ALBERT BARNABY’S WAR

"There were no point trying to dodge bullets.
They were like rain."

(Albert Barnaby 1923 - 2003)

I am always moved, and in complete awe whenever I meet a war hero. They are usually gentle older people with a sparkle in their eye. If you’re skilful enough in conversation these mild mannered men or women will take you back to a time, which will make your hair, stand on end.

Myself, I have never been scared by a horror film. The usual way they show blood and guts in a stupid or far-fetched storyline either makes me laugh or feel cozy whilst stuffing down chocolate on my sofa.

However the modern war films that portray conflict more accurately frighten me to death. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Band of Brothers’ type films show the fear and apprehension in a solders face. They give you an indication that war means a total breakdown in civilization, a complete orgy of death and destruction, with huge numbers of people killing each other.

When the actors wrap at the end of making such a film the go back to a warm life and drink champagne. The people of Knottingley who fought in both world wars carry it in their hearts until the day they die.

Albert Barnaby and his friend Arnold

Albert Barnaby (on the left) was born in a house around the Buck Yard, Aire Street, Knottingley, on the 13th February 1923. The day before his 19th birthday in 1942 he was called up to fight for his country. He joined the 2nd battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment (Duke Of York’s Own) based at Richmond barracks. In the right of the photo is Albert’s pal Arnold.

After basic training in the July of 1942 he was posted to Croydon for the defence of London. During this period Albert was posted to Southwold as part of the costal defence. On his second posting back to Croydon he underwent assault training for the D-Day landings.

It is easy to understand why many veterans are reluctant to talk about their war. Albert’s battalion (being in the first wave) stepped ashore at 7.30 am, on the left side of ‘Sword Beach’ 6th of June 1944. The 1st South Lancashire Regiment took the right hand side. They were joined twenty minutes later by the rest of their battalions. As the British bombardment lifted the Germans let rip with rifle, machine gun, mortar as well as field guns. After hideous combat they reached the top of the beach. Many of their exits were blocked with smoking British vehicles and barbed wire. With the tide coming up fast the beach soon became packed with the relentless flow of the British army. Barrage balloons were quickly thrown up in case of enemy air attack. They were quickly cut free when the German heavy gunners wasted no time in using them as range finders.

Between the snipers and general carnage Albert did well to stay alive that day. Of the many regiments involved in the ‘Sword Beach’ assault, there were more casualties than the press of the day let on. Albert’s regiment had five officers and sixty men killed. There were also a hundred and thirty seven wounded. The South Lancashire Regiment lost a hundred and seven. The Kings Shropshire Light Infantry had a hundred and thirteen officers and men dead. Albert’s first taste of battle must have been harrowing.

Although the 2nd Battalion didn’t suffer the carnage the Americans did on Omaha beach, their journey was about to get worse. Some of Hitler’s crack troops were waiting inland. A division of the 21st Panzer regiment was heading their way. The Brits’ and allies upset them so much they turned around heading back to Germany.

And so Albert began his hazardous journey. After fighting through France he continued through Belgium into Holland. He didn’t stop until the job was finished in Germany. Not many of us can say we have carried a rifle and a radio all the way across war torn Europe. He would have done so with a heavy heart, at some point Albert’s brother was killed during the war.

After the Second World War Albert was posted to Egypt and then on to fight again in Palestine.

In May 1946 Albert was granted a B class release due to ‘Leave in Lieu of posting.’ Having this method of leaving the army Albert did not receive his medals. All he had was the Palestine Star. Luckily Albert had five children who proved to be members of the younger generation who care. When they enquired about his medals, his words gave a true picture of war.

"When I got out of the army that was it. I’d had enough and did not bother applying for my medals."

50 years later Albert’s wife Brenda and children Jimmy, Ronnie, Pam, Chris and Jeanette, handed him his medals in a special presentation at the Golden Lion Ferrybridge.

Albert Barnaby pictured with his wife Brenda

I had the privilege of meeting Albert a few years ago due to his son Chris being married to my sister Catherine. I had just seen the film ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and I desperately wanted to thank someone for experiencing that type of horrendous warfare on our behalf. I asked him if it was as bad as the opening scene of that film. He just laughed and said;

"It was worse, there were no point in trying to dodge bullets they were like rain."

He then told me that the story for that film was daft. As we both giggled at Hollywood I realized that for a man who had seen the desolation of Europe due to war he was incredibly genteel and his eyes had the serenity of an angel. Then again, he had nothing to prove.

Knottingley lost one of its finest warriors on 24th of March 2003. He will be truly missed.

I would like to thank Jeanette and Pamela for supplying me with most of the enclosed information. I know this is a small task for them as they did spend two years acquiring Albert’s medals.

Michael Edwards
11 February 2004

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