258425 Evan Percy George "Podger" Gabe British Army 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry from:Wyke Regis, Weymouth My father, Evan Gabe, known as Podger, died in 1988 although his first death certificate was issued during the war after he was hit by a shell and left for dead on the battlefield at, I believe, Hill 112. Whilst crawling around drinking from dead men's water bottles a German soldier, presumably trying put him out of his misery, shot him in the head but the bullet hit the arm of his metal rimmed glasses and passed down the side. Eventually dragged back by colleagues to a field hospital where a captured German doctor operated on him and saved his life.
Waiting on the harbourside in rows of stretchers waiting to get back to England first a Stuka strafed them but missed him. About 3 or 4 stretchers before him they stopped loading the ship which sailed and sunk (mine or torpedo?) just outside the harbour.
Eventually back in England in a Leeds hospital a nurse was shaving off many days growth and said "My God, Podger Gabe, but you're dead!" Her mother who lived in his village had written telling of his reported death. Having lost his dog tags and all ID he had trouble proving his identity (and getting his back pay!) but returned home to Weymouth.
His wife died in the early 50's and he married my mother in 1954 and they had me. My mother donated his medals and papers to the Regimental Museum at Bodmin several years ago. I wish I had recorded his story but it was many years before he would even talk about his experiences.
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