EDDIE'S PAGE
We are grateful at our Normandy B&B for the following information and story below has been provided by Eddie. The pictures by Nigel and Margaret. Thanks to you all.
L/cpl, Edwin Moore
Ist Battalion Middlesex Regiment,
15th Scottish division
The main battle was "Operation Epsom",the capture of
Cheux, Colleville,Tourville-sur Oden and the forming of a
Bridgehead over the Oden to hill11
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When i look back on the war i often think about those who died,those that i fought against, and those who i lost. The war was a bleak and unforgiving experience that will live with me forever, but so too will one memory which highlights that at times you could raise a smile.
We were informed that our aim was to capture the Oden bridge, which would allow us to form a bridgehead from which our armour could break out. As we proceeded towards Tourville we found ourselves in vast open fields and in no time at all we were being hit by an extensive Mortar attack. Being urged to take cover we began to "dig in",as quickly as we could.Finally the attack ceased. I climbed out of the slit trench to see wether we had any casualties and survey the area, to my suprise i noticed a large gathering on the far side of the field.
I approached an Irish Corporal named "Paddy," who i noticed had started a "brew," As i walked closer i noticed that mext to him was a "Billy Can ( made from half a petrol can ) and inside it were potatoes, Dozens of them. It turned out that we were attacked in a potato field and,as we proceeded to "dig in," these soldiers had been storing them.Paddy offered me a cup of tea and some potatoes which to this day i swear tasted just like Jersey Royals. I remember thinking that only an Irishman could have thought of this while under fire. Needless to say we took some with us, not that i remember cooking them.
This experience serves to show that when we consider the war we should also recognise that in part, even if only minutely, there were times when it provided us with positive memories which we could cherish for the rest of our lives.I will always remember, and be grateful to, that Irish Corporal, and those other soldiers, who in times of adversity managed to make war at least bearable. This was the lighter side of war and the side i prefer to remember.
L/cpl. E. Moore.
1st Battallion Middlesex Reg."C" Company No. 11 Platoon
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There are plenty of Normandy tours, D-Day tours Normandy and Normandy Battlefield tours. Our bed and breakfast farmhouse accommodation is centrally located for all of these.