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This story is submitted to the People’s War site by a member of Market Harborough Branch, Royal British Legion on behalf of Kenneth West and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr West fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

Well Prepared
by Kenneth West

For over a year we had been preparing for the “Second Front”. Trained to the Nth degree and superbly fit, the time had now come. Tomorrow we embark and then “Ramps down” - inwe go!!! But first there were items of personal kit to be issued. The army with it’s meticulous attention to detail would ensure that we would be well provided for.

New assault type Gas-masks, special wound dressings, foot powder, water sterilization tablets, small 3 legged “Tommy Cooker” and solid fuel tablets, tin of tea/sugar/milk powder, packet army biscuits (hard tack), 1 emergency ration (tin of concentrated chocolate), tin 50 cigs, book matches and 1 pick or shovel were also issued. We were required to fill in the page marked WILL in our AB 64 and paybooks then to be handed in. On their return we found that 1/- had been deducted for “Blankets, soldiers for the use of, 1”. When the CQMS was asked why we should pay for an army blanket, he replied - “That is now your personal property, to keep you warm when you’re alive and to bury you in if you die - any further questions?” - there were no further questions.

Whilst in Normandy, our daily needs were catered for by the 14 man packs, usually brought to us at night. Carefully shared out, we each received 1 tin Meat and veg, 1/7 of a tinned pudding, 6’’ rasher bacon, cube of porridge, pkt hard tack, tablesp. Tea/sugar/milk, 7 boiled sweets, 1 bar Bournville chocolate, 7 cigs, 1 book matches and 3 sheets of khaki IZAL toilet paper. Whilst the edible contents provided a well balanced diet, the 3 sheets of “Army Form Blank” did cause us some concern.

So the dour struggle continued, with many shining examples of strained rearguard actions, especially in the CAEN area, but thanks to the “Back-room boys” at the War Office and their excellent forward planning down to the minutest detail, within 3 months the Normandy Campaign was finally polished off.

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