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Archiver > SOG-UK > 2000-12 > 0975865678


From: "Roper" <>
Subject: [SOG] Sorting out Dad's War
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2000 17:47:58 -0000


My father often used to recount his Army days during WW2. but I haven't a
clear idea of the chronological order of these events.

These are the facts I do have from his papers and his chat:

1939, 1 May enlisted for 4 years with the colours, Territorial Army at
(Newburn? NBL) Army no. 4273416
Mid May 1940 On the beach at Dunkirk. Taken off by small fishing boat.
1941/1942 , Kassassin, Egypt. (photo)
Spent time in Alexandria,Egypt as regimental military policeman.
Learnt to drive on a tank in the desert.
Was one of Monty's Desert Rats.
1942 17 July classified 2nd. Year signaller & wireless operator (which
country?)
1944, 26. Nov. Driver operator, c group,class 2, upgraded (which country?)
1945 March 3rd, wounded in Central Med. Theatre of war. (which country?)

Wounded three? times. (which country?)
Wounded in the back whilst wireless op. in (France?)
Hospitalised somewhere Italy for collapsed lung. (seemed to be in amongst
wounded Germans and Italians. POW hospital? Learnt German and Italian from
the other patients)
He had 5 medals and attended a Queens Garden Party in London in the early
1950's. (I have these medals but they are back in UK)

He was a Newcastle lad so was probably in the Northumberland Fusiliers at
first but I think every time he was wounded he was left behind by his
regiment and he ended up in new ones. That bit's a bit fuzzy!

He seemed to spend most of the war in Egypt because he said he couldn't get
used to sleeping indoors after so long in a tent.

I'd like to fill in the missing bits. Would this be difficult?

Val Roper in Bahrain, Middle East

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