Brigadier David Baines MBE served in the Royal Artillery from the age of 18, serving in the Armed forces across France, Belgium, Germany and Palestine. In this interview, he shares his contributions in the 74 Support Battery, otherwise known as The Battle Axe Company, the 47th regiment in the Royal Artillery during D-Day landing at Gold beach, and his time as Adjutant with the 6th Field Regiment.
He fought in 10 different positions across Normandy and, even at the young age of 20, he was in control of organising soldiers in their fight against the Germans in tough conditions. Despite being a young officer, he knew pretty well what was occurring out in the battlefields for those risking their lives. He shares stories about those close to him passing, including a NCO, and the beginnings of noticing stress disorders amongst fellow officers.
Amongst the difficult recounts of his life as an officer, he revels in good memories of meeting girls, receiving letters from loved ones, befriending French farmers, as well as fond reminders of mischief with motorcycles.
David Baines served in the armed forces until 1974 and has since been the National President of the Normandy Veterans Association (NVA).