Acts of Remembrance bring back memories for Raymond Whitwell, aged 90, of Malton (From Gazette & Herald)

Acts of Remembrance bring back memories for Raymond Whitwell, aged 90, of Malton

11:39am Wednesday 4th November 2009

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WHEN Raymond Whitwell lines up with old soldiers in Sunday’s Remembrance Day parade, he will be one of the oldest and most distinguished taking part.

Now aged 90, Raymond has recently returned from the Battle of Arnhem 65th anniversary commemoration, where he was presented with the Arnhem Medal by Queen Wilhemena for the part he played in the conflict.

He will be displaying his medal along with the Italy and Africa Stars, the Defence Medal, the 1939-45 Star, the France-Germany Star, and the Second World War medal.

Raymond, who lives in Malton, spent more than 45 years as a market trade in Helmsley before retiring a few weeks ago.

He recalls how after joining the Army he was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and was stationed in the town of Honfleur at the mouth of the River Seine.

The following year he was moved to Belgium as the German advance began.

He said: “We were part of the rearguard to allow the BEF to make for Dunkirk and evacuate to England.

“I eventually got to the beaches, but the situation was chaotic and hopeless, so I decided to try elsewhere.

“I was left in France after the evacuation of Dunkirk and spent 16 days travelling around, trying to find my way back to England.

“I had no knowledge of the overall situation and I eventually met up with a regular Army officer who was also lost, but could speak French.

“By now I had lost all sense of time, and which day of the week it was.

“We arrived at Lille Railway Station, where he found 29 English Red Cross nurses who were as pleased to us, as we were them.

“We found a Dutch fishing boat in the harbour and hitched a ride to Southampton.”

In 1941, Raymond completed a parachute course at Ringway aerodrome – now Manchester International Airport.

Two years later he found himself serving in North Africa, followed by the invasion of Sicily, before returning to North African, which was followed by the invasion of Italy from the sea.

His distinguished career continued with his return to the UK and then the Battle of Arnhem when, he recalls, he and others went for nine days without food.

“From there we went to Norway to disarm the German garrison, before we came back to England for VE Day and eventually, demob after serving for six years and four months in the Army,” said Raymond.

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