Page 201 - The Bugle 2018

David Rapson Medlyn of 61 Cunningham Parc, Mabe, Penryn died on 24th May 2017 at the age of ninety-two.
Born on 6th October 1924, one of twin boys, to Norman and Annie Medlyn at 14 Killigrew Street, Falmouth above his father’s butchers shop. David was educated at Falmouth Grammar School. Soon after the declaration of war he experienced his first taste of battle when the docks were bombed. Leaving school in 1940, he worked in the family business until he was called up two years later. Initially posted to the Infantry Training Centre at Goojerat Barracks, Colchester, he was put through six weeks of hard training before being posted to a home service battalion of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, guarding an airfield near Boston, Lincolnshire. Their hutted camp was in the parkland of a large stately home; life was relaxed, the food was excellent and the accommodation, though sparse, was comfortable. It was all too good to last, and in November 1943 the Battalion moved to a battle camp on the bleak Yorkshire moors. The training, using live ammunition, was unforgiving in its intensity, and the weather was bitterly cold and wet. No tears were therefore shed when news on the grapevine indicated that they were to be shipped to North Africa.
Embarking in HMT Carmania at Greenock, they reached Algeria some twenty-three days later. There they joined the 1st Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, part of the 4th Division 1st British Army. David soon discovered that the 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry were in the same Division, so, being a born and bred Cornishman, he requested a transfer to his own County Regiment. This was granted, and he found himself in C Company, commanded by Major P D H Pengelly.
The story of the British 1st Army advance from the west to Tunis has been somewhat eclipsed by that of General Montgomery’s 8th Army advancing from the east (which enjoyed a greater public awareness). Be that as it may, the battles fought by the 1st Army were every bit as savage as those of their comrades in arms to the east. On 13th May 1943 the proud Afrika Korps, caught between the jaws of the two Armies, surrendered at Cape Bon, Tunis.
After the surrender the 2nd Battalion spend a hot and frustrating period at Kabrit in Egypt, taking in drafts from England, despatching a large draft to the 1st Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, and generally sorting itself out after fifty one days of almost continuous fighting.
On 14th February 1944, 2 DCLI embarked in HMT Letitia, disembarking at Naples over the bottom of a capsized Italian cruiser. The advance up through the mountains of Italy was far from the public holiday that certain elements of British public perceived it to be, nicknaming the troops ‘The D Day Dodgers’. It was bitterly cold, and, when it wasn’t snowing or sleeting, it seemed to rain incessantly. Quite apart from the weather, the Germans were far from being a beaten army, and contested every hill and every river with skill and determination. The siege of Monte Cassino proved to be the hardest chapter of a hard campaign. Casualties were very heavy.
The 2nd Battalion was relieved by New Zealand troops on 22nd November 1944 and moved south to Taranto for rest. Fate however decreed otherwise, for during the previous month civil war had erupted in
Greece with the well-armed Communist ELAS rising against the legitimate Government. The 2nd Battalion was packed into the bomb bays of Liberator aircraft and flown to reinforce a British force fighting in Athens. Happily, the fighting did not last long, but to provide a steadying presence the British force remained in Greece for the next year. David remembered it as one of the happiest times of his life – a wonderful climate and a grateful and friendly population. He became the Medical Officer’s driver and, thanks to the hearts and minds policy of providing medical treatment to the native population, was able to see much of the very beautiful outlying countryside.
On release in 1945 David returned to the family butchery business in 14 Killigrew Street, Falmouth. He was a member of Penryn Masonic Lodge for 60 years; a member of the Nankersey Male Voice Choir for 25 years (President for a year); President of the Meat Traders Association, South West, for 2 years and a member of the Atherneum Club Falmouth. He married Kath Wimlett who sadly died in 1970. The following year he met Monica Doble whom he married in 1974, and to whom we extend our sincere condolences.
THE GERMANS WERE FAR FROM BEING A BEATEN ARMY, AND CONTESTED EVERY HILL AND EVERY RIVER
Serjeant William (Bill) James Putt, BEM, of 6
Bosvenna View, Bodmin, who died on 8th October
2017 aged eighty-five, was born at St Wenn. Having
been educated at St Wenn, he found work as a
painter and decorator, before being called up in
1950. Enlisting into the DCLI on a regular six years
engagement, he carried out his recruit training at the
Regimental Depôt in Bodmin, and was then posted to
the 1st Battalion at Bulford. In late 1951 the battalion
moved to Minden where it was instantly thrown into
Rhine Army Manoeuvres. However, at that time the 1st
Battalion Somerset Light Infantry were about to sail for
Malaya for a three year tour of duty operating against
Communist terrorists. Bill joined them with one of the several drafts of DCLI soldiers transferred across to replace men with insufficient remaining service. During his time with the Somersets, he was promoted to Serjeant.
One of his first actions after demobilization in 1956 was to marry his girlfriend Margaret Dyer, with whom he was to enjoy sixty-one years of happiness. He soon found employment with the South Western Electricity Board, remaining with them for the rest of his working life, and being awarded the British Empire Medal for his outstanding service with the firm. He also joined the 4th/5th Battalion DCLI, continuing his military service for many years. A good games allrounder, he played both football and cricket for Duloe and Bodmin; he was also a keen member of the Bodmin Bowls Club across the road from The Keep. Never one to rest on his laurels, he was a long-time member of the Bodmin Lions.
For all Bill’s many extramural activities, he will be best remembered here at The Keep for his unswerving loyalty to the DCLI. He and a few other members of the Bodmin Branch of the Regimental Association formed a group that was always prepared to get their hands dirty and help out with the multitude of tasks involved in the maintenance of The Keep, and he and Margaret never failed to support regimental events. Each year sees fewer old soldiers of his calibre, and Bill’s cheerful presence is sadly missed. We extend our sincere sympathy to Margaret and their son Trevor.
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 207