Home | Veterans | John Shine
John_Shine

A veteran interview with

John Shine

On D-Day John Shine was the 21 year old stoker of LCT1123, a 57th Flotilla Royal Navy tank landing craft which carried American troops to Omaha Beach.

In the first few hours of the landings… the water’s edge became very congested with so many craft under fire while their skippers did their best to land at the sectors and times in their orders. LCT1123’s ramp was eventually lowered at Fox Red sector of Omaha Beach for the US soldiers on board to disembark with their vehicles.

Meanwhile its underside had become jammed on a previously unnoticed submerged obstruction which made it impossible to reverse back from the beach. John and his shipmates were subjected to more than two hours of German machine gun fire, and it was only when the tide started to come in that LCT1123 could rise far enough to pull free of the obstruction and leave Omaha beach.

In recognition of his contribution to the liberation of France, John Shine was awarded France’s Légion d’honneur in July 2015.

Video Coming Soon

Bringing military history to life

Help us tell this veteran's story!

About John Shine

Credits



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 | John Shine

A veteran interview with

John Shine

John_Shine

On D-Day John Shine was the 21 year old stoker of LCT1123, a 57th Flotilla Royal Navy tank landing craft which carried American troops to Omaha Beach.

In the first few hours of the landings… the water’s edge became very congested with so many craft under fire while their skippers did their best to land at the sectors and times in their orders. LCT1123’s ramp was eventually lowered at Fox Red sector of Omaha Beach for the US soldiers on board to disembark with their vehicles.

Meanwhile its underside had become jammed on a previously unnoticed submerged obstruction which made it impossible to reverse back from the beach. John and his shipmates were subjected to more than two hours of German machine gun fire, and it was only when the tide started to come in that LCT1123 could rise far enough to pull free of the obstruction and leave Omaha beach.

In recognition of his contribution to the liberation of France, John Shine was awarded France’s Légion d’honneur in July 2015.

Related topics & talking points

Veteran gallery

Photos & memories

Keep on watching

More veteran stories...

Share this interview on:

https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-shine/

Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Shine, John. A Veteran Interview with John Shine. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-shine/. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
APA Style:
Shine, J. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with John Shine [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-shine/
Chicago Style:
Shine, John. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with John Shine. Interview by Unknown. Legasee. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-shine/
Harvard Style:
Shine, J. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with John Shine. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-shine/ (Accessed: 17 May 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Shine, J. A Veteran Interview with John Shine [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-shine/
An interview with

Patricia Parker

A Wren from Kent reflects on her military service during WWII, including her memories of D-Day and VE Day.

When Patricia Parker turned 18, two years after the Second World War had begun, she was eager to do her bit, and as soon as she was called up she joined the WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Service). After completing her training in Kent, Patricia was sent to HMS Ceres in Wetherby, Yorkshire, where her job was to rate new recruits and decide which ships they would be drafted to. Recalling that 500 ratings passed through the station every eight weeks, she shares her emotional reflections on the uncertainty of their futures. Patricia also highlights the crucial role of the convoys in keeping Britain fed during the war; fondly remembers the regular dances hosted by the RAF, Navy or Army, at which many people found romance; and vividly recalls the build-up to D-Day, when England’s roads were lined with men and machinery in preparation for the invasion. Patricia’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the experiences of those who worked quietly yet valiantly behind the scenes. From the uncertainty faced by countless new recruits to the camaraderie and brief moments of joy shared within the ranks, her memories paint a vivid picture of resilience, duty and the human experience of war.
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

David Carpenter

Having enlisted in the Royal Marines in 1949, David describes his experiences initially in Korea, then on board for 3 month tours of duty and in Cyprus

David comes from a military background, his father and two older brothers served during WWII. He enlisted into the Navy in 1949 for seven years. He recounts a year of arduous basic training, which carried the risk of being “back-squadded” for failing. Although tough, David valued his training and was determined to succeed. Gaining the green beret was the proudest moment of David’s life. He began active duty in Korea, defending Wonson Harbour on Yodo Island in 4-1 commandos. He manned the heavy artillery, working alongside American counterparts to defend the island from enemy incursions. This also involved raids to disable strategic infrastructure. He enjoyed the opportunities for R&R in Japan and spent time there after peace was declared. David returned to the UK, following which he spent 3-month tours of duty in many areas including the Caribbean, often in guard duty roles on-board ship. David recounts happy memories of this time. Finally, David was stationed first in Malta, in charge of weapons stores and then in a similar role in Cyprus during the struggle for independence. It was while on duty that David was suddenly told to leave as his 7 years were up.
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Ted Verbiest

Fleet Air Arm mechanic whose squadron built the Cape Town airfield then assembled crated aircraft for use in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

Although Ted Verbiest had “a lovely war” in South Africa, he initially describes the chaos of recruitment and defending the beach at Littlehampton against a rumoured German invasion. More darkly, he recalls diving for cover with a WREN when German aircraft killed 32 people at RNAS Ford (18th August 1940). He then spent a year in Scotland, where one of his mates shot at a parachute, only to discover it was a parachute mine – fortunately, he missed. In Cape Town, his squadron built a new airfield so they could uncrate aircraft and prepare them for operations in the South Atlantic or Indian Ocean. He married a WREN in the airfield church, memorably spending his honeymoon on Table Mountain. Back in England, his squadron took over airfields as the Americans vacated, but they were cross to find they had been smashed up. Although he was duty Petty Officer on VE Day, his abiding memory is seeing a naked drunk man upside down in a dustbin.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker