From a hard place to a rock

FROM A HARD PLACE TO A ROCK

 

First-Hand Accounts of Soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force on the Run in World War Two

 

due to be published 28 June 2022     Hardback     £18.99

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FROM A HARD PLACE TO A ROCK - First-Hand Accounts of Soldiers on the British Expeditionary Force on the Run in World War Two

 

Col Jimmy Johnson DSO OBE MC, RWF has been described variously as a formidable soldier and a legend. Commissioned in the RWF in 1930, retiring in 1961, his service took him to many parts of the world. He now features in a book written by one of his nieces.

 

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 Johnson was with 1st Battalion which embarked for France with the BEF. When the battalion was tasked to delay the Germans at St Venant, B Company, under the command of Johnson, was ordered to outflank the Germans at Robecq. After bitter fighting B Company found themselves surrounded. Johnson was badly wounded by a sniper and the following day he and B Company were captured. Sent to a German controlled hospital for treatment, Johnson managed to escape at the earliest opportunity in the company of a Royal Artillery officer Captain 'Tommy' Trythall.

 

Jimmy's cousin, Captain Chris Waters 1st Field Squadron Royal Engineers had arrived in France on 17 May with 1st Armoured Division. The Squadron was soon attached to the 51st Highland Division which surrendered at St-Valéry on 12 June. After a week of forced marching up and down the coast Waters had had enough. He and a fellow office from his Squadron, 2/Lt Dennis Lennon, jumped through a hedge and lay low until the column was well out of sight.

 

This fascinating tale; part memoir, part social and part military history, tells a compelling story of war-time escapes from Occupied France. In addition to meeting a cast of interesting people from helpful farmers to obstructive petty officials and frustrated diplomatic staff, we learn of an outrageous attempt at extortion back home in England. Waters and Lennon wrote a journal of their time on the run, Johnson's story is largely told through letters sent home from internment camp and a later tape recording. Both stories are supplemented by first-hand accounts recorded by escapees they met en route.

 

As the men travel through France to Spain (where the two cousins were reunited) and on to Gibraltar their journey becomes more and more hazardous. It is miraculous that anyone completed a 'home run'.

 

Timandra has opened a Facebook page #fromahardplacetoarock .  In the run up to publication she will be listing some of the events that happened on the corresponding day in 1940 which may be of interest.

 

FROM A HARD PLACE TO A ROCK is due to be published 28 June 2022   Hardback     £18.99

 

Copies can be purchased from the RWF Museum or the publisher at https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/history-politics-society/from-a-hard-place-to-a-rock-hb/

Dedicated signed copies can also be purchased direct from Timandra Slade. Please message her through her Facebook page for further details. #fromahardplacetoarock