Wally was just 14 years old when war was declared on 3rd September 1939
As a teenager in Liverpool Wally witnessed the destruction of the blitz
Having completed his training Wally went to Essex to collect his new vehicleWalter Stockley and his wife Margaret both traveled with us to Normandy for the 65th Anniversary Commemorations and he has kindly shared his memoirs with us, to share with you...
I was born in Liverpool on the 11th February 1925. I have been asked many times to tell of my experiences
during the war years of WWII. Finally the time has come for me to put pen to paper or finger to typewriter.
This is my story and I shall call it 'A Journey through Northwest Europe'. I dedicate it to all of my brothers
in arms, some living, most are dead, but all are never more than a thought away.
11th February 1943
It was my 18th birthday, a day I shall never forget; for it was the day I went to enlist at the local Labour Exchange in Walton. Another young chap the same age as myself was enlisting at the same time, we were told that we would have to go for a medical in 2 weeks time at Renshaw Hall, Renshaw Street, Liverpool. Both of us past our medicals and 2 weeks later we received our papers and were told to report to Saighton Camp in Chester. There I did my basic training with the other young chap, we became good friends.
Over the next six weeks we did training on how to fire a rifle, throw grenades, bayonet training and how to march. It was during this six week stint that I had an interview with an officer to decide on which roll would suit my capabilities, the outcome of this was that I was to become a Driver Operator.
2nd May 1943
I had to report to Rhyl, to start my Driver Operator training and remained there until the end of July 1943 when I was posted to Whitby in Yorkshire. Here I continued with the same training course until the beginning of November 1943 when I went back to Chester, to be posted to the 212 Anti Aircraft Regiment. I was
sent on 14 days leave the very next day.
26th November 1943
I reported back off leave and was posted to Rhyl on an advanced signalling course, where I stayed until early January 1944, after which I was posted to the 3 R.H.A. in Norfolk.
February 1944
Along with the other drivers, I went to Guilford Essex to pick up new replacement vehicles, the one that I collected was a 15cwt. Canadian Ford...
