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Talking their way out of trouble!

online resource
posted on 2024-06-05, 19:26 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Charley was born in 1926 and signed up in 1944. He lived in High Wycombe and originally served in the "Ox and Bucks." He saw action in the Ardennes, most memorably on a night patrol when his friend Les Roker, who spoke fluent German, "talked them out of trouble" when they encountered a German platoon. Towards the end of the war he was transferred to the Highland Light Infantry although the family had no connections with Scotland. He stayed on after and was posted to Palestine. His stories were passed on by Elizabeth's mother. Charley never spoke about his experiences to Elizabeth. After military service he continued his successful career in the local furniture industry.

History

Item list and details

1 Photo of Charley and his German speaking friend, Les Roker 2 Poem 3 Daily Herald Extract 4 The Times VE Day 5 HLI Chronicle 6 Charley in Suez May 1946 7 Charley early on in service 1944 8 Charley in Jerusalem 9 Charley somewhere in Europe (1) 10 Charley somewhere in Europe (2)

Person the story/items relate to

Charles "Charley" Leslie Cartwright

Person who shared the story/items

Elizabeth Boakes

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Father

Type of submission

Shared at The Lee Parish Hall, Buckinghamshire on 19 February 2023.

Record ID

90281 | LEE002