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Hi I'm Luke. I interviewed my Granddad, Ronnie Carroll.
In this story Ronnie tells us about the time he spent in India during the Second World War.
And how he and his friend used to entertain the troops
He then goes on to tell us about what it was like to be a Royal Marine Commando during the invasion of Holland.
I hope you enjoy his story.
Well, you know my name - Ronnie Carroll, and I live in Warton here
And I have done for quite a while
And so, yes I'm getting on a bit now - I know I don't look my age but I'm 92.
There was one thing about being on the ship when we were going to India and over there.
It was rough a couple of days, very rough...
And a lot of them got sea sick, a lot of the men.
But me and my pal, Fritzie we used to call him - we were alright.
You know, we were walking about and all the others were lying on deck saying, "Throw us over! Throw us over!"...
And when we went down for a meal, the chef down there he was alright.
"Dinner" he said, "You can have all them there! Nobody's coming for a meal they're all sick, too sick".
They were all too sick to eat, you know - fantastic that was.
Going up like that, and then it would dip right into the... then up again, the ship.
How long were you on the ship for? - About 2 weeks. 2 Weeks? - Oh aye, yes.
Because we stopped at different places like Malta on the way...
To help them sometimes - it was very interesting, I enjoyed it on the boat.
Do you remember the name of the boat?
Rangitata - The Rangitata...
It was a passenger boat like, but it was commandeered to take us over there.
We went in India there, and went into some big place that been commandeered.
And it was next to jungles - terrific jungles and all that
And when we were just doing a bit of practice we had to crawl through these jungles...
Where there was all the animals and snakes and all that.
You know, you'd be crawling on your hands and knees, pretending to crawl up to the enemy's position.
And suddenly a great big snake would pop its head out! - Fantastic...
When we were in this barracks, you see - we were all asked to come out on the parade.
And we all came out. And this gent, well two of them came, elderly gentlemen, you know.
And our officer said, "This gentleman has come to speak to you and make you an offer".
"Hello everybody!", he said, you know, just like... "We're awfully glad to see you all...
"...coming and helping us to overcome this terrible happening that is happening in this country".
He said, "We're going to invite you all to a lovely 'do' tonight...
"A nice big dance and a meal in our club - you'll get to know what it is when I've gone. Thank you very much."
Like that, you know... anyhow - what happened then...
When we went... Ohh they were all so posh, all posh and this and that
Oh and it was terribly boring, we were all sat there, you know.
There was no dancing going on, they were all sat and coming over saying, "Hello, how are you...
"... very nice to see you, yes". You know, as if we were on a holiday!
You know, as if we'd come to say 'oh, nice to see you again...', and all that...
So after a while me and Fritzie, my friend...
We could do a little turn, we'd been doing turns, you know.
And singing and doing a bit of talking on different places where we were
Just for a bit of entertainment to the troops which we did, you know.
I remember one joke I used to say to my friend when we were on the stage...
And they'd all be there, all the officers and all the men... (They'd all be cheering)
And I'd say, "Oh and by the way Fritzie... who was that young lady you were with last night?"
"I saw you walking in the main street..." He said, "That was no young lady...
"... that was a sergeant major, he always walks that way!"
And there he was, a sergeant major in the front row!
The lads all roared and clapped, you know - and he was just, "Hmmm..."
Suppose he was saying, "Wait 'til I get you on your own!" - It was very good, aye.
But as I said, we weren't in India long
Because next we knew we were on our way back to England to go into the second front...
And then we were took down to the south of England because we were going to do the invasion.
Of the coastline... 'We' - the first being a commando, you see...
A Royal Marine Commando, we had to go in first - and we did.
And when we did in the part of Holland, and then when that was cleared, some came in...
We went back and did the other... What did you think at the time?
Thinking?! - I was thinking that I would be dead in the next day!
Oh yes, they all did.... I mean because I was going along like this and that...
And they'd be falling right and left and centre from me...
Well you know, as soon as you got into, you know - you're on a big - then you have to get into the invasion boat.
And you got down into it, and then you were waiting there - and then the front drops...
And you've got to run like mad out - well, sometimes the water was too deep to run in...
You'd fall flat on your face in the water and had to get up and... carry on...
It was diabolical really, aye...
But it was alright when we took possession of the town.
Yes, then all the girls came out - that was alright...
All the German - All the Dutch girls - oh they were nice, yes... yes. Very nice!