A ladder to say hello and a tragic farewell

THeRe will be a lot of stories about D-Day casualties when the memorial in Normandy is erected, and it is quite correct that they should be heard. My late friend alan Fortune was a forward observation officer with the 76th Highland Field Regiment, Royal artillery, and was in the third line of the first wave on Sword Beach, Queen Red sector. In the run-up to the assault, the army was confined to barracks to preserve the secrecy of Operation Overlord. alan and a driver, Charlie Sutton, had to deliver some orders and happened to pass the end of the road where Charlie’s family lived. alan reluctantly agreed to Charlie’s request to stop, but Charlie’s wife wouldn’t let him in because ‘both the boys have measles’. Charlie got a ladder and spoke to his wife through the window until alan said they

had to return to barracks. Tragically, Charlie was the first of alan’s men killed on D-Day and is buried in Hermanville cemetery in Normandy. The last time I visited, there was a poppy cross on his grave from one of ‘the boys’. I hope his sons read this story.

Chris Pate, Worcester.