ryan_box024-tld_f09_02

For Cornelius Ryan[crossed out]d[end crossed out]
Book about D-day
NOTHING
THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR,
PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT
JUNE 5, L944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE
ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name? William John Elmes
What was your unit and division? Fort Garry Horse 2nd Cdn Armd Div
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
I landed at Calais at first light on the morning of 6 June 1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? L/Cpl
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 years old
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name? Mrs. Freda Nellie Elmes
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? Serving with the LdSH(RC) as a Troop Sgt
Lord Strathcona Horse
When did you know that you were goint to be part of the invasion?
In May 1944
What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember,
for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time?
I crossed the channel in an LCT it was a very rough crossing and most
of the men where sea sick we talked mostly about the landing and what it would
be like.
What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the
crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had
poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in).
There where no rumors that I can recall except that the beach was
suppose to be very heavily mined