Home | Veterans | Charles Jeffries
Charles-Jeffries

A veteran interview with

Charles Jeffries

Charles Jeffries served in the Highland Light Infantry.

Video Coming Soon

Bringing military history to life

Help us tell this veteran's story!

About Charles Jeffries

Credits


Reviewed by:
Andy Voase
Transcribed by:
Nina Kumari

Copyright:
All video content, web site design, graphics, images (including submitted content), text, the selection and arrangement thereof, underlying source code, software and all other material on this Web site are the copyright of Legasee Educational Trust, and its affiliates, or their content and technology providers. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any use of materials on this Web site – including reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, modification, distribution, or republication – without the prior written permission of Legasee Educational Trust is strictly prohibited.

Home | Veterans | Charles Jeffries

A veteran interview with

Charles Jeffries

Charles-Jeffries

Charles Jeffries served in the Highland Light Infantry.

Related topics & talking points

Keep on watching

More veteran stories...

Share this interview on:

https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/charles-jeffries/

Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Jeffries, Charles. A Veteran Interview with Charles Jeffries. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/charles-jeffries/. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
APA Style:
Jeffries, C. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Charles Jeffries [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/charles-jeffries/
Chicago Style:
Jeffries, Charles. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Charles Jeffries. Interview by Unknown. Legasee. Accessed May 23, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/charles-jeffries/
Harvard Style:
Jeffries, C. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Charles Jeffries. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/charles-jeffries/ (Accessed: 23 May 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Jeffries, C. A Veteran Interview with Charles Jeffries [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2025 May 23]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/charles-jeffries/
An interview with

George Batts

From the Sussex countryside to Normandy: George recalls the ‘daft’ decision to volunteer in the lead up to D-Day.

At only 17, George Batts, MBE, Leg d’Hon enlisted for military service, hoping like many others his age that it would make him a hero. From an ex-schoolboy in the Sussex countryside to a Corporal in the Royal Engineers, life for George changed dramatically when he volunteered himself for special duties, where he was trained on fitness, booby traps, and how to dismantle mines. Although he enjoyed the physical intensity of his training, George soon experienced the first hand 'organised chaos' of Normandy, after landing at Gold Beach in total darkness on board a Landing Ship Infantry. He recalls the terrible storm, the sound of gunfire, and later the sight of ambulances treating the long queues of wounded servicemen.  In this interview, George proudly describes his work on the Mulberry Harbours, before moving to a more front-line role in Belgium. On VE Day, while others celebrated, George knew he would soon be bound for India, to assist the continuing war effort in the Far East. Thirty two days later he arrived in Bombay, and afterwards sailed to Malaya, though was interrupted by the detonation of the atomic bombs in Japan before his arrival. Like many other veterans, here George describes himself as “one of the lucky ones”, and shares his hope for the future. Following the war, George was eventually made National Secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, and served as an integral part of Legasee's Normandy project, ensuring that similar stories will never be forgotten. 
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Richard Donovan

From Caribbean Shores to Malayan Jungles, a remarkable journey with the Royal Welch Regiment.

Richard Donovan's military journey with the Royal Welch Regiment began in 1951, when he narrowly missed deployment to Korea and instead embarked on an adventure in the Caribbean. Stationed at Park Camp in Jamaica, Donovan enjoyed the sun-soaked island life, even encountering Hollywood legend John Wayne on a beach. However, his time there wasn't all leisure; his regiment was tasked with internal security, facing challenges such as riots, a devastating hurricane, and disturbances in Grenada and British Guyana. After serving as an instructor, Donovan was finally sent to Korea, but fate had other plans. Just as he arrived, a peace treaty was signed, and his battalion was rerouted to Malaya. Here, he engaged in the harsh realities of the Malayan Emergency, conducting dangerous jungle patrols with the Ghurkhas against the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA). Donovan's vivid accounts reveal the grueling tactics employed to weaken the MRLA, terrifying encounters with wildlife, and a near-trap sprung by two POWs. Leading a platoon through the dense jungle, Donovan's experiences included tracking a rogue elephant and surviving friendly fire incidents. Reflecting on his service, his only regret was retiring too early. In later life, he became a dedicated historian of the Royal Welch Regiment.
Photo Gallery icon 30 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Fred Bailey

The fascinating story of a wireless operator parachuted into occupied France shortly after D-Day.

On his 18th birthday in 1943, Fred Bailey joined up with the Royal Armoured Corps and passed out as a radio operator gunner. After a short stint in the 13th Battalion of the Green Howards, he volunteered for a Balkans mission with the Jedburghs which first required him to learn the art of parachute jumping. Fred’s memories bring vividly to life what it was like to operate amongst occupying forces, and how difficult it could be to keep the different groups of resistance fighters working together. He also shares eye-opening details of the parachute jumps he undertook, including one that dropped him from 1,000 meters higher than planned! After France, the Jedburghs became part of Force 136 and headed to Burma where the action became altogether more intense, and Fred talks about the difficulties of operating in the jungle. Finally, he reflects on the strong bond that formed between the Jeds: a fitting way to end a fascinating interview about a remarkable time.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martyn Cox