Private papers of L C Beck

His ts memoir (16pp) recording his service with the Wiltshire Regiment (1943 – 1944), including the outbreak of war (September 1939); his employment in St Albans as an errand boy for a local butcher, in a Miles aircraft factory and as a plumber’s mate (no dates); his service with the local Home Guard (no dates); his call-up and training at Meeanee Barracks in Colchester, Essex (November 1942 - ?December 1942) and with the 9th (Training) Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment at North Walsham in Norfolk (no dates, but 1943); his service with the Wiltshire Regiment at Mundsley in Norfolk (no dates, but 1943); his voyage overseas to Algiers, Algeria (no dates) and active service with the Bren Gun Carrier Platoon of the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (13th Brigade, 5th Division) in Egypt (no dates, but June 1943), the landings in Sicily (?July 1943) and the invasion of Italy (September 1943), participating in the Sangro (November 1943 – December 1944). the Garigliano Crossing (January 1944) and in the landings at Anzio (January 1944 – April 1944) where he was wounded by shell, losing both legs on Easter Monday; the treatment of his wounds at the Regimental Aid Post, a Casualty Clearing Station (21st CCS), and then the 92nd General Hospital in Naples prior to his evacuation by hospital ship to Liverpool (no dates); his recuperation in Dryburn EMS Hospital, Durham (no dates) and the provision of artificial limbs in C Ward at Roehampton Hospital, London (no dates); rehabilitation at Winkfield Place, a Red Cross Convalescence Home with periodic visits to Roehampton (no dates); his relationship with and marriage to one of his nurses; and commenting on his duties and training with the Home Guard; army life, notably his training, the conditions, drill, celebrating Christmas (December 1942 and December 1943), pay day, the NCOs, and his off duty entertainment; life in Italy; an engagement with Tiger tanks and German troops; the camaraderie with his fellow disabled patients; his reaction and recovery from the loss of his limbs; his bitterness at the politicians following the erosion in value of his disability pension; and mentioning Maurice Albert Windham ’Shake’ Rogers VC MM (17 July 1919 - 3 June 1944).

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