War stories shared in Rayleigh (From Echo)

War stories shared in Rayleigh

9:20am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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REMARKABLE war stories have been shared by veterans who came together for afternoon tea.

Rochford Council chairman Tony Humphries hosted the traditional afternoon tea event at Rayleigh Mill, in Bellingham Lane, to celebrate the contribution veterans make to the country and the district.

It was a chance for veterans to meet and share their stories with each other while enjoying live Forties and Fifties music, played by Come Home Sweet Papa.

Among those at the event was 90-year-old Alfred Smith, who served as a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps.

He saw action at Dunkirk and on D Day, and lost many friends during the Second World War.

He explained: “I was driving five tonne lorries.

“I sailed out on Christmas Day 1939 and landed in France on Boxing Day 1939, then drove several days across country to a little village in France.

“There were 137 of us and 31 got back, so I was lucky.

“On D Day, I was on the beach for 48 hours.

“You had no protection. There was nowhere for you to hide.

“The German machine gunners attacked over and again. I lost a lot of friends.”

Another to share his stories was 86-year-old Charles Wilkinson, who served in the Royal Signals for six years.

He was pleased to be at the event.

He said: “This is a lovely event. It is quite nice to meet up with other people.

“I went into the Army on January 1, 1942, and my service was mainly in England and Germany. I drove all over France, Germany and Holland.

“I was 18 when I went in. You just had to get on with it – that is all there was to it.”

Mr Wilkinson left the Army in 1947, and took over a butcher’s shop in The Chase, Rayleigh, shortly afterwards.

Mr Humphries said it was important to recognise the efforts made by veterans.

He said: “During my time as chairman of Rochford District Council, I have met many groups and residents who have made a difference to our community.

“This has given the council the opportunity to show the appreciation it, and the rest of the residents, owe to the veterans.

“It has given us the opportunity to recognise the contribution the veterans have made to our country through service in the forces and in many other ways.”