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Memories of a Wireless Operator

online resource
posted on 2024-06-05, 19:55 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Gordon Alexander Donald was called to service at the age of eighteen years and served from 1939 to 1945. He served in North Africa, Italy and Germany. He worked in the tank corps as a wireless operator. His wife, the contributor's grandmother, was a wren but she did not speak much about it, unlike Gordon who was very open. When Gordon went to North Africa, he was given a lecture on what to do if he was hit. He was part of a team that would report death counts. Among his objects is a mysterious Italian medal that was perhaps a gift from an Italian soldier. He had conflicted emotions- there thrills as well as horrors.

History

Item list and details

1. Medals 2. Photos of unit and service 3. Training pamphlet 4. Release book 5. Various documents 6. Identity card 7. Photo of Gordon at 25 years age

Person the story/items relate to

Gordon Alexander Donald

Person who shared the story/items

Kelly Collin

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

He was the contributor's maternal grandfather.

Type of submission

Shared at Fitzharrys School, Oxfordshire on 16 September 2023.

Record ID

117883 | FIZ008