The Story of CYRIL ASKEW

...After years fighting the crafty Pathans and jungle warfare, slipping away from that station platform was comparatively easy. I was soon home but, oddly, I was frightened to knock on the door. Looking through the window I saw my mother for the first time in so many years. When I had left she had black hair; now it was white. Finally, I plucked up the courage to knock... 'It’s me mother, don’t faint!"

I stayed only the one night and then had to get back to Harrington. I went by train. Amazingly, a few seats away was the RSM!

I think I was judged to be something of a trouble maker. I was sent to Ireland with the 9th King’s Regiment. We were based around the Mountains of Mourne, and acted as a sort of holding battalion – training on vehicles, bren carriers and from time to time sending troops to various regiments. I found out that my brother was dying, yet they wouldn’t allow me any leave to go and see him. I have always been loyal to my Country, just as my father was before me, and this attitude really upset me.

In the spring of 1944, along with 50 others, they sent me to southern England, through Aldershot, in readiness for the invasion. I was attached to the Lincolnshire Regiment. It was all very secretive and none of us had any real idea what was going on; all we heard were rumours and counter-rumours. We appeared to be selected to go in first as part of Montgomery’s favourite 3rd Division, with the 9th Brigade Lincolnshire Regiment, along with Scottish and Irish Regiments. I landed on Sword Beach and we were directed to proceed towards the city of Caen which was Monty’s primary target.

I think we were aware of the American difficulties west of us on Omaha; of course we realised this was the big event and everyone was concerned to know the landings were a success and that we were generally moving inland. I’m sure there was a much higher casualty expectation amongst the top brass.

Christ - we were under heavy fire all the time. Once we were off the beach we had to quickly dig a slit trench just to stay alive! Then once we were clear of the beach there was an effort to re-group, to re-organise out of the disruptive mess of the landings. I saw six men coming off the beach towards my group and we all got together. We tried to get something to eat whilst there was an opportunity...