George Lemmon: Hero, Deserter, Lover

The contributor’s dad joined Royal London Fusiliers in 1936 in London and was originally shipped to India. They later boarded ships which they thought were bringing them back to England, but this was not the case, and they were offloaded in North Africa to fight against Rommel. He also fought in Iraq and Egypt. He remembers the desert being very cold at night and they needed fires to keep men and vehicles warm. He was commended for saving a soldier in the desert.

He was a stubborn man who didn't like authority. After fighting at Monte Cassino, he went AWOL for 7 months and no one knows what happened during this period. He reported back to Italy and was put in the slammer, but was released early as they needed experienced soldiers.

During his army career, he was a driver, motor cyclist, gunner, professional soldier. He never drove again after leaving the army and always used a bike.

His mother was English but from an Italian family and his future brother-in-law Alfredo also fought for the Allies at Monte Cassino.

A book part fact, part fiction entitled ‘Soldier, Deserter, Lover’ was written by his son and self-published.

His uncle Tom Lemmon was in the Royal Artillery and later was commissioned as a Major.