Dad was born in Bristol and joined the Home Guard at the outbreak of the war. He was then enlisted into the Devonshire Regiment, nicknamed by some as being the "Turnip Crunchers" due to their West Country accents. In preparation for Operation Deadstick dad was somehow transferred into the Ox and Bucks, probably due to his earlier training on a replica bridge in the Exeter area.
D-Day
June 5th Dad was assigned to Glider # 3, a Horsa LH469 carrying 23 soldiers from 14 platoon B Company and 5 men from the Royal Engineers, which was subsequently was towed over to the French Coast where it was released. The glider crash landed under the cover of Darkness but split into two upon landing. One passenger died from drowning as a result of the landing. We believe dad was then part of the escort group protecting the sappers while they checked out the bridge for explosives after it was captured. The glider group protecting the Bridge suffered a considerable number of casualties as a result of sniper fire around the bridge and eventually had to return to the UK to be resupplied with new recruits.
From the Ardennes to peace
Later dad was sent to fight in the Ardennes through one of the coldest winters on record. We then believe he was involved in the Rhine Crossing after being sent To Belsen to witness what had happened in the Concentration Camp. He somehow eventually ended up on Lunaburg Heath with Gen Montgomery to accept the German surrender by the Allies.
Post war
Post war dad returned to Bristol and became a gardener for Bristol Corporation. He died aged 82.
Story by John Watts, Bert's son
