The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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216915 Bmbdr. William John Jenkins British Army Royal Artillery from:Middlesbrough This is something my dad wrote after coming back from Dunkirk, he was evacuated on 31st. May, his birthday, unfortunately, there isn't a lot, he never finished it. The Long Road to Dunkirk On the morning of May 10th.1940 Belgium was invaded by Germany, at 04:00 hours. The Regiment moved towards Belgium at 09:00 hours on the morning of the 13th. Via Baisieux, Renaix, Ninove, Brussels to Huldenberg right of the River Dyle. As we passed through Brussels we were given a marvellous welcome by the population, including Belgian troops, (my truck was decorated by two young girls it looked like a Co-op van on May Day). All day long we passed a pitiful stream of refugees wending their way from the fighting zone. The guns came into position near a large farm house now evacuated the date is now the 14th. Enemy bombers came over the battery position all day long but inflicted no casualties. The men lived well here as all the livestock was killed for food, and eggs and milk could be had at most times of the day. So for a whole day we did very little but rest and eat, but we did make ourselves some protection in case of sudden enemy action. On the morning of the 15th. the battery fired its first round, and we being unaware of any danger were casually strolling around. Later however our mistake was realised and this silly habit was soon stopped. The enemy attacked our zone at 21:00 hours but we held fast, as the whole of the British Artillery in our line pounded them. At a late hour in the night our Battery laid down a barrage, assisted by other Batteries all around us. I shall never be able to describe this noise it was terrible, the farm and all the buildings on it were shaking, the windows dropped out all around. This kept on for six or seven hours and it was now daylight, after the firing had ceased by our Battery and some of the others we prepared for a meal. It was then I saw our Gunners, they looked tired out and black as soot with the smoke as they had been almost stripped to the waist. We pulled out of Huldenberg that same morning May 16th. again we passed through Brussels, this time it was so quiet and the only people seen were a few Belgian soldiers. Then on again through many villages and towns to Gooik where we stayed the night. Colin Jenkins Add to this record.  Related Content: Royal Artillery Operation Dynamo - The Evacuation from Dunkirk and nearby Beaches Battle of France and The Low Countries 1940 Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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