Page 5

On the afternoon of June 5th 1944 we were just leaving our base on the river Hamble
Southhampton to assemble just off the Ile of Wight.
After months of training we knew now that this was it, the Invasion had co[?]
and we were going to be part of it.
I can well remember the sickly feeling I had in my stomach when we
were told that Morning that we were going to be part of the Assault
Forces first to be landing on the Enemy Coast at a place called Arromanc[?]
at about dawn or soon after.
But when we got out into Southhampton Water I felt a little bit better w[?]
I saw all the ships and Loading Craft that were assembled there, there must
have been hundreds all shapes and sizes.
I also noticed how choppy the Sea was, and we were some-what sheltered her[?]
I was thinking then, that I bet we are in for a rough trip. (We Were)
It was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of June 5th 1944 that we moved off in-
single line abest there were about 16 or 18 Craft in our Flotilla and it was going
to take us 15 hours or so to get to the Normandy Coast.
We were passing the Ile of Wight now I remember takeing a good look at
it Wondering at the same time Whether I would be lucky enough to see it again
Or as to how many of us would see it again.
Soon the I. of W. was almost out of sight; we were bobbing about a bit rou[?]
It was my turn to take over the Wheel we all took turns at the Wheel s[?]
as to relieive the strain on the Coxswain, who was of course in chrage of our [?]
---- Our Coxswain was a one, CPL "creaker" Denis a Regular Marine haveing had pre-War
experiences -- on big ships such as the HOOD EXETER, and SUFFOLK.
After I had been at the Wheel about an hour, the thought struck me-
I wonder if this is going to be another "Dieppe" or not, then the old
tummy started Rolling a bit, and for awhile I felt a bit uneasy.
As we went on it seemed to become rougher and rougher, and some of [?]
chaps were sea sick, I was feeling pretty bad and it wasn't long before I
became violently sick, the Craft was being thrown about all over the place
and it took us all our time to hold on to something, ship's were being
constantly barfeed shoulders bumped against the steel sides stoves began [?]
about the deck, then I was flung against a fire Extinguisher it came
away from its housing and on hitting the deck began to squirt White foam
all over the place one chap in particular got quite a soaking with it and
I soon heard all about it in no uncertain terms.
It was getting dark now, the sea was just as bad as ever if not worse
and at night when you can't see anything its seems ten times worse
By now everyone wsa feeling pretty bad we were all constantly being sick
the Craft was doing just about everything but sink, every time we hit a
big Roller there would be a shuddering grinding lurch as if we were
going to go right over.
Why we didn't or how we didn't go over to this day I'll never know.
Soon we could hear a point at first droneing sound then it became louder a
louder untill they couuld be heard just over head, we all shouted more or le[?]
at the same time it must be the Airborne boys just going in.
We gave a cheer knowing that we couldn't possibly be heard, but I think it
made us feel better.