Profiles

What Jim Drew and millions of others went through to preserve our freedom was so traumatic that it is etched forever in their memories.

D-Day landing: Pic PA

Jim from Tipton fought in the Second World War and experienced things most people these days could never imagine. 

The war was so harrowing that Jim did not speak of his experiences and what he had gone through for many years – maybe he was waiting for the right time – over a pint in the local pub with his sons.

Time to talk

One day in the 1970s Jim was in his local pub with his sons Kevin and Michael and his son-in-law Paul.

Mulberry Harbour, Arromanche

Suddenly he started talking about his wartime experiences. Kevin was in his mid 20s. It was the first time he had heard his dad talk about the war and was amazed at what he heard.

Since then, Jim has talked openly about the war, and several years ago he and his son Kevin travelled back to Normandy with other veterans.

Jim saw action in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, but it was Normandy that left its mark.

D-Day

In an interview with Carl Chinn on BBC WM, Jim talked of his D-Day experiences – from the D-Day landings, to getting wounded and being sent back to England where he met Field Marshal Montgomery's mother.

Listen to Jim's very personal account of D-Day and his wartime memories:

Jim - the painter and decorator

Jim was part of the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944. He lost many friends and comrades during this period and was seriously wounded himself.

Even before landing the crafts came under fire. The sea was rough, the rain poured down.

On disembarking the troops had to make their way to the shore under constant machine gun fire. Many were killed before reaching the beaches - some even drowned.

Arromanches Beach: 40th Annivervary in 1984

Once on the beach, Jim's platoon re-grouped and "had to fight every inch of the way". But it was what they'd trained for and "the training took over."

The noise was deafening and the sea turned blood red.

From Gold Beach in Normany, Jim fought his way slowly towards Bayeux. But after eight days of fighting he was blown up - by friendly fire.

Things were so frantic that his own side had mistaken his platoon for the enemy. This was the end of active service for Jim.

A long recovery

When Jim awoke, he was back in England in a military hospital in Epping. He was transferred to various military hospitals including one in Belfast, where he had to learn to walk and talk again.

Jim with son Kevin, in Normandy

While in hospital in Belfast Jim, had a visitor. "I'm very happy to meet you", said the lady. "I'm Field Marshal Montgomery's mother". Jim was the first British soldier Montgomery's mother had met in Ireland.

She visited Jim once a week, taking him chocolate and newspapers. She even took Jim to Belfast Theatre one evening to see a show and then for a meal.

When Jim had recovered he recalls her saying: "I've got some good news for you. You're going home, and I'm very pleased to have met you."

You're my hero

After the war Jim returned home and carried on as a painter and decorator. Over the years he has been heavily involved in community work and was awarded an MBE in 1995 for this work.

Jim and Nancy at Buckingham Palace

Jim, now 89 years old, still visits schools and recounts his wartime memories - to a generation who know little about 'the war'.

He is passionate that young people should know and understand what the Second World War was about and what the soldiers went through.

On his 89th birthday Jim visited High Arcal School in Sedgely, speaking to years 9 and 10. After he had finished his talk and was getting out of his wheelchair into a car, a boy who had listened to Jim's talk ran up to him and said: "Can I shake you hand? You're my hero. Thank you for my freedom".