25/12/2023 0 Comments Xmas - 2023 - Veteran's Medal!My father - Alfred Gregory Wyles (1916-1976) - was a Professional soldier during WWII! He joined the Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Territorials) and served as part of an anti-tank platoon. Landing in the first-waves on Sword Beach during the D-Day Normandy Landings - he was tasked with fighting ten-miles in-land to relieve the Ox & Bucks Glider Troops (D Company of the 2nd Battalion 'Professionals')which had landed in their wooden gliders (earlier) in Caen. All elements of the Ox & Bucks trained around the Exeter Canal System in preparation for this mission as the area resembled the very similar Caen Canal System. His Unit ran into a SS Regiment which was being 'rested' France after spending a year or so committing war crimes in the USSR! As a consequence, nearly everyone in his Unit was killed and/or wounded - with the SS murdering those they captured. My father became a 'Straggler' and carried-on fighting in the hedge-rows of France - surviving as best he could. Eventually, he encountered the kilt-wearing soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders and was taken into that regiment. He fought his way to Hamburg - where he was finally granted 'Leave' to return to the UK during January, 1945. By that time he had been on frontline active service for 7 straight months! As he had been subjected to such high-risk stress - the British Army Authorities decided that he needed prolonged rest - which eventually led to him being de-mobilised as Victory against Nazi Germany was assured. My son - Adrian - applied for a 'Veteran's Medal' for my father - and the request was granted! On e of the pictures below features my father holding my son (Adrian) during the 'Summer of Love' which happened during 1967!
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