March the 2nd 1945.

The company ran into a very heavily mined area and had to make a clear track for the tanks of the 6th Guards armoured Brigade South of Kervenheim. Under fire and still losing tanks to deep buried mines. Then the battle started in earnest. At first everything went well. 11th Armoured div made good progress on left while we ran into schu mines with one of our officers losing his legs and we suffered casualties.

This took us through to the third of March. Meanwhile, back in England I had been to Salisbury Hospital, where I was discharged into civilian care. I found myself outside the hospital gates many miles away from my home. I could only walk with crutches, and then only with great difficulty, I had a “Caliper” fixed to my boots that took the weight on my groin. With my spinal injuries I was in a great deal of pain and I looked just like a concentration camp victim.

How I got home, I shall never know. I made my way by an almost none existent public transport of buses and trains, and it took me many hours. So much for the returning hero’s! One of my most abiding memories is just how bad we were treated, for it was becoming very obvious that we were nothing but a blasted nuisance. That was made even more plain and obvious, when we attended medical boards, to review the percentage of our war disabilities.

My first medical board was in a dingy little room with a bit of threadbare carpet on the floor, and a chair with the backing that was held together with string. Behind the desk was a very unpleasant young clerk who snapped out “Papers” and then virtually threw them back at me. The next thing, Oh dear! I must admit to losing my temper, for I leaned over his desk and picked him up by the front of his shirt until he was two feet off the ground and screamed in his face “call me Sir! you bastard, or I will rip your head off and stuff it up your backside” This had the immediate effect of restoring his manners! I seldom lose my temper, for whatever happens, we all feel a bit stupid after. This time? I felt a whole lot better! One thing is for sure, I bet that clerk was much more polite when handling other Veterans.
Sapper Brian.
The next episode;the drive to Winnekendink and beyond.