How it started for me
I was called up to do six months training, and then war was declared. I joined the Borderers, 'B' company, the same as the Company at Rorke's Drift. Before this I'd been a boy collier working underground, what a shock it was when I arrived at Brecon barracks!
We sat in the old gym until our name was called, given an Army number and were kitted out. The conditions there were poor to say the least.
We did our training, then I was posted to various places in England and Wales. Then the time came to join the real war.
Wartime in Europe and AfricaI was posted overseas and took part in "Operation Torch", the landings in North Africa, where Monty defeated Rommel at the battle of El Alamein. We had some rough times there.
Eventually we drove the Germans out of North Africa and turned our attentions to Italy.
I then took part in 'Operation Avalanche', the invasion of Southern Italy. We had quite a few hairy times there too!Soon - all too soon - we were to have another Beach landing,my third!
It was time for 'Operation Shingle', the landings at Anzio and Nettuno. We landed on Anzio on 22nd January
1944 - coincidentally the same day as Rorke's Drift 1879! I told my crew this as I was a sergeant in charge of a Bofors gun. They weren't very impressed!
We had a very rough time at Anzio. Field Marshal Kesselring,the German in charge in Italy
tried to throw our Forces back into the sea, and very nearly succeeded.
Courage Under Fire
On the night of March 18 1944, during a particularly heavy enemy barrage which had set fire to an American tank destroyer of the U.S 45th Infantry Division, I could see and hear the tank crew screaming, badly wounded and burned. I left my trench and dashed across to help them. I dragged five of them to safety but was then hit by a shell which exploded near me. I took most of the shrapnel in my left arm and side, which to this day is severely disabled.
I somehow managed to get to a First Aid Post where the medics patched me up and gave me morphine. I was then evacuated to a hospital ship, where I was operated on and the doctors saved what was left of my arm. Then the ship was bombed!
Awarded the Silver Star
Being evacuated home I was told the Americans had recommended me for a medal, the Silver Star for my actions at Anzio.
In July 1945, my family and I went to the American Embassy in London to receive the award.
It was the American Bronze Star. They treated us like Royalty!
I was very surprised the next day when I bought a daily paper, and saw photographs of my family and I
all over the front page, with General Koenig (Commanding General, United Kingdom Base) presenting me with the Star. Other photos of my family were there too.
Fifty years later I returned to Anzio and visited the British Beach Head Cemetery. In the Book
of Remembrance I found names of friends and Comrades in Arms who died on the Beach Head all those years ago in one of the bloodiest few months of WW2. It was a very emotional time for me, seeing those names.
On reflection,I think I have been VERY lucky, not only to have survived the War, but to still be in reasonable health despite being 87 years young in the year of Our Lord 2006!!
AMEN!!!!!
Ken George TreadwellMore WW2 stories from Pontardawe
your comments
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Christina Rofique from Birmingham
My grandfather, Sapper Rupert Werrett was awarded the silver star whilst serving as a member of the 234th Field Company (Royal Engineers). On 2nd and 3rd November 1944 his company was charged with bridging the canal at Standaarbuiten in support of the attack which drove the enemy beyond Maas. He valiantly exposed himself under heavy enemy fire in order to drag two wounded comrades to shelter. He then immediately returned to the fight. He was presented his award by General Eisenhower at the American headquarters. This extract was taken from a restricted document GO270 (27/9/1945). Signed officailly by R.B.Lovett Brigadier General, USA, Adjutant General.
Rupert George Werrett was born 5/11/1919 in Askern, Yorkshire. Until recently he was the only British soldeir of this rank to ever have been awarded the Silver Star which is the highest medal awarded to a non American.
He was also mentioned in dispatches (No may be 2E21/2120/8/PI) published in 'The London Gazette' dated 7/8/1945. As a result of this he was awarded the Bronze Oak Leaf (Serial no 708).
Thu Jan 18 08:58:19 2007
Lance Treadwell
Peter, you could find out about your father by contacting local Branch of The Royal British Legion, they could give you an address to write to. Best of luck.
Thu Jan 18 08:53:02 2007
Peter Lewis
It is amazing what men can do and Ken was very brave. My father, Major David John Lewis (Royal regiment of Wales) from Aberdare was also awarded the Silver Star, the highest award given to a non American. He never told the family why. Is there any way we can find out?
Mon Aug 14 09:29:45 2006
What are your thoughts on Ken's experiences? Add your comments here.
Ken George Treadwell of Pontardawe was in the 7th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers in WW2, and his courage in battle did not go unnoticed.
