Memories of the war - Robert Frank Palôt

I have brought in and had photographed my father's (Robert Frank Palôt) whip and spurs.

He joined the Royal Corp of Signals in 1938. All new recruits had to learn to drive and ride horses. They became mechanised as time went on. His main job was to be in and around London as a signalman.

I have given in today the telephone numbers for the anti-aircraft gun sites which protected London. During a raid the gun sites might be knocked out and telephone lines would be damaged. Dangerous job during the Blitz.

In 1943 he would go to France (which was occupied) with commando raiding parties. They would sneak over at night and try to capture a German for questioning. His role was as a radioman, who dealt with instructions from the boat and HQ. He was a climber and therefore useful on the team if they needed to navigate around cliffs.

I have brought along a picture of my mother and father getting married. This was on 18.06.1940.

Family story:
The family originated from Guernsey in the Channel Islands and one of his uncle's brothers was caught listening to a radio during occupation and 'disappeared' and was never seen again. The people of Guernsey suffered hugely under the occupation and many starved. My father mentioned making coffee out of ground-up acorns.