Tank veterans recall years on battle front
FOUR World War Two veterans have been reliving their experiences for an historical record.
Wally Tarrant, of Orchard Road, Chippenham, was a trooper driver/mechanic on a 75mm-gun Sherman tank.
Mr Tarrant served with two other Chippenham men, Brian Carpenter and Brian Coleman, and also Roy Clarke, of Colerne, in the B squadron of the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry.
The men have known each other since training days in the early 1940s and their experiences in combat and the lessons they learnt about humanity will be recorded forever.
Ken Hall of Hall Graphics, Bristol, is the man responsible for The Sherman Experience Tapes. He has been interviewing veterans over the past year about their experiences from volunteering into the services, through training and combat, and on how they feel they are remembered today, and their message to future generations about their experiences.
"I heard some remarkable stories and it has been quite an experience for me," said Mr Hall. "We have been trying to look at the bits missed in all the usual films and books which deal with the wartime action. I wanted veterans to talk about how they lived and survived during the times when they did not have their fingers on the trigger. Many men I have spoken to were at war for four or more years."
Included are three versions of the knocking out of Michael Wittman, the best-known German tank ace, by a Sherman Firefly of A squadron 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry.
Mr Carpenter, of Sheldon Road, Chippenham, said although the war had not been an easy time for anyone, he had found it interesting to talk about those years.
"I am sure there is a lot we haven't and will not ever recall but it was good to talk about our memories and experiences," said Mr Carpenter. "We have known each other for a long time and there were some things we talked about that had been forgotten."
Mr Tarrant said he too had enjoyed recalling tales and events, despite the atrocities of the war. "Because we have known each other for a while it is easier to talk about what happened back then. There are incidents that have been forgotten and sometimes it is good to talk," said Mr Tarrant.
The four men meet regularly and were contacted out of the blue by Mr Hall who has spent more than 18 months planning and researching the two 60 minute tapes.
"The tapes serve to illustrate not only their experiences in battle, but also the lessons they learned about their humanity along the way," said Mr Hall.
Information on the Sherman Experience Tapes is contained on the website www.hallgraphics.co.uk
Bron: jkelly@newswilts.co.uk
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