The Story of RON POLLITT

..."We were then taken to Etretat just outside of Le Havre where we were well received by the local farmers. First of all it was to be a rest period, then the rumours abounded as our heavy equipment like anti-tank guns were removed. ”We were going back to Blighty, that’s what was promised!” shouted some of the original Sans Peur lads. Well, this was not to be, as the Arnhem Airborne was faltering we were quickly reformed and rushed through to Holland. I think at worse we were meant to cause a diversion and at best get through to Nijmegen. Again, this was not to be, our supply lines were too far stretched and we became cut off. We were short on rations and although we did find a German bunker full of cigarettes, they were vile!

After 4 days we moved and got a few O/R replacements. One came to our platoon, he was very friendly and told me that he had been released from hospital the day before. He was now alongside me going to St Oedenrode. During the fighting I remember crossing the River Dommel on a steel Girder Bridge. We took up defensive positions, paired off and dug in to consolidate, the new replacement stayed with me. We were told to split the watch one hour resting, one hour on guard. I had just finished one of my stints and was lying down when suddenly there was an almighty explosion and my new friend fell on top of me mortally wounded. It appeared that a rifle fired grenade or small mortar shell had landed on his head blowing a hole in his helmet and resulting in the most horrific head injury which I shan’t be too graphic about. The medics arrived and I quickly became deranged. Although I don’t remember, I was told later that I fought the medics when they tried to take my rifle from me. I was evacuated to Eindhoven, then flown by Dakota to the 8th British General Hospital in Brussels. Two months on I was downgraded from A.1 to C.1 and unfit to handle firearms.

I was sent to Calais to help start up and run 112 Transit Camp, a complex of five camps capable of handling 9000 troops each way. I remained a Seaforth Highlander and in 1947 I was sent to Fort George and later on to York for De-Mob."

Ron now lives in Merseyside with his wife Audrey. Both were very pleased to return to Normandy for the 65th Anniversary. They were able to visit 177 graves out of almost 400 men Ron fought with, one in particular at Fonteney-le-Pesnil on the last day of the trip where Ron laid a poppy wreath in remembrance.