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Bill's sobering police tour around defeated post-WWII Germany takes in sights and experiences of Oberhausen, Essen and Duisberg, including a poignant and memorable 1945 Christmas. Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST, STARTS EPISODE 107. Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/119-Post-war-Germany-Oberhausen-Essen-Duisberg Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
Chapter 22/23 Bill recovers from his wounds and gets back into training in England. He returns to the battlefront to his comrades in WW2 Germany and witnesses first hand the devastation caused by allied bombing and the uprooting of the displaced peoples of Europe, during the second world war. Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST, STARTS EPISODE 107. Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/107-Introduction-and-Dunkirk-Fighting-Through-From-Dunkirk-to-Hamburg-WW2-memoir-Book Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcasthttps://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/118-Ch-22-Back-to-Duty-Bill-Chealls-complete-war-memoirs Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
D-Day plus 1 to D plus 30. The Green Howards fight through France the next few weeks after the invasion. Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST, STARTS EPISODE 107. Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/117-Ch-20-D-Day-contd-Bill-Cheall-WW2-memoirs Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
D -1 to D-Day. Bill and his comrades cool their heels on board ship whilst the invasion is postponed. They land under horrific fire with the first wave of troops on Gold beach. Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST, STARTS EPISODE 107. Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/116-D-Day-Bill-Chealls-WWI-memoirs Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
Introduction & Dunkirk Prologue. Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST, STARTS EPISODE 107. Bill joins the territorial reserve army and fights in Dunkirk, living to escape and fight another day. He experiences the wonderful spirit and hospitality of the people of Cardiff, Wales. Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. STARTS EPISODE 107. "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer." Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/107-Introduction-and-Dunkirk-Fighting-Through-From-Dunkirk-to-Hamburg-WW2-memoir-Book Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall
Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Chapter 1, The Beginning - The Territorial Army – 1939. Chapter 2, Call-Up "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer." Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/107-Introduction-and-Dunkirk-Fighting-Through-From-Dunkirk-to-Hamburg-WW2-memoir-Book Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall
Chapter 3, We Join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and fight in France 1940. Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer." Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/109-Chapter-3-We-Join-the-British-Expeditionary-Force-BEF Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall
Chapter 4, Dunkirk. Bill's horrific experience in France continues. Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Chapter 0 - Introduction & Prologue. Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer." Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/110-Chapter-4-Dunkirk Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall
Chapters 5,6,7, The Aftermath, Reorganisation, Training. Bill recovers from Dunkirk and the Green Howards re-equip and reorganise for war. Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer." Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/111-Chapters-5-6-7-The-Aftermath-Reorganisation-Training-for-WW2 Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall
Chapters 8/9 - I Am Posted. Bill cools his heels in Britain before finding out he's going to do some travelling - on the Queen Mary ship - to the Middle East. Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer." Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/112-Chapters-8-9-I-Am-Posted-Queen-Mary-voyage Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall
Chapters 10 The Desert (Egypt), 11 Back to the Green Howards, 12 Wadi Akarit, Into Battle WW2. Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/113-Chapters-10-11-12-Egypt-Wadi-Akarit-Into-Battle-WWII Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
Bill trains in the desert heat before invading Sicily, experiencing bombardment and action around the Primasole bridge and Catania airport, before cooking a meal for Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery! Hear the complete book, now - Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/114-Chapters-13-14-Sicily-WW2-history Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
Hear the complete book, now ON THIS PODCAST, STARTS EPISODE 107. Bill returns home via bombed-out Liverpool. He trains hard and prepares for D-Day, witnessing some awful happenings in England before the invasion even begins. Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, by Bill Cheall. The story of one British man's second world war. Please do subscribe or follow in your listening app as it helps me with the search rankings. Show notes and photos: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/115-Chapters-15-16-17-England-Scotland-Preparing-for-D-Day Episode shortlist - Full episode listing for the podcast https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/about/ Buy Me a Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Reviews: Please review in your usual app or on my website here: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall "When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard (a Northern regiment), as a member of the British Expeditionary Force he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8th Army. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Alongside a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were then ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His comrade Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944. Once fit, Bill returned to the war zone and he finished the war with the East Lancs as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For all this he earned seven medals and a wounded-in-action stripe. Bill experienced many adventures during those action-packed years. Unlike too many, he survived to share these with the reader. Told with humility and humour, Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg is, by any measure, a superb fighting soldier's memoir. Bill passed away peacefully in 1999 following a battle with prostate cancer."
