- Contributed byÌý
- Robin Warne
- People in story:Ìý
- Lt. Leslie Warne, Lt. Gordon Clark
- Location of story:Ìý
- Holland
- Background to story:Ìý
- Army
- Article ID:Ìý
- A3592532
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 29 January 2005
My father, who was Lt. Leslie Warne, tells this story.
I was with the HQ unit of No. 1 Port Construction and Repair Group, Royal Engineers. In early May 1945 we were in Breda, Holland. The German forces in Holland had just agreed to surrender, and
it was decided to send an advance party from our group into Rotterdam. To decide who should lead the advance party, myself or a Lt. Gordon Clark, a coin was spun, and Gordon Clark won.
As he entered Rotterdam, a German officer met him. This officer spoke good English, and offered his sword to surrender the city of Rotterdam. Gordon Clark replied that unfortunately his training had not covered the protocol for receiving surrender, so could the officer kindly wait until a more senior British officer arrived, who ought to know how to do it properly.
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