To get a perspective on the background of some of the war heroes in
Sheffield, I asked some of them to put a summary together of their war
experiences and in particular, to describe their injuries and subsequent
illnesses.
"I was called up in May 1940. At that time I was A1 and when I was demobbed in February 1946, I was C3.
I served with 'D' Company, 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. I first went into action in the Invasion of Sicily and continued into Italy.
My first wound was at Minterno. Some shrapnel ripped into my right calf and I was hospitalised for a short while. Once recovered, I was returned to my unit and a while later suffered my second wound. That was at Gallgliano River. Shrapnel again, this time in the forehead near my left eyebrow.
Once more after a brief spell in hospital I rejoined my unit.
My third and final wound was again shrapnel that I got in my lower back while at Anzio Beachead. I was on a mission into no-mans land to do a bit of reccy.
As a "Tri-wound", I was sent back to England for recuperation leave. I later rejoined my regiment and was sent to intensive training in Ireland, ready for the next mission. It was there that an officer noticed the 3 brass wound stripes my wife had sewed onto the sleeve of my uniform. I was not sent into action again, but spent my remaining time before demob in England.
3 years later, I had an operation to remove one of my kidneys that had been damaged by the last wound."
L/CPL Bill (Podge) Hudson, 4752565
"I was an E.R.A. in the Royal Navy for about six years. I volunteered in September 1940 at the age of 19 years 9 months. For three of those years, I served on a Minesweeper and I went through the Mediterranean campaigns, North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
I was also on the Malta convoys. After my demob a few years later, it was discovered that I had Asbestos Lung Disease. That limits my ability to climb steps or stairs and I cannot walk uphill. I am also deaf in the left ear due to all the explosions of the mines, depth charges and the dive-bombers. For these disabilities, I am on a 100% War Pension."
Harry Smith, L.P.O. E.R.A.3, DMX/72886
"My regiment was the York and Lancaster. I served a total of four years 309 days. I was shot in both legs, suffered with Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, Double Hernia and deafness. I hope this will help you."
J. Balshaw, 4611422
"I joined the Army in July 1936 as a regular. In September 1939, I was posted to France where I served throughout the campaign culminating in Dunkirk. In November 1940, we were mustered for service in North Africa. It was during this period, I was struck down with Tuberculosis and sadly had to leave the service. I was discharged in December 1942 after 6 years 5 months continuous service."
Serial Number 7263246
Royal Army Medical Corps.
"My rank was Private. I served a total of seven years in the Army, first with the 51st Highland Division for three and a half years and then followed by the Queen Mary Regiment. I suffered hearing loss due to firing 25 Pounders and 105 mm's. I am also blind in one eye. I hope this information helps in your campaign to bring justice for all who serve their country in war."
D. Bradshaw, 965405
Others who contributed to the campaign:
L/Sgt P. May, 1584108
416 Battalion, 127 Regiment, L.A.A. BoFors
May 1940 - May 1946, Deafness
PTW P. Pearson, 5776237
Royal Norfolk Regiment (later transferred to Northamptonshire)
Right shoulder wound
J.H. Elliott,
Kings Own Scottish Border
Mr. Broadhead, PJX515545
Royal Navy, AB S/D
Left knee, head, face, deaf in right ear. Ship torpedoed eastern task
force, Normandy. One of few survivors.
Mr. Large, T/232482
Driver R.A.S.C.
1940-1946