256840 Pte. James McKenna British Army Royal Army Ordnance Corps from:Glasgow My father, James McKenna, joined the Army as a volunteer just prior to the outbreak of WW2.
As a lowland Scot, he was keen to avoid having to wear a kilt and therefore wanted to join an English regiment.
He was appointed to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division and served in the Western Desert as a driver. He was posted missing for a short period.
He then was involved in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The ship he was aboard was bombed by aircraft and sunk. Although a non swimmer, he spent time in the water and was injured when being recovered by a trailing chain from the rescue boat. I believe that he spent time recuperating in Sicily.
He then was then sent to Normandy just after D Day and I remember him talking about the fierce fighting around Villers Bocage. He then was involved in the unsuccessful attempt to relieve the troops who had taken part in Operation Market Garden in Holland.
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