Gary Lineker programme last night..
#1
About his grandad in the medical corp in Italy in WW2 excellent watch!
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#2
Watched it as well, most interesting. The Italian campaign, fought largely at Churchills insistence, is not often spoken about in WW2 histories. The fighting there, at places like Cassino, Ortona, Anzio etc, was as horrific as any other theatre, but is largely forgotten, likewise Burma.
After the Lineker programme, watched a thing by Jeremy Clarkson about Arctic Convoys, BBC 4 I think .God, that looked absolutely horrendous.
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#3
Superb programme. Really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Some of the veterans looked so well - the gentleman who is 104, the one from the Staffs Regiment and some others.

All together now...

We're the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy
Always on the vino, always on the spree.
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We live in Rome – among the Yanks.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,
Jerry brought the band down to cheer us on our way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea,
We all sang songs, the beer was free.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy.

The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride.
We didn't have to fight there. We just went for the ride.
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn.
We did not do a thing from dusk to dawn.
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

On our way to Florence we had a lovely time.
We ran a bus to Rimini right through the Gothic Line.
On to Bologna we did go.
Then we went bathing in the Po.
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

Once we had a blue light that we were going home
Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam.
Then somebody said in France you'll fight.
We said never mind, we'll just sit tight,
The windy D-Day Dodgers, out in Sunny Italy.

Now Lady Astor, get a load of this.
Don't stand up on a platform and talk a load of piss.
You're the nation's sweetheart, the nation's pride
We think your mouth's too bloody wide.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in Sunny Italy.

When you look 'round the mountains, through the mud and rain
You'll find the crosses, some which bear no name.
Heartbreak, and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
They were the D-Day Dodgers, who'll stay in Italy.

So listen all you people, over land and foam
Even though we've parted, our hearts are close to home.
When we return we hope you'll say
"You did your little bit, though far away
All of the D-Day Dodgers, way out there in Italy."
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#4
My Uncle Billy was killed in Sicily. Just a young boy from Quarry Bank. My second given name is in his memory, William.
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#5
The monastery at Cassino is a sobering place to visit, especially with the Polish cemetery having pride of place behind it due to they being the one's to finally take it.
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#6
(11-12-2019, 01:03 PM)hudds Wrote: My Uncle Billy was killed in Sicily.  Just a young boy from Quarry Bank.   My second given name is in his memory, William.

We are indebted to the brave men and women like your Uncle Billy.

If it wasn't for them I just dread to think what would have become of the world.
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#7
(11-12-2019, 01:03 PM)hudds Wrote: My Uncle Billy was killed in Sicily.  Just a young boy from Quarry Bank.   My second given name is in his memory, William.

FYI - Fine memorial within the QB park - it's mostly ignored now. Full list of names of the fallen hero's recorded on the walls.
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#8
Just watched it on catch up, very good watch.
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#9
(11-12-2019, 03:14 PM)Remi_Moses Wrote:
(11-12-2019, 01:03 PM)hudds Wrote: My Uncle Billy was killed in Sicily.  Just a young boy from Quarry Bank.   My second given name is in his memory, William.

FYI - Fine memorial within the QB park - it's mostly ignored now. Full list of names of the fallen hero's recorded on the walls.

I know it well.
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#10
(11-12-2019, 12:01 PM)baggiebloke Wrote: Superb programme. Really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Some of the veterans looked so well - the gentleman who is 104, the one from the Staffs Regiment and some others.

All together now...

We're the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy
Always on the vino, always on the spree.
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We live in Rome – among the Yanks.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,
Jerry brought the band down to cheer us on our way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea,
We all sang songs, the beer was free.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy.

The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride.
We didn't have to fight there. We just went for the ride.
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn.
We did not do a thing from dusk to dawn.
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

On our way to Florence we had a lovely time.
We ran a bus to Rimini right through the Gothic Line.
On to Bologna we did go.
Then we went bathing in the Po.
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy.

Once we had a blue light that we were going home
Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam.
Then somebody said in France you'll fight.
We said never mind, we'll just sit tight,
The windy D-Day Dodgers, out in Sunny Italy.

Now Lady Astor, get a load of this.
Don't stand up on a platform and talk a load of piss.
You're the nation's sweetheart, the nation's pride
We think your mouth's too bloody wide.
We are the D-Day Dodgers, in Sunny Italy.

When you look 'round the mountains, through the mud and rain
You'll find the crosses, some which bear no name.
Heartbreak, and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
They were the D-Day Dodgers, who'll stay in Italy.

So listen all you people, over land and foam
Even though we've parted, our hearts are close to home.
When we return we hope you'll say
"You did your little bit, though far away
All of the D-Day Dodgers, way out there in Italy."
Brilliant! You must be my generation...
Not heard it in years. Ian Campbell folk group recorded a version (cleaned up a little). Used to hear this in a pub in Brum in the 60s!
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