William John Coulter's service in the Irish Guards in Normandy

<p dir="ltr">William John Coulter served in the Irish Guards regiment. </p><p>Served in Norway with 1st Irish Guards battalion - later served in North Africa, Italy (Anzio) and later with 3rd Irish Guards in Northwest Europe.</p><p>Lost his job as butcher - decided to join the Irish Guards and went to Norway. On his 19th birthday, a shell dropped beside him and his friend/comrade was killed.</p><p>Irish Guards - St. Patrick's Day - going to the chapel, soldier beside him asked, "what do you want to do, Billy?" - "If they're prepared to die beside me, I'm prepared to fight beside them."</p><p>Nearly drowned (during landings - Anzio) due to the weight of they packs they wore - wouldn't talk much about it.</p><p>Making a retreat and trying to hold off the Germans - friend was taken as a prisoner of war. Remembered taking things off the Germans - this was supposed to stop the Germans selling possessions for food - let them do it and took the food.</p><p>Mentioned in dispatches for Bravery.</p><p>Remembers going through a village in France/Belgium - tanks were behind them. He shot through a door on impulse, called up by a tank commander - tank commander told him that he shot down a man (enemy) that was about to shoot tanks (with anti-tank weapon).</p><p>One of his friends was in a Japanese POW Camp during war.</p><p>After war, he joined the police - Queen's Guard. Used to take part in 'choir practice' on Saturdays to get out of guard duty. </p>