MY DAD Victor Shellard, who will be 99 on October 30, this year, went to France in September 1939 with the BEF and joined the 5th Glosters.
He went over with some fine men - Ron Hatherall, Dick Cleaver, Frank Gardener, Albert Gardener, Cecil Fowler and Sid Abell – all local men from Minchinhampton, Tetbury and Chalford.
Dad spent his 21st birthday at Rouen, then after several months his battalion were beaten back to Dunkerque where they were guarding General Alexander and waited on the beaches for the 1st destroyer HMS Worcester which was sent to pick them up.
Once on board HMS Worcester my dad was ordered up to the bridge, as he still had his Brengun to fire at German Stuka planes which were diving down on them.
Sadly, an able seaman and the captain who were either side of dad were fatally wounded and dad suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs.
He arrived back in Dover on June 1, 1940 where he spent several months in hospital in Sutton Surrey.
He now has four generations of family and still lives in the parish of Minchinhampton, and as I like to call him is ‘The Last Man Standing.’
VICTOR SHELLARD
Stroud
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article