Barling & Wakering Heritage

Extracts

From

WARTIME DIARY

of

LESLIE HINCHLEY GRIFFITHS

(KEN)

28.2.11-25.6.98

Transcribed by Peter Griffiths

Ken was called back to the Grenadier Guards in 1939, but after some weeks was transferred to the Military Police, as the Army had less than a quarter of the MPs it needed. He used a motor-bike when delivering despatches. From May 24th 1940 Ken’s Company had been billeted at Fretin, near Lille – ‘in the loft of some farm buildings’.

NB I have retained the original punctuation of these notes, which were made at the time.

26.5.40 SUN.

On sentry in this billet from 12 - 3am, troubled by some person sniping at us from some woods at the rear of the billet. Good job he can’t see us clearly or his shots would probably get too close. Sent to Divisional HQ with a message at 1.30am (PG -pm?), about five miles away, however arrived quite safe and sound. On the way back was shot at from a private car from quite short range, very pleased to say that it missed though rather too close to be comfortable.

Since dawn there has been continuous Air Raids in this district, the German bombers having the whole sky to themselves dive bombing and releasing in salvos then coming low to machine gun anyone in the vicinity. We were very lucky five bombs being released at once and dropping only a few yards away again lucky for us the bombs failed to explode.

The Coy left this billet in **** (PG - twos?) at good intervals. I left at about 9pm to a new billet very near Div. HQ 4K from Lille.

27.5.40 MON.

Awakened at 5.30am to go on a reconnaissance with 5 others. Covered about 25 miles roads seem quite good and for a change we did not have to aim for the ditch to escape from bombs and bullets. Back about 8.30am, having had a very good look round Lille, which I should imagine is a fine place in peace time and even now does not show much sign of damage. In the High St. there was a group of about 100 people waiting to be served with food.

Moved off in the late evening forward to Neuve Eglise which we entered in the early hours of the morning in teeming rain no billets have been fixed so we slept for about 2 hours where we could.

28.5.40 TUES.

This afternoon there is talk that we have run into a trap and that the Germans have practically surrounded the place. Sergt Corrie & Sergt Mills & three others are sent out on a reconnaissance to report on which of two roads are occupied by Gerry and to be back in 1 hour.

It is now an hour & a half since the party went out and still they are not back, so it has been decided that the Div. will move.

Started the journey towards the coast about 6pm with a rush. After about 2 miles my motor-cycle conked out for the first time since I have had it. There is not time to stay and fix it so I damaged it beyond repair and came on in a truck. The roads are simply packed with English & French Army vehicles which slows up the traffic considerably, we are now being continually shelled bombed & machine gunned by Planes. Oh where is the wonderful Air Force. The sky is simply black with enemy planes. Thank God it is now getting dark.

29.5.40 WED.

On and on towards the coast along this small corridor of land which still has to be taken by the enemy. No sign of Corrie’s party. I am afraid they have gone west, when they set off there seemed a quiet look in Corrie’s eyes as if he knew it was his last piece of work for us. Let us hope that he has only been taken prisoner for his wife sake and they seemed so devoted to one another. But I am afraid there is not a chance. From all reports received they shoot all prisoners on sight rather than be hampered with them.

The bombers have just been over again. I seem to be fortunate still not injured. This road is absolutely packed with traffic, there seems to be dead men and horses all over the place, horrible sight.

At last I have arrived at our billet, after travelling until late afternoon with continuous waves of German bombers attacking us. This billet is again a farm about 6 miles from the coast and company seems to be gradually whittled down.

This evening scores of Gerry bombers went over and could be plainly seen attacking Dunkirk for about 2 hours. I do know that the town is packed with Allied troops the casualties must be terrific.

We are not even going to stay the night at this place the advance of the enemy being too fast, we are just waiting for instructions from Div. HQ.

Have just got away with two & three men on each motor-cycle and a lorry which had been abandoned, the Germans are only about 1/2 mile away with a mechanised unit when we went. Going to sleep in a barn which is Div. HQ for tonight.

As I lie down to sleep in the straw with Crocker sticking as close as an oyster to me. (The lad seems to think that if he keeps near me he stands a better chance of getting away) but from what I can see we have not an even chance of getting away, the boats cannot take all these thousands away under three days at least.

30.5.40 THUR.

Off again early morning. Cpl. Hayton and 5 men have gone back to try and round up stragglers. I have a feeling I shall not see them again. Good luck to them and let’s hope they get a chance to break for the coast.

At last we are on the beach about 50 yards from the water edge. We are not now being picked up at Dunkirk, it being practically a shambles from enemy bombing and shelling, it is a small place about 5 miles away, though the progress is slow all men having to be rowed in small boats to the destroyer and other vessels standing out at sea.

One of the most terrible events happened this morning. A large hospital ship painted snow white with large Red Crosses painted all over her was just about to sail for England loaded with English wounded when a Gerry bomber came over ignoring the troop carrying vessels then at once started dive bombing at this hospital ship scoring direct hit after hit. Wounded men some very seriously such as one who had had his legs blown off crawled out of his bed to the deck and dragged himself overboard into the sea to get away.

There were scores of wounded men in the water trying to make the shore when down came the planes and machine gunned them in the water. This is civilisation.

This evening G (PG – ie German) artillery found the range of this place and commenced to shell it very regularly every hour. There were quite a few casualties amongst men waiting in the different groups to board ships for England.

31.4.40 FRI.

In the early hours of the morning we are told to catch a boat and boarded one after pushing small boats off the shore until we were waist deep in water, a few chaps were left on the shore. I wonder if they caught a later boat.

Our boat left this place at 6am and as we moved off the German bombers came over to say farewell. I have heard since that the boat due out behind us has sunk loaded with troops.

Thinking that the boat would probably sail to a south coast port I looked at the harbour we approached at 3.38pm with interest, and could hardly believe my own eyes as I gradually recognised Harwich & Dovercourt. After something to eat on the quayside on the train naturally thinking of London, but finished up in a barracks just outside Leicester of all places. I wish I could let Vera know I am OK. I dare say the poor kid is worried stiff as to whether her hubby has been shot or not.

As we came out of the station the streets were lined with people three four & five deep, shouting and waving as if we were heroes or something. The only heroes I can think of are the Navy for getting us out of that hell hole.