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I attended a special event at the Green Howards Museum. We started at the regimental war memorial in Richmond (Yorkshire) at 6.30 a.m., which was when the Green Howards landed on Gold Beach. The day was packed with discussion about the regiment and their role on D-Day. It closed with us having the privilege of getting up close to the only Victoria Cross, which was won on June 6th. If you find yourself in the Yorkshire Dales, visit the museum; it is a cracking afternoon out. To round off my look at D-Day, I'm joined by Steve Erskine from the Green Howards Museum and Paul Cheall (from The Fighting Through Podcast), whose father landed on Gold Beach with Stan Hollis, who received the Victoria Cross for his deed that day. In theory, we sat down in the museum on June 5th to discuss what D-Day meant to us. In practice, we had a rather wide-ranging discussion. We never got as far off the beaches as we anticipated… I hope you find our war waffle interesting. Patreonpatreon.com/ww2podcast
The Green Howards landed in the first wave on D-Day. With them was Company Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, who had seen action in France in 1940, being evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. He fought in North Africa and took part in the invasion of Sicily. It is fair to say Hollis was a seasoned soldier. He is also the only recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 6th of June 1944. I have made a field trip to the Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond, Yorkshire. In this episode, Steve Erskine joins me to discuss Hollis and the Green Howards on D-Day. The museum is hosting a special 80th D-Day anniversary event on the 6th of June, 2023. This is a unique event to be held at the museum in Richmond. Those attending will have the chance to explore items from the museum collection relating to this crucial phase of the Second World War. Hear accounts of the day itself and understand more about the impact of the events of 6 June 1944. You can find out more on the museum website greenhowards.org.uk. Patreonpatreon.com/ww2podcast
PART TWO Featuring No time for dreams: a soldier's six-year journey through World War II. By Robert W. Metcalfe, 4th Green Howards. PLUS: What someone's father found in the jungle AFTER the war. Who wrote to Bob Metcalfe upon publication of his book. Full show notes, photos and transcript at:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/94-Dunkirk-Special-Bob-Metcalf-Brit-Canadian-Green-Howard-WW2-history Reviews on main website:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Apple reviews: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ww2-fighting-through-from-dunkirk-to-hamburg-war-diary/id624581457?mt=2 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Links to features in the show: Thomas W Gray story - The Eighth Air Force Historical Society (official) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8THAFHS/permalink/6392716644111145/ WW2 Stories of Chaos and Courage Robert Gough https://www.facebook.com/groups/754427714964136/permalink/1401905480216353/?mibextid=zDhOQc Spitfire downed on Dunkirk beach https://www.facebook.com/groups/754427714964136/permalink/1298240560582846/?mibextid=zDhOQc Ramsgate life-boat - The France and Flanders Campaign 1940 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/861551180637519/posts/pfbid0MUyULj43uQvZ7CJjWhUJRUEd6P4xmbBKapXfv1d2hTvUzmcEAQYV1ZCeEa4Q7Xvql/ Thomas W Gray - The Eighth Air Force Historical Society (official) Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/8THAFHS/permalink/6392716644111145/ WW2 Stories of Chaos and Courage Robert Gough https://www.facebook.com/groups/754427714964136/permalink/1401905480216353/?mibextid=zDhOQc Recollections of Lieutenant JWR Cocke - Wilbur https://www.facebook.com/861551180637519/posts/pfbid023vpZUKbAJvcmkh2Y4HXQh25buYPeT4doKhBSzfnPus328rVKso3GuuQJvxuqZSpol/ More Dunkirk stories: https://www.facebook.com/groups/754427714964136/search/?q=dunkirk Seth Vader's grandfather's memoir: https://www.reddit.com/r/ww2/s/5OHnpaX7S9 John Moran of Scottish parentage but a Canadian wrote a book under the name Ian Moran called the Lone Piper. https://www.amazon.com.au/Lone-Piper-Story-Millin-Lovats/dp/1706961251
