Memories of George Wady

We would like to share the story of our father, George Wady.

He was a commoner, but he was wonderful. He was born in Islington in 1925. He signed up early. His mum passed away when he was doing Basic Training. He volunteered - he wasn't called up. This is why he came home within 30 days. But his mother died. He arrived in France on the 10th Day of D-Day- D-Day10 on the 16th.

He spent his 19th birthday in Normandy 12 days after D-Day. He landed on Gold Beach. He was a Member of the Kings Royal Rifles (Green Jackets). They were originally territorial battalions. He was a soldier in an Infantry Battalion support 3 tank regiments.

He kept a lot to himself.
He was a wonderful character - he was exceptional - he had a wonderful sense of humour. He was just joyful. We think of him with great affection.

During his time in the army, he went through Europe to Germany. He served until 1947 (when Tony was 9 months old).

We have an extract from a book - he was in B company. His company commander Bill Deeds (editor of the Telegraph) wrote some books about the Kings Royal Rifles. All were very young (the boys battalion).

He was wounded thrice.

(They recently went to a D-Day 60th Anniversary and the mayor remembered George Wady!).

There are many in the military in our family.

There are many mementoes - photos and images.

A French historian wrote to George Wady about the London Regiment (GW was injured at the Battle of Bray-et-lu). The French historian wanted to pinpoint details about the French villagers being used as a shield. Peter Plumtree mentioned that they thought George Wady had died and he had not. At Memorial Day - 50 years later, they saw each other alive. He was wounded again 3 weeks before the war ended at the Twente Canal (in Holland). Half a company were lost. It has a canal lock they were ordered to take the canal. 90 were wounded and 16 were killed. George Wady was wounded.

The war ended in 1945 and, at the end, he was stationed at the railway station at Bryn. Then he went to Hanover. They were disbanded. They had thought they were going to be sent to Burma. He was still in Germany until 1947, like a gaoler for FSS. Grandad spoke a fair amount of Yiddish because he grew up in Islington and it was like a ghetto. He would have been involved in firing squads.

They blew trumpets to say it was the end of the war!

He didn't talk about the war for a long time. But they used to go to the Cheshire Cheese old pub in London on Fleet Street and drink with Bill Deeds.

We are very proud of him. He could light up the room. We just adore him.