not wishing to risk any more lives than necessary Dudley took the radio set off his Bdr.Ack (assistant) and approached the hedge by himself. Peering through the hedge he was shocked to see a company of the enemy forming up in the open having no idea they were so close to an artillery regiment. Calmly and quietly Dudley calculated co-ordinates for the guns, and radioded back calling for a ‘box barrage Mike’ this was a for plan for all guns in the battery. within less than ten minutes his orders were transferred into action and dozens of shells rained down on the helpless German troops. Later that day The Brigade received a request from the a German MO (medical officer) for a truce while they cleared up the dead and wounded. Dudley was a 22 year old Lieutenant at the time.
4040014 Percy Lewis
C Troop. A semi-professional boxer in civvy street he was a very popular member of the troop, and was more than happy to tell me about the battles they fought in. He also gave me many leads to contacting other old members of the troop.
Right: I visited Percy many times at his home in Leominster where he introduced me to Fred Parsons and Ted Eden who also served with 178 Bty. He was very excited and proud for my project, sadly he died in 1997 before my book was complete.
187117 Capt TJ (Tommy) Stokes
Tom became troop laeder B Troop 177 Bty when Capt Cory-Wright was killed on the first day in action 26.06.44. A Dunkirk and Territorial Veteran, enlisting into 5th Bn north Staffs Regt in 1939, and re-posted to 7th Bn King’s Own Royal Rifles which took him to France with the BEF. After his return from the beaches of Dunkirk, Tom took a commission and joined 6KSLI in May 1941. Electing to transfer the Royal Artillery he was posted to 177 Bty wounded in Normandy, he was evacuated back to the UK to recover and rejoined the Regiment before crossing the Rhine . Returning to civilian life and his work in Ophthalmics, he became a pioneer in the development of contact lenses. Very sadly Tom passed away in 2004. Aged 91.
A SOLDIERS STORY.
Every soldier who handled a Sten gun MK1 will tell you how tempramental they were, always going off when you didn’t want them to and jamming when you need them! On one occasion Tom was detailed forward with his observer team, as his Bdr.Ack jumped in the Bren carrier he slung his his Sten over his shoulder catching the side, the gun went off with a mighty bang, and sent a bullet whizzing past Tommy’s ear. “the closest shave I had” said Tom.
296171 Lt David Small
4040245 L/Sgt Ted Eden, C Troop 178 Bty
4030943 Captain W.M. ‘Bill’ Busby
Captain W.M. ‘Bill’ Busby. An Officer of the old school, the Busby name has a long tradition with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, starting with Bill’s Grandfather. Both of Bill’s brothers also served with regiment, and his father fought in the South African War, being the first KSLI, CSM to be awarded the MC. Bill joined the 2nd Btn as a boy 4030943 in 1929, his pre-war service took him to various postings here and overseas. He was commissioned Lt into the newly formed 6th Btn as weapons training officer in Nov. 1941 and promoted to Captain, though his stay lasted an eventful 12 months, covered in my book. Not wishing to become a gunner, Bill joined 25 volunteer Captains for service in the Middle East, serving with 3 QOA Ghurka Rifles.
Gnr John May C Troop 178 Bty
Right: pictured at the home of Bill Smith in Ramsgate when I visited them in 1998. Clearly visible, John lost his arm the day before the Regiment went into action 26.06.44. His gun on A sub was shelled, also wounded was Bdr. Dalton and Gnr Curtiss. There were three men killed at the same time, Sgt Gunn and Gnr’s Stan Wheaton and Ralph McMorland. They are buried in Brouay War Cemetry, on the site of their first action.
6353663 Gnr Bill Smith
Right: Bill Smith relaxed at his home in Ramsgate. The meeting I arranged between him, and John May was their first for ten years. John and he were close pals and got up too many adventures together.