Featuring No time for dreams: a soldier's six-year journey through World War II. By Robert W. Metcalfe, 4th Green Howards Bob Metcalf enlisted in the fourth battalion, the Green Howards in December 1935. He saw action in France in 1940, where he was wounded. Subsequently, he served with the sixth battalion, the Green Howards, and the western desert, in Sicily, and was part of a British increment that fought with the fifth United States Army in Italy. After the war, Bob lived in Canada and became a Canadian citizen. He wrote his memoir in the early 1970's. Plus loads of family stories! More great unpublished history of world war two! Full show notes, photos and transcript at:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/94-Dunkirk-Special-Bob-Metcalf-Brit-Canadian-Green-Howard-WW2-history Reviews on main website:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Apple reviews: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ww2-fighting-through-from-dunkirk-to-hamburg-war-diary/id624581457?mt=2 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fightingthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FightingThrough Links to features in the show: France and Flanders – The Scotsmen story https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0rqsd4pF1fs37YC76TPuVgh4tpudaa3Lu7nHhMMX71WGSMQo2rnJ7Vu8eJ6hADWuFl&id=100072081056641 D-Day Operation Overlord facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1528243384106448/permalink/3551589835105116/ Assn of Dunkirk ships https://www.facebook.com/DunkirkShips/ https://www.adls.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/culturevannin/photos/a.421476987984802/2655215381277607/?type=3 Isle of Man Culture Vannin Facebook pagefor the Manx Heritage foundation: taking Manx culture forward https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/videos/world-war-two--the-isle-of-man-411483/?fbclid=IwAR1DGg6OnFOGCNd1evVKIBIUuliCuwI7vT-v5xDUcN44-bE5hSJ-kG1myjI Reddit Stories about WW2 heroes. Sgt Carbonero: https://reddit.com/r/ww2/s/7zhCVvj7sr Friends of Normanby Village Facebook page – 4th Green Howard story. Albert Edward Mead. https://www.facebook.com/groups/614763812894288/posts/1047674802936518/?comment_id=1047749999595665&reply_comment_id=1047877976249534¬if_id=1699710094723212¬if_t=group_comment_mention
Part 2 A classic tale of British infantry adventure in WW2. How the Fighting Through WW2 memoirs podcast put the families of two war comrades in touch with each other. Sicily and D-Day campaigns featured. Durham Light Infantry DLI and Green Howards feature. More great unpublished history! Buy Alf Blackburn's War Memoirs at: https://amzn.to/3I8cFxd Full show notes, photos and transcript at:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/90-Alfred-Blackburn-War-Memoirs-Part-2 Rennie Shaw https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56500895/rennie-shaw/flower Augie Herchenratter https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/war-hero-augie-herchenratter-hoped-to-make-it-to-the-nhl/article37536495/ Men of Worth project https://www.menofworth.org.uk/ Reviews on main website:https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Apple reviews: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ww2-fighting-through-from-dunkirk-to-hamburg-war-diary/id624581457?mt=2 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulCheall Follow me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlqRO9MdFBUrKM6ExEOzVQ?view_as=subscriber
There was only one Victoria Cross awarded on the 6th June 1944, D-Day. It went to Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis of the 6th Battalion of the Green Howards. Alongside the 7th Battalion of the same regiment, the 6th were to advance 7 miles inland on the first day of Operation Overlord, the furthest of any other forces from Britain and the United States.To explore the actions of the individuals from the Green Howards who made this advance, including the 180 who lost their lives in doing so, James spoke to Eric Le Doux-Turnbull. Eric runs D-Day Landing private tours and is one of the contributors for the History Hit TV special on the D-Day landings.If you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download the History Hit app please go to the Android or Apple store. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
