Here, Jonathan shares here some of the extracts from soldiers' letters.
WWII accounts, 1939-1941
Commander of HMS Hardy killed in Narvick action
Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee, of H.M.S. Hardy, who was killed while gallantly leading the attack on German destroyers at Narvik on April 10th was the son of the late J. H. Warburton-Lee of Broad Oak, Whitewell, Whitchurch.
Giving a report on the naval action in the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill said "From what we heard at the Admiralty late on Tuesday night we thought the operations so hazardous that at 1 o'clock in the morning we told the captain of the flotilla that he must be the sole judge of whether to attack or not and we would support him whatever he did and whatever happened. In these circumstances, Captain Warburton-Lee entered with five destroyers and attacked the enemy destroyers and such guns as they could have landed."
London Gazette announces first Victoria Cross medal awarded in the war
The Victoria Cross has been awarded to the late Captain Warburton-Lee, R.N., of H.M.S. Hardy, for his gallantry and daring in command of the British naval forces at the first battle of Narvik on April 10th this year, in which he lost his life.
Extracts taken from Wrexham Leader, April 19 1940 and June 14 1940
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Hell on earth - Wrexham man's description of Dunkirk scenes
Back from Flanders, having experienced what he called hell "on earth" is Pte GO Lewis.
The night of Monday June 3 was spent on the sand dunes at Dunkirk. On Tuesday he and his companions marched down to the beach where they stayed all day in pouring rain returning to the dunes at night. Returning to the beach on Wednesday, he joined a queue of thousands to take his turn for boarding a boat.
All the while he was at Dunkirk enemy planes were bombing and machine gunning the troops unmercifully. After waiting on the beach for 26 hours, with very little to eat or drink, Lewis boarded a small trawler which transferred him to a destroyer two miles from land. Lewis paid a high tribute to the men of the Royal Navy and Merchant Service who brought the troops back to this country.
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, June 14 1940
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Henry's Dunkirk account
Lance Corporal Henry Griffiths, R.W.F., related the episode to our reporter: "On passing our Orderly Room somewhere in France, I found our flag in the midst of the debris. I managed to dig it out and kept it in my possession as I was cut off from my unit on the same day. I carried the flag for nearly twenty miles before arriving at Dunkirk. I thought I was lucky to get on a mine-sweeper straight away after my arrival, but Jerry had different ideas, for dive bombers dropped four bombs in the centre of the ship. I jumped over the side into the water. From there I had to swim back to the shore about a quarter of a mile away. I was having great difficulty in swimming with the flag and the lance and was forced, whilst in the water, to untie the flag from the lance. It was not until two days later that I boarded a destroyer and landed safely at Dover."
L/Cpl. Griffiths lived at St Martins and worked at Ifton Colliery.
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, February 7 1941
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Brave Wrexham Airman shoots down three enemy planes
Wrexham airman, Flight Lieutenant Frederick Rosier was up on patrol and had his first success, bringing down one of the latest German planes. On the day following this, whilst piloting his aircraft, he was engaged in a large air battle, in the course of a "hectic" scrap he sent two Messerschmitt 110s to earth. A few seconds later a bullet entered his petrol tank, and his plane burst into flames. His clothing ablaze, Rosier jumped clear of his machine and opened his parachute. As he sailed to earth he was able to beat out the flames and landed safely, but badly burned. His injuries are extensive and painful and it is anticipated that he will be in hospital for about three months.
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, May 31 1940
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Context: On September 3 1939 Britain declared war on Germany in response to the German invasion of Poland. In spring 1940 the German Army invaded France, the Low Countries, Denmark and Norway. In late summer 1940 the Royal Air Force fought against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain and so prevented the planned German invasion.
WWII accounts, 1942-1943
Wrexham and HMS Veteran exchange plaques
Vice-Admiral C Tibbits attended the Wrexham Town Council on Tuesday evening for the ceremony of exchanging plaques relating to HMS. Veteran, the destroyer adopted by Wrexham, as a result of Warships Week in December last. The Mayor said the sad news was recently received of the loss of HMS Veteran in action, and he thought it would be appropriate if they stood in silence as a mark of esteem and respect for the gallant ship's company who lost their lives in the service of their country.
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, November 27 1942
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DSO for officer
For heroism in the desert fighting in the Middle East, Lieut Colonel Lysaght Finnigan, of Bryn Gwyn, Glyn Ceiriog, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the field.
A Cairo report states that Finnigan had three tanks knocked out under him and then continued to fight on foot. The first tank was blown up by a mine. He climbed into another and had only proceeded a few yards when the tank was disabled by a shell. He then mounted a third tank and successfully got his unit into position. Then this tank was destroyed by anti-tank fire and he was wounded, but he carried on until dark.
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, January 1 1943
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Wrexham soldier in Tunis
The Editor has received an interesting letter, dated May 21st, from Driver RJ Pumford of Belvedere Drive, Berse, Wrexham, who is serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Tunis, North Africa.
"...The biggest reminder of the war is the military cemetery. Row after row, all in a perfect straight line, are the graves of the German soldiers, each one exactly alike, with a black wooden cross. On each grave lies the soldier's steel helmet. It is a pathetic sight and makes one think a lot. No doubt there are German women and kiddies back in Germany waiting for the return of these fellows, who have had to pay with their lives for following Hitler and his crowd. Yes, war can indeed be very horrible."
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, June 18 1943
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Pilot's DFC
Flying Officer
David Lord, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, for 'courage and endurance of the highest order'. During the past two months he has been dropping food supplies to British troops deep inside Burma. His sorties often take him deep into Japanese occupied territory without fighter escort. [
David Lord went on to gain the VC]
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, July 23 1943
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Context: Victories for the British at El Alamein, Egypt, in late 1942, and for the Russians at Stalingrad in early 1943 were huge morale boosters for both countries. The Allies invaded Italy in autumn 1943.
WWII accounts, 1944-45
Letters to the Editor
Sir,
Out here in the jungles of Burma, the British soldier has been fighting under conditions I have no hesitation in saying are far worse than in any other battle front British soldiers have been called to fight on. We understand that the major issue is the defeat of Germany, but once that is accomplished, the 14th Army has the right to expect relief, but unless our MPs and other prominent men do something about it, we will remain, as always, the forgotten army.
A WREXHAM SOLDIER
Fourteenth Army
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, September 5 1944
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Posthumous Victoria Cross for supreme valour
For the first time in the two great World Wars, a Victoria Cross has been awarded (posthumously) to a Wrexham man. He is Flight Lieutenant
David Lord, DFC, eldest son of Mr and Mrs SB Lord of Croes Eneurys, Wrexham. The official citation reads:
"Flight Lieutenant Lord was pilot and captain of a Dakota aircraft detailed to drop supplies at Arnhem on the 19th September 1944. His aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, but he said he would complete his mission as the troops were in dire need of supplies. His task completed he ordered his crew to abandon the Dakota, while remaining at the controls to give his crew a chance to escape. Flight Lieutenant Lord displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice." (abridged)
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, November 16 1945
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Germany surrenders - how it was reported
The war in Europe is over. Germany surrendered unconditionally to the three major powers early on Monday morning. The universal feeling of joy and thankfulness found spontaneous expression in the decoration of every town and village with flags and bunting. The war against Japan must be prosecuted with grim determination until the Asiatic aggressors share the fate which has overtaken the tyrants of the Western world.
Extract taken from Wrexham Leader, May 11 1945
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Further reading
Website: BBC History - WWII
