208876 William John Downing British Army York & Lancaster Regiment from:Rotherham My Father, William John Downing, from Rotheram, served in the Yorks & Lancs during WW2. He never really talked in detail about his time in Italy, except for stories that he knew wouldn't frighten his 3 children! These stories he repeated often, right up until his death in 2003 and every time we reacted as though it was the first time we had heard them. He made a great friend in Italy who also served in the Yorks & Lancs, his name was Kenneth Holton from Nottingham. They fought alongside each other and remained great friends until my father's death. I know my Father was in Belgium during the liberation of that Country and he spoke with pride about the Belgians he met. He never claimed his medals.
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