Sword Beach to Bremen., A Veterans tale. Sapper

Earlier I described our part in the Market Garden Operation. And the route. Escaut canal. Weert, Marheeze, Euvelwegen, Helmond Etc
Being this was a loop out to the east of the main thrust Northwards, it had its own character. One was the rumour that the road behind us had been cut, and our supplies cut.
With the result that we had to live on captured German rations……Bloody great big tins of herrings, similar in shape and size to the anti tank Teller mines. No cigarettes. No toilet paper to wipe out delicate little backsides… All we could get was captured German cigars, cabbage leaves surrounded by a cigar leaf….. YUK .We even tried home grown tobacco leaf we found and wrapped them in paper. Bloody hell fire, it nearly saw us off …..Deadly…
The grub was so bad that it even made our interminable Soup and Biscuits palatable…

After Mook, inden,and the surrounding areas, we set off for operation Aintree of sad memory…Having been wounded back in Normandy, I now had this naïve idea that fate had given me my share, and that now I was safe…. Idiot!

The war in Limburg was probably the worst yet, and my war was shortly to come to a violent and disastrous end.

I hope that you that have shown the patience to read these postings found it at least a little interesting.
sapper

 

Roll of Honour Corps of Royal Engineers. Third British Infantry Division.
Watson C.W. Captain Hermanville war cem
Johnson R.H L/Sgt Ranville cem
Herkes J Dvr Hermanville war cem
Rimes F.A L/Cpl Ditto
Brown R.H Sgt La Deliverande war cem
Doody A.Cpl Ditto
Horseley G.A Spr Hermanville war cem
Neads L.G L/Cpl La Deliverande war cem
Christian A.E.V M.I.A.
Hargreaves Spr La Deliverande war cem
Baker G.E Spr St Charles de Percy war cem
Burrage W.G.Sgt Bayeux war cem
Cooper O Spr Ditto
Harrison L .Spr Overloon war cem
Barnes V.J. Spr Mierlo war cem
Bickerton G.Spr Ditto
Ankin S. Spr Overloon war cem
Dapkus K Spr Ditto
Davies G.C Spr Mierlo war cem
Newland S. Spr Ditto
Sharp. J.H. Spr Ditto
Malster F Spr Ditto
Plaistowe G Spr Venraij war cem
Spark E. W. Leiut Aalten Gen cem (Berkenhove)
Sutton C.J. Spr Ditto.
Craven F.H.D. Lieut Hermanville war cem
Stout W Sgt Hermanville war cem
Bingham E.A.Dvr Ditto
O'Brien J.J. Spr La Deliverande war cem
Gafney G.F.T Spr Cambes en Plaine war cem
Waby J.H Spr M.I.A.
Read J.F Spr Hermanville war cem
Hussey A Spr La Deliverande war cem
Paris R.M. Sgt La Deliverande war cem
Armstrong F Spr Cambes en Plaine war cem
Connelly J Spr Ditto
Kerr P Spr Ditto
Farnell J.Spr Hermanville war cem
Faulks A.T. L./Cpl St Charles de Percy war cem
Fishwick A Spr Bayeux war cem
Hamilton J Spr St Charles de Percy war cem
Smaje F Dvr Ditto
Wilcockk W L/Cpl Ditto
Dobson G Spr Bayeux war cem
Leonard B L/Cpl UK 7686 Old Monkland cem Coatbridge Lanarkshire Scotland.
Edgeley F.Spr Overloon war cem
Broughton C.E L/Cpl Mierlo war cem
Rusell J Spr Overloon war cem
Owen R.E Spr Kleve war cem
Dixon E.L. Becklingen war cem
Allmark S Spr Kleve war cem
Tilley L Dvr Bayeux war cem 15Fld park co R.E.
Meaken H.O Dvr Brussels town cem 2 bridge platoon .R.E.
Biltcliffe D.L/Spr Hermanville war cem
Cox L.W.Spr Ditto
Gallagher T.E L/Cpl M.I.A.
Jenkinson G.H.Spr UK 6631 Walsal Bloxwich cem
Litchfield W. Spr Hermanville war cem
Wood E Spr Ditto
Dodd G.W.Spr Ditto
Mills W Dvr Ranville war cem
Eldesr A Spr la Deliverande war cem
Washington J.C. L/Cpl Hermanville war cem
Smith T. Spr Banneville la Campagne war cem
Davies J.H.Spr Mierlo war cem
Mathers W.M. Spr Maarheeze war cem (Old mate)
Barnard J.K Lieut Overloon war cem
Rees E.H. Sgt Ditto
Watts T.J. Sgt Ditto
Gallagher P. Sgt Brussels town cem
Steele R. Spr Kleeve war cem
Webster S Spr Ditto
Campbell R. Spr Ditto
Hamill P. Spr Ditto
Hepple T Spr Rheinberg war cem
Kyle H. L/Cpl Ditto
Little T.H.Spr Ditto
There are more casualties than those shown here for this company. 246 Field Company R. E. Unfortunately I have not been able to find them all. The list published here, was supplied by the War museum at Overloon, in Holland of all places!

Les Fleurs de Normandie.

On Norman soil, they fought and died.
Now young men's graves in rows abound.
In Mother Earth's arms, now sanctified,
The fragrant flowers of our youth are found.

And yet, to rise again, as in a distant song.
Small voices that call, in dead of night.
Fleeting figures only in our dreams belong.
Alas, they fade, in dawn's bright light.

