War memories of North Wales veterans to mark VE Day

Author Hugh Morgan OBE (left) with former Royal Navy Beach Commando Archie Thomas (now 101 years old), one of the WW2 veterans whose incredible stories are told in the new book <i>(Image: Supplied)</i>
Author Hugh Morgan OBE (left) with former Royal Navy Beach Commando Archie Thomas (now 101 years old), one of the WW2 veterans whose incredible stories are told in the new book (Image: Supplied)
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Memories of war veterans from across North Wales have been recorded for a special project to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Authors Hugh Morgan and GJ Lewis have spent 30 years interviewing World War Two veterans for their book, World War Two: Voices from Wales.

The book includes previously unpublished interviews with Charlie Barnes, Vernon Parry, Nick Archdale, and Glyn James, among others.

In 1945, Mr James, of the Royal Army Service Corps, was one of the first Allied soldiers into the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

(Image: Y Lolfa Cyf)

Recalling the experience, he told the authors: "I'd never seen or heard of anything like it.

"There was some mention about camps, but I certainly didn't expect anything like I saw because I didn't think, to be honest, that someone could be so cruel to someone else."

The book also recounts the experiences of Mr Archdale, who attacked Pegasus Bridge, the first major action of D-Day, and Mr Barnes, who was part of a crew on a Landing Ship, Tank (LST) delivering soldiers and supplies to Normandy.

Royal Engineer Mr Parry was in Germany when the war ended on May 8, 1945.

He and his friends went into a barber shop to get a haircut from someone who had recently been their enemy.

Mr Parry said: "When he finished, he had a sense of humour and he wanted to give me a shave with a cut-throat razor!

"I said, 'Nein, nein!'"

The book's co-author GJ Lewis said: "These particular interviews were carried out in 2012 but have never been published.

"All these wonderful men were members of the North Wales branch of the Normandy Veterans Association and the interviews were made possible by Captain Brian McManus, of Kinmel Bay.

"I sadly lost touch with many of them later on, but wanted to ensure their stories were preserved in this special book.

"Hugh and I have continued to meet and record veterans, right up to the last few months.

"Sadly, of course, only a very small number are now still with us."

The book also features the recollections of women and children who lived through the conflict, such as former Land Girl Mary Bott and teenage firefighter Mary Walker.

It captures the memories of those who vividly recalled the bombing raids on Wales.

World War Two: Voices from Wales features a foreword by Dame Siân Phillips.

It will be published by Y Lolfa on May 8 and is priced at £12.99.

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