There was only one Victoria Cross awarded on the 6th June 1944, D-Day. It went to Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis of the 6th Battalion of the Green Howards. Alongside the 7th Battalion of the same regiment, the 6th were to advance 7 miles inland on the first day of Operation Overlord, the furthest of any other forces from Britain and the United States.To explore the actions of the individuals from the Green Howards who made this advance, including the 180 who lost their lives in doing so, James spoke to Eric Le Doux-Turnbull. Eric runs D-Day Landing private tours and is one of the contributors for the History Hit TV special on the D-Day landings.For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download, go to Android or Apple store. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Briton Ken Cooke was in the 7th Green Howards infantry, and at the tender age of 18 was thrown into action for the very first time storming Gold Beach on D-Day 6th June 1944 in the very first waves of attack. LINK TO BUY ME A COFFEE Full show notes at: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/75-Coffee-with-Ken-Cooke-D-Day-veteran-Part-2 Reviews on main website https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Apple reviews - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ww2-fighting-through-from-dunkirk-to-hamburg-war-diary/id624581457?mt=2 Follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/PaulCheall Follow me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube channel - Loads of my own videos - Dunkirk Mole, Gold Beach, much more. https://www.youtube.com/user/paulcheall/videos
Briton Ken Cooke was in the 7th Green Howards infantry, and at the tender age of 18 was thrown into action for the very first time storming Gold Beach on D-Day 6th June 1944 in the very first waves of attack. LINK TO BUY ME A COFFEE Full show notes at: https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/74-Ken-Cooke-WW2-Green-Howard-Part-1 Reviews on main website https://www.fightingthroughpodcast.co.uk/reviews/new/ Apple reviews - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ww2-fighting-through-from-dunkirk-to-hamburg-war-diary/id624581457?mt=2 Follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/PaulCheall Follow me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FightingThroughPodcast YouTube channel - Loads of my own videos - Dunkirk Mole, Gold Beach, much more. https://www.youtube.com/user/paulcheall/videos
To mark the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of VE Day, we spoke with a few of the veterans we know about their experiences on 8th May 1945 and hear their advice for future generations. Called-up in late 1943 aged 18 when he was working in York, Ken joined the Green Howards 7th Battalion. On the morning of 6th June 1944, Ken landed in one of the initial waves on Gold Beach. When Ken waded ashore the greatest thought which preoccupied his mind was not the enemy fire going on all around him, but that of his socks being thoroughly soaked through. His unit quickly pushed in-land in the proceeding hours and were in fact told to hold in case they got cut-off from adjacent units who had met stubborn resistance. The reality of the situation quickly dawned on Ken when the next day when the names of a few of his mate were posted as wounded or killed in action. Caught up in the proceeding grinding fight through Normandy, Ken was wounded by shrapnel from an air-burst on 4th July 1944 where he was evacuated back to Blighty. It took several months in hospital for Ken to recover from his wounds. ‘Fit’ once more, he was sent back to the North Western European Theatre as a replacement and posted to the Highland Light Infantry, battling through Germany and ending up at Bremen.