4049392 L/Bdr Charles Ashton BHQ Troop 178 Bty
Right: Pictured at home in 1996. He contacted me after I put an advert in my local paper. I was amazed and thrilled to discover he only lived 5 minutes from home. He was my first contact, and I spent many hours with him. It became clear when talking to Charlie that he had many harrowing memories. He remembered my Father and was only too pleased to tell me about his adventures. Sadly, Charlie is another of my old warriors who has passed on, after a short illness he died in 1999, before my book was finished. He was a gentle unassuming man, like all my old soldiers.
113719 Gnr Charles Spence BHQ Troop 178 Bty
Right: Charlie relaxing at home in Kilmarnock (1996)
293403 Lt RF (Rod) Gow, Command Post Ack HQ 178 Bty
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from Rod in 2004, I thought it was his son talking to me! and imagine his surprise, as he had taken many of the photos he was looking at on my (original) website, 60 years previously. It was a pleasure to meet him, his memory was good, and he told me lots of interesting technical information, and adventures. Including a dramatic incident when they set up HQ in a house near Celle. Rod received a message to say that the Infantry were being sniped from the top story of the same house! Rod and his driver, Gnr Snooks dashed upstairs, smashed into a bedroom to be confronted by a youth pointing his Schmeisser at them, fortunately, Snooks was faster to the trigger and felled the youth with a burst of his Sten.
Left: He was posted to the 24th Field Regt RA, when he applied for a commission, and it was from 123 OCTU that 2nd Lt Gow joined 181 Field Regt in Pepperpot Lan Harrogate 27.09.43. He has written his own fascinating account of his time in the army, and it gives the reader an interesting and sometimes hilarious insight into the traditions and life of the army recruit.
Right: Rod relaxing at his home during my first visit in August 2004.
Major John Meredith MC. 6KSLI/181 field regiment
John relaxes in his local. Born and raised in Brecon, John was living and working in Whitchurch when he enlisted into the 6th Bn KSLI 26.07.40 number 4040591. His soldiering qualities were soon spotted, and he quickly rose through the ranks, taking a commission after only 4 months. He returned to 6 KSLI as 2/Lt serving in Y Coy. Eager for action, John was one of the eighteen Officers who elected to transfer to the Artillery, he was promoted to Captain 01.01.43 after attending the Artillery Officers training course at Catterick. By the time of the Invasion of France in June 1944 John was C Troop leader, 178 Bty. A highly respected Officer, he led his men by example. Twice wounded and twice decorated for his valour in action. Always at the front as observation Officer, his drivers, Charlie Ashton and Percy Lewis, spoke of his coolness and determination in a tight spot. His care for his men was illustrated at the end of the War when he organised fund raising for the next of kin of those men killed in action in Charlie Troop, accompanied by a personal letter to each of them. Sadly, John died in 1992 before I had chance to meet him. I was very pleased to visit his son, Bill, who kindly allowed me access to his father’s memorabilia.
Paying respects
Old Soldiers Never Die; Old Comrades come together to pay respects to one of their pals.
L-R George Cowan, Ted Eden, Fred Parsons and on the right is Percy Lewis. This was taken in 1992 at the funeral of Dick Fletcher.
On the right Ted Eden and sitting next to him is Percy Lewis taken at Ted’s home in 1996. both of these old soldiers have been on their last parade -Percy died In 1997 and Ted just a couple of years later.
Peter Kirk M.M. John Bramald Walter Temple
Old comrades re-union Catterick 1994
L-R. u/k Cp. Sgt. John Bramald. L.Cpl. Laycock. Sgt. Peter Kirk. Sig. Walter Temple.
Comrades in arms taking a well earned break, Catterick 1944.
During the war Sgt. Bramald was Capt. Julian Cory-Wrights personal signaller and he was with Cory-Wright when he was killed on the first day in action 26.06.1944. During my research I was contacted by Cory-Wright’s sister, who had dedicated many hours searching for Sgt. Bramald to get the ‘full story’ and to thank him. This is highlighted in an extract from one of her letters below. Sadly the connection, sent to me by Peter Kirk’s daughter – Wendy came too late, by which time all parties had passed away.
Guns and Bugles 