I see them yet, a sad, forgotten throng.
Shadowed, lost faces, marching on.
Over dusty roads, and high golden corn.
The call of long lost friends are borne.

We must not forget, the flowers of our days,
Lest they lay unquiet, in numbered graves.
For we lived, and loved, and life was sweet.
Still yet, for us, awaits our last retreat.

Flowers of our youth, now long since past.
Our sweet autumn days are fading fast.
We, who are left, flowered in our prime.
Enjoyed golden moments, on borrowed time.

Remember our friends, who passed this way.
For all our tomorrow's, they gave their today's,
On Utah and Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold.
Oh! Dear Lord! See that they grow not old.

B.R.Guy. June. 1944 / 2004

 

Some of Sapper's mates, at rest in Overloon cemetery Holland.

 

Thank you so much. Sgt Rees was my platoon Sgt. One of those that perished when they lifted new mines in their hundreds and the whole lot blew. I had just left and was about 50 to 100 yards away when the explosion occurred.
Sppaer

 

My Grandfather was with 246 Fld Coy RE, I have a hand drawn map, which I have framed, with the names of some of the Officers and soldiers mentioned in this forum on it, specifically those decorated for bravery. I also have a few photos taken during training and later on in the War.

Ex Sapper

 

I would like to learn those names.Cheers

 

Hi Sapper

These are the names and ranks and awards mentioned on the map:

Maj D J Willison MC
Lt CHA Boyse MC
L/Cpl D Boulton MM
Spr R F Ellis MM
Cpl H Field MM
Cpl K E Haughins MM
Cpl R Turner MM
Cpl G F N Hall MM
Dvr J Hartley BEM
Lt A Heal DdG

Mention in Despatches

Maj N J Gell MC
Lt C H A Boyse
Sgt J G Davies
Sgt P Gallagher ( Died)
Spr J R Royle
Spr J Harrison

The map was drawn by L/Cpl Alexander Houston

I hope this helps.

 

Sorry, Lt A Heal should read CdG.

 

Thanks very much....Yes I knew all of them. Lt C H A Boyse was my platoon officer. (2 platoon, formerly Lt Digger Trench's platoon) Joined us later, came with the reputation of being one of the best young officers in the Third Div. He was the officer that informed me that I had been awarded the C In Cs commendation. (Monties Certificate) while we were harboured north of Venraij at a battered SS training camp for the Dutch youth.

The one that I am still waiting for.

I attended a memorial service at Studland church for Colonel Ferguson RE. He served in one of the D day assault companies RE.
There was a gathering at the Studland Hotel after, where all the RE big wigs attended. While in church (crowded) they found a chair for an elderly white haired old Gentleman in the aisle. He was suffering from Parkinson's or a similar affliction.

Later at the hotel reception the Chief Engineer asked me what company did you serve with. "246 Fd co RE" he then pointed out this white haired old fellow saying he was your officer! He was Lt Chas Boyse.... sadly there was very little communication between us So I never hot to ask "Why did I never get my commendation" I was totally unable to hold a conversation with him.... He was a fine officer when he commanded my Platoon.
My word how the world spins and circulates bringing back those times.
PS if that map was the route we followed across from Normandy? i have one here somewhere

 

Yes it says D Day to VE Day in the top right hand corner, with the RE Cap badge, and flashes in the bottom right hand corner. I am glad the names mean something to you. It is such a shame that that should happen to people. Would you have know my grandfather his name was Les Windsor from Cardiff.

 

Must have, but cannot recall afetr all these years
Bett wishes

 

Hi Gringo

Click on the link for 246 Field Company War Diary during 1944

246 Field Company, Royal Engineers War Diary 1944 - World War 2 Talk

Enjoy

 

Hi Drew

Thanks for the link, much appreciated.

Gringo

 

A little saddened to see so very few France and |Germany stars in the Cenotaph parade to day. Why I am surprised I don't know ..They are like me very old and frail now Bless them!

 

Sapper all of you were/are amazing and you have forever left your mark on history.

 

Hi CBIWV.
The whole perception of warfare has changed a great deal from the days when we were active. There is no difference in the bravery of our young men, they are as good... though probably better than their predecessors..... But what is seen as deeds of bravery now, were more commonplace many years ago. Carrying out deep penetration into enemy lines these days would probably win you a gallantry medal of some sort. Where in the days of 67 years ago much of what we did was commonplace.

That is no way detracts from the bravery and fortitude of our young men. I am sure that faced with the same situation, our youngsters would be as good as..... but a hell of a lot better than we were......

 

Have any of you watched this TV programme? I did where I could. Talk about being taken back to my youth...More than a little stressful as the scenes brought back memories.

I have been asked why I cannot forget.... Why I am not prepared to be friends with our former enemies.... That programme says it all. For the life of me I cannot forget the evil things they did When it was not necessary. The Camps. Orador sur glan. a thousand other atrocities........
So what did you think of the programme?

 

On freeview, or sky, the Yesterday channel is running a program "After The war was won"
This old buzzard will be there for all to see. Lord Help you!
Yesterday Channel Tuesday the 29th of November at 9 pm.

 

Brian,
I hope all is well with you, your posts are one of my first posts when I log on. You are missed.
John

 

Me too - hope you are well Sapper.

Did you appear on the Yesterday Channel?