test-carousel [jig lightbox=carousel ids=”408,407,406,405,404″]On entering the surgery room the M.O. specialist asked, “How you feeling L/BDR. Uggles?” “A bit dopey, Sir.” Then he switched on the operating lights. The glare was so bright it dazzled my eyes. The nursing sister looked down as me and smiled. I was amazed to see what was happening to her as a halo formed around her face, the sister’s face began to change into the most beautiful young face I have ever seen. She was changing into an angel with the halo still around her and at the same time I was feeling a creepy sensation starting from my toes down to my ankles and going up my legs. I reached out to hold the beautiful face of the angel but she moved away.At the Battle of Anzio where my face blew up like a balloon, my nose and lips completely disappeared, my eyelids covered my eyes. The medical officer said it is caused by explosions of the gunfiring from the 25 pounder gun. M.O. said he will find an E.N.T specialist. I was not allowed to leave Anzio beach head as I was sick, only the wounded according to my Colonel. The swelling went down after a week’s treatment. Two months later we left Anzio and advanced towards Rome on Highway 7, then to Gustave Line, then the 5th division was taken out of action returning back to Palestine again. Julis. Instead of England. The R.M.O. sent me to No2 general hospital near Jerusalem for my operation sinus to have my face cut open inside and cheek bones chipped and scraped. The M.O. assistant gave me an injection to calm my nerves down. The nursing sister asked me if I was alright and ready. 9th-13th Nov.44.When we left Dunkirk, approximately ten thousand soldiers on each ship it was packed top to bottom that all front soldiers were ordered to sit down to make more room. So my feet was in the sea as the destroyer sunk so low. Later I looked back and saw the red glow of fire ball of Dunkirk. The sailors came to give us cocoa and rum. The sailor asked me “Do you know who the soldier who sent the message calling us British Navy cowards in the face of the enemy? We are not cowards.” “What are you going to do with the soldier?” “Me and my shipmates are going to throw him into the sea. (Now I am in trouble with the British Navy) “And the B.E.F. will throw you and shipmates overboard to join him. Why didn’t you come out yesterday to save us?” “Because there were too many u-boats in the Channel.” “Silence!” came the order “Do you want the u-boats to sink us all.”When the German artillery stopped firing, the six planks of wood from Dunkirk houses to form a crossing put in place bridging the gap for us to cross the Mole pier. When I arrived with the six French gunners an officer shouted “No French soldiers allowed only British.” “Sir, these six French gunners belong to 92nd Field Artillery.” But the officer and M.P.s refused to allow them to cross.. I asked my friend, Joe to go across and find the Colonel or our officer tell ‘em what’s happened. If no one comes tell the officer I will shoot my way across. After a short while ACT Troop Officer came. “Gunner Uggles, send the French gunners over.” When I got to the second destroyer the officer asked me, “Would you shot your way across?” “Yes. Sir. It was I that got the two destroyers here.”After midnight June 4th while I was resting in the rowing boat my Troop Commander came. “Come on Gunbuster, two destroyers have arrived at the end of the pier. Destroy your boat, Bren gun, gas mask, ammo and all kits to make room, rifles only and bring the French gunners with you. “Sir, what about the wounded and the infantry up the front line?” “Everything is taken care of.” I did not destroy the Bren gun. Instead I stripped it to pieces and distributed amongst my subsection to carry back home. We got onto the Mole pier when a German shell hit the pier killing and wounding many, some screaming out for help, “I am wounded, I can’t swim”. An officer shouted to those in the sea. “Shut up you fools. Do you want the Germans to know what’s going on?” The cries for help died away as they drowned. Planks of wood was called for repairs. I called out to God with raised fist, “God, what kind of game of war are you playing at. You command me to save the British Army and you let this happen.”
