Monday, March 4, 2013

MEMORIES FROM A DISTANT PAST

Today my other half said "I just realised it is 65 years ago today that I joined the British Army."  Wow!  That made me realise that we are indeed getting on in years and have had many adventures but this one of MOH's was a big one.

He of course joined up to begin his two year's national service.  Remember that this was in 1947, just two years after the end of World War 2.  MOH spent 15 months in Germany as part of the occupation forces over there.  He was stationed in Luneberg which is historic because it was on a hill just south of that town that Field Marshall Montgomery took the German surrender.

Unlike many towns in Germany, Luneberg escaped unscathed so none of its historic buildings were damaged although many had fallen into disrepair over the years.  Although the town itself was intact MOH witnessed many refugees and displaced persons, many of whom had escaped from the Russian occupied zone.

From what MOH tells me he was much saddened by the things he saw while in Germany with people virtually willing to sell themselves to obtain food and even cigarettes.  As a young country lad of 18 who had lived through the Coventry blitz he was seeing the other side of the war.  England had not been invaded and they were therefore able to get on with reasonably normal lives regardless of being bombed, having rationing etc.

He had some good mates among the other soldiers and has told me some great and often quite funny tales of different things that happened to them while in barracks and out on patrol.  Perhaps I may be able to repeat some of those stories occasionally here on this blog.

The regiment he was with was the Royal Scots Greys but fortunately he didn't have to wear a kilt as he reckons he just doesn't have the knees for that type of outfit and I think he could be right.

6 comments:

  1. Most of the stories you hear are about the war years...it will be interesting to hear some stories 'post' war to see how it affected people.

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    1. I will have to get him talking more so I can get those stories correct. Some are of his army experiences out in the field and some of his mates in the army. Will see what I can do.

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  2. mybabyjohn/Delores it right. I would love to hear these stories. Please?

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    1. Sorry to be a little late replying but it's been a busy few days. I will definitely try and put a few of those stories together if I possibly can. It's a pity I can't get MOH to do it himself (he can type) but he just hates computers and also dislikes talking about himself. A 'retiring violet"? No, just doesn't like being the centre of attention.

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  3. Post war Germany is something I know nothing about. Neither of my parents ever talked about it to us kids, I guess it was too terrible and they thought we didn't need to know. My dad did mention that he flew a plane and got shot down, but he was known to stretch the truth a lot (does he lie? like a railway sleeper...)so we never really knew.

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  4. As said in previous replies above I will see what I can do and try and dig up some distant memories from himself. I do know that anything MOH says would be very truthful so no worries in that regard.

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