Dedicated to the memory of Kenneth John King. Born March 17th 1922, he died peacefully on March 16th 2010, before his 88th birthday. Father, grandfather and friend to all. His story here is just one of many who fought and died.
It was a bright, sunny day on August 21st 1941 when he went down to the recruitment office. He was unsure as to why he was doing it, but he felt sure that he must do it. After all, his cousin Lawrence had joined the paratroopers and he seemed okay, but then he was eager and willing. Ken wasn't so eager. He had joined the Home Guard but that didn't last too long and now he was going to join the proper army.
But could he really do? He wasn't a soldier. He was a quiet, gentle, patient man who didn't like bad things happening in the world. He was just a simple tailor who was to join the army.
"Come in, lad. Sit down." The officer smiled genially and gestured to a seat. Ken sat down and waited for the man to speak. The officer was a well-built figure with board shoulders and a moustache but his face seemed kind and gentle. He wore a standard military uniform and looked very official. Ken was almost too shy to speak.
After a while the officer asked him questions. Questions which Ken answered quietly and calmly. Yes, he was Kenneth John King. He had been a tailor and followed the Church of England faith. He was interested in joining the regular army, no reason other than wanting to join.
"Any family in the army?"
Ken thought for a moment. "Only my father. Ernest Thomas King, he was in the Great War." He almost added how it affected him and how he never spoke of the trenches or how he was captured by the Germans. 'Couldn;t run fast enough' was all he said.
The officer simply nodded and made a note. Then he placed his pen down and stood up. Ken quickly followed him and saw the officer was only a little taller than himself. The officer indicated to the desk. Ken took up the pen and signed his name on the line while the officer reached in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. Handing it to Ken, Ken saw that it was the King's Shilling.
He was in the army!
He smiled and the officer smiled back as he held out his hand.
"Welcome to the army, son."
Everything went like clockwork from there. Ken received orders to join the 7th Armoured and to sail off to North Africa. It was a long way around the Atlantic, but then the Nazis had all of Europe underneath them. Ken wasn't much of a seaman, but he managed somehow. The training was already a blur, but he figured that he would be driving a tank of some sort. It was exciting, like travelling to another country. He had only heard stories of other countries.
And yet, something told him that this wasn't going to be easy. He was nervous about leaving home, especially leaving his sweetheart Jenny back home. He had learnt early on to just accept life as it came and that had been enough.
Hey there. Just a small tribute that may continue on if I can do it. I want to tell his story, now he's gone. This is inspired by the Call of Duty series (which, by the way, is owned by Infinity Ward) More to follow.