Probus Club of Ludlow hears wartime memories and family stories

Members of the Probus Club of Ludlow heard a collection of personal wartime memories and family stories at a recent meeting.

The talk, “War Time Anecdotes”, was arranged by Emly Williams, who invited four members to share stories passed down through their families and memories of those who served during the conflicts.

Emly began by recalling being taken as a young boy by his mother to meet his uncle Jack for the first time. His uncle spoke of his experiences during the First World War, including service in Palestine and on the Western Front – memories which had clearly left a lasting impression many years later.

David Trotter shared the story of his uncle, Gerald David Trotter, who was born in 1919 and joined the regular army in 1939.

Gerald served with the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and was sent to defend Calais in 1940. The following year, while serving in Greece during the Italian invasion and subsequent German advance, he helped organise an escape to North Africa by using army funds to purchase a boat.

He later served in North Africa with Montgomery’s Eighth Army, where he was commended for his actions under enemy fire, including destroying five tanks and 50 anti-tank guns.

In 1944, he took part in the Normandy campaign, including the breakout from the Falaise Pocket, before helping with the relief of Antwerp and fighting in the Ardennes. During his service with the armoured corps, he had to abandon tanks on 12 occasions.

When the Korean War began, Gerald was recalled as a former regular soldier and was awarded the Military Medal and Korean medals.

Tony Paulden spoke about two members of his French family and their involvement during wartime.

His great-uncle Raymond Hazard, a schoolteacher who had served in the First World War, later became an observer in a tethered balloon above the battlefield. During the Second World War, Raymond worked at the town hall and used his position to help the Resistance group ACTION by providing false documents to people trying to avoid being sent to German factories.

He was arrested by the Gestapo in January 1944 and, along with his son Jean Albert and Jean’s wife, was sent to German labour camps. Raymond and Jean Albert were transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of the “Convoi des Tatoués” (Convoy of the Tattooed), before later being moved to other camps. Raymond survived the war, while Jean Albert died in captivity in 1944.

Their actions are commemorated on a plaque at the church in Pont-de-l’Arche, France.

Paul Serrel-Cooke recalled the wartime service of his relatives, including his maternal grandfather, who joined the RAF in 1930 and became an air observer on Wellington bombers before being commissioned in 1942.

He later served in Calcutta, India, carrying out air reconnaissance. When Japan surrendered, a Japanese officer gave him his ceremonial sword to prevent it from being destroyed – an item the family hopes may one day be returned to his relatives.

Paul also spoke about his paternal grandfather, who served in Egypt, Sicily and Italy during the Second World War, and his own time as an RAF officer serving in Saudi Arabia.

Barry Treves shared further family memories, including his grandfather’s service as a First World War stretcher bearer, who was injured during a gas attack.

He also recalled a relative who was shot down over the North Sea and became a member of the “Caterpillar Club” after surviving by parachute. After reaching land, he was sheltered by Dutch resistance members but later surrendered to German forces to prevent reprisals against those who had helped him.

Barry also spoke of his father-in-law’s service with the Auxiliary Fire Service during the bombing of Liverpool docks, and his father’s role as an ARP warden and night fire watcher during the Second World War.

The meeting provided members with a fascinating insight into the courage, sacrifice and experiences of previous generations.

Report by Clayton Lee