Edward was 19 when he joined the Royal Army Service Corps. After Edward’s “square-bashing”, he soon became an RASC instructor and helped whip his platoon into shape.

On 3rd January 1942, Edward boarded a ship intended for the far east. Edward explains how he eventually landed in Durban, South Africa, due to the Japanese sinking of British ships in the Bay of Bengal.

After further training in Durban, Edward joined the 7th battalion of the Royal Marines where he sailed to Sicily. Whilst guiding Allied transport onto Sicily’s shores, Edward shares an incredible chance encounter he had with his brother.

Following Sicily, Edward joined the 279 Transport Company Unit. He talks about how he supplied the Allied landings and breakthroughs at Normandy, and witnessed another lorry’s devastating encounter with a mine.

Edward, who is Jewish, reflects on his feelings towards German soldiers during WW2 and how he lost his religious faith during the war. He recalls camaraderie’s importance as he supplied forces pushing through Belgium and how he evacuated prisoners and casualties from Germany.

Edward’s story highlights the RASC’s resilience and importance during WW2. It also shows a boy find his manhood amongst the trials and tribulations of war.