Albert, then 19 and serving with the Royal Army Service Corps, used to slip out of his Salisbury barracks to spend a few hours at home.
But returning to base one morning in the summer of 1944 he and his mates were met by fearsome Military Police and their heart missed a beat.
Now 98 and suffering from Alzheimer's, Albert said: "We were all worried as we were expecting to do a stretch for going Awol.
"The officer with a smile on his face told us to collect our kit and we were then trucked down to board on to a landing craft.
"We were on this for two days just off the Isle of Wight. Looking back, I would rather have been charged as I had never felt so sick in all my life." When the Bath native was called up at 18 in 1943 his mum said: "Don't worry, son, you will be home soon - you are not tall enough." But he was to play his part in a corps responsible for supplying frontline units with food, water, fuel and military equipment.
He said: "We sailed early on June 6, 1944, not knowing where we were going or what was lying ahead of us.
"We arrived at Juno Beach and had to stay on board until a road was laid for us as the sand had all been blown up.
"All the while waiting we could hear battleships firing the noise was so loud it almost burst our eardrums. I am sure I was not the only one who was petrified at what we were about to walk into.
Esta historia es de la edición May 03, 2024 de Daily Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 03, 2024 de Daily Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Gisele blasts the 'cowards' accused.of her many rapes
A FRENCHWOMAN who was sexually violated by scores of men after her husband drugged her called them all \"cowards\" yesterday as she gave evidence for the last time.
5,000 calories per day and no nature documentaries
Rev Richard Coles on lax pre-jungle routine
A criminal abuse of 'Stasi' police powers Pictures: GETTY
THE SINGLE most appalling aspect of the Allison Pearson story is that she was not told of what exactly she was accused.
'Winter fuel cut will push tens of thousands into poverty'
LABOUR'S winter fuel payment cuts will push up to 100,000 more OAPS into relative poverty after housing costs by 2027, shows Government analysis published yesterday.
Putin's threats of nuclear war 'will not deter our support for Ukraine
SIR Keir Starmer insists Vladimir Putin's threats of nuclear war will not stop Britain giving Ukraine \"what it needs\" to defeat Russia.
'No farmers, no food, no future.... thousands unite over tractor tax
AROUND 13,000 farmers marched to Parliament yesterday to demand a U-turn over hated inheritance tax changes.
Burst of snow is first taste of winter
THICK snow could bring glee for some and gloom for others today as drifts up to 20cm deep were forecast for parts of the country overnight.
'If we don't have a next generation, there will be no future for farming.It is the backbone of this country.Without it, we cannot survive'
worried that they inheritance tax they make a profit'
HOT TO THE TUCH
Thomas has so much talent at his disposal
Southgate showed me how to be smiles better
LAUGHS AND INSIDE JOKES BRING CUP TEAM TOGETHER
