War Veterans Visit

War Veterans visit

We were extremely honoured to have four WW2 veterans visit Year 6 last week and share their amazing wartime experiences with us.  It was a very moving and memorable occasion and the courage of these men and women cannot be underestimated.

The children listened intently as the each veteran gave an account of their war time experiences, flying in the RAF, fighting in the jungles of Burma, farming the land, and recalling what it was like to be a child during these difficult times.

Here are some excerpts from their accounts:

Geoffrey Wicks –Wartime child

‘I was in the front garden and heard a plane coming. As a 6 year old I was fascinated and then I realised it was a German bomber which was just going into a dive to attack – there was a big army camp not far away. My Uncle rushed into the garden and pulled me into the house to take shelter and the bomb fell about 100 yards away. It was great to go out afterwards and see the crater.’

Elsie Forse – Land Army

‘The Land Army really did what the name suggests – we farmed the land, growing and harvesting vegetables and potatoes as well as lots of other food to make sure that everyone in the country was able to eat.

We worked very hard for everyone left at home and had a lot of physical work to do as well – things like digging ditches which made your back ache and was very tiring.

But we felt very proud to have worked hard for our country, providing food and helping with the war effort at home.’

E W (Jimmy) James – RAF pilot

‘On 4^th September 1944, after successfully dive bombing a bridge near Rimini, two of us decided to strafe enemy positions near Cesena. We were running in low for the attack when my aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and burst into flames. I saw my aircraft crash and explode, just before my own landing in a lush green field, but unfortunately, in enemy territory. I was captured immediately.’

Gilroy Chandler – Infantry, Burma

‘We eventually reached Assam ending the journey on narrow gauge railway. I well remember seeing elephants carrying enormous loads with their trunks.

Much of the time we were crawling through tall, thick elephant grass. You couldn’t see ahead and never knew whether a Japanese creeping up on you would fire at you. To be frank we were in constant fear of our lives.

Sometimes the Japanese threw grenades. If one landed in a trench near you, you just had to grab it and throw it back before it exploded. Luckily for me I always did so but others were not always so fortunate.’