Some smashing tales to share. Top of the bill is a tale of a sniper, Harry Furness, from the 6th Green Howards which I’m using with kind permission of the author of a book called Sniper Anthology. Links - Not supported by all podcast players: Full show notes, links and photos Feedback/reviews in Apple Podcasts - Thank you. Web site home page Twitter page Facebook page YouTube channel More great unpublished history! Second world war
More coffee with Wilf Shaw of 6th Battalion the Green Howards, 50th infantry division, in the British Army. Wilf recounts many enchanting, funny and fearsome tales! Also joining us is Wilf’s friend, Lesley Littlewood, whose father was in WW2 as a Bren gunner. Wilf was in many campaigns including fighting for Monty’s 8th army at Alamein, Wadi Akarit in Tunisia, Sicily and of course Normandy. He was wounded twice and still returned to battle! More great unpublished history - of the Second World War. Links - Not supported by all podcast players: Please take my MOBILE survey! I’d be grateful for any feedback on the Fighting Through Podcast. Replies are completely anonymous. Only 9 simple questions, so do please take a shufty! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/699R789. Link to feedback/reviews Thank you. Facebook page Full show notes at www.FightingThroughPodcast.co.uk. A WWII military history podcast on Wilf Shaw's diary and memoirs. Recorded 2016 in Manchester, UK. Best podcast for World War 2 history and the second world war
A coffee with Wilf Shaw of 6th Battalion the Green Howards, 50th infantry division, in the British Army. Also joining us is Wilf’s friend, Lesley Littlewood, whose father was also in WW2 as a Bren gunner with 56 Reconnaisance battalion, part of 78th Division. Wilf was in many campaigns including fighting for Monty’s 8th army at Alamein, Wadi Akarit in Tunisia, Sicily and of course Normandy. He was wounded twice and still returned to battle! More great unpublished history - of the Second World War. Links - Not supported by all podcast players: Facebook page Please take my MOBILE survey! I’d be grateful for any feedback on the Fighting Through Podcast, or even early comments on the survey itself. Replies are completely anonymous. Only 9 simple questions, so do please take a shufty! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/699R789. Link to feedback/reviews Thank you. Full show notes at www.FightingThroughPodcast.co.uk A WWII military history podcast on Wilf Shaw's diary and memoirs. Recorded 2016 in Manchester, UK. Please note that photos below may or may not display depending on which listening platform you’re using. Best podcast for World War 2 history and the second world war
A 90-year-old Army veteran from North Yorkshire is devastated after his service medals were taken from his home. Thieves broke into the home of Ernie Tull in Leyburn and took the mementos. The incident means Mr Tull can no longer wear the medals at the annual Remembrance Day parade in his hometown. Ernie Tull joined the Green Howards aged 19 before transferring across to the Royal Artillery. Colin Nesbitt, the Secretary of the Leyburn Branch of the British Legion reacts to the news.
"We're having a marvellous time!" When Company Sergeant Major Gray wasn't fighting for the Green Howards, sometime in 1944 he found time to compose some war poetry. Six linked poems paint a picture of the journey across the English Channel and onwards through Normandy, ending with a letter home to Doug's mum and dad, telling them what a marvellous time he was having. Composed with a great sense of humour, these WWII poems make essential listening for any war buff. More great unpublished history - of the Second World War. Links - Not supported by all podcast players: Facebook page Please rate and review - Thanks! Full show notes and photos at www.FightingThroughPodcast.co.uk
War memoirs of a WW2 military medal hero. "Cognac, Calvados and kisses!". The previous episode of the diary ended with Company Sergeant Major Gray winning the Military Medal. His battalion, the 7 Green Howards, had landed on Gold Beach on D-Day 6 June and advanced some distance into the dangerous French countryside. With many comrades already dead or wounded, CSM Gray must push on further into WWII Europe with Holland as the next destination. More hazards and humour await our heroes ... More great unpublished history - of the Second World War. Links - Not supported by all podcast players: Full show notes and photos at www.FightingThroughPodcast.co.uk Please rate and review - Thanks! Facebook page Best podcast for World War 2 history and the second world war Please note that photos below may or may not display depending on which listening platform you’re using Doug Gray being interviewed on TV in later years
The memories of a Legion D'Honneur veteran A chat with Wilf Shaw of 6th Battalion the Green Howards, 50th infantry division, in the British Army. Wilf fought in many campaigns including fighting for Monty’s 8th army in Alamein, Wadi Akarit in Tunisia, Sicily and of course Normandy. He was wounded twice and still returned to battle! This is the fourth episode in the WWII podcast series Fighting Through from Dunkirk to Hamburg, based around the book of the same name which features Bill Cheall's World War 2 memoirs. More great unpublished history - of the Second World War. Links - Not supported by all podcast players: Please rate and review - Thanks! Best podcast for World War 2 history and the second world war Facebook page A WWII military history podcast on Wilf Shaw's diary and memoirs. Recorded April 2016 in Manchester, UK Full show notes and photos at www.FightingThroughPodcast.co.uk Please note that photos below may or may not display depending on which listening platform you’re using.