The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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262585 Sgt. George Wilson "Dod" Taylor British Army 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders from:Ythan Wells, Aberdeenshire George Taylor My father, George Taylor, belonged to Meadowhead, Ythan Wells, Aberdeenshire. He joined the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders in Nov 1934 at the age of 18 years and 6 months, and was assigned to a signals platoon. In 1940, his battalion was part of the 51st Highland Division, which was ordered to stay and help the French forces in trying to stop the German advance. They were left with little food, ammunition, or artillery and they were also so exhausted that the commander gave the order to surrender to save the slaughter of approximately 10,000 soldiers. He was captured at Saint-Valery-en-Caux in June 1940. While out on a motorbike relaying orders to other battalions, he ran into a German patrol. Along with many others, he was marched to Stalag 383 Hohenfels near the Czech border and held as a POW until May 1945. He never once told us of his experiences during the war, but they took their toll on him. For the rest of his life, he suffered nightmares every night until he passed away in 1991 at the age of 75.   George Taylor with his signal platoon at Aldershot in 1938, he is 3rd from right in front row Graham Taylor Add to this record.  Related Content: 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders 51st (Highland) Division Battle of France and The Low Countries 1940 St Valery 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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