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Tom Hicks' story begins when he joins the LMS straight from school
and follows his early life on the railways in the 1930s, through
enlistment, training as a paratrooper, wartime service,
imprisonment and his return to the LMS as an engine driver. Tom
volunteered for war service in 1939 and was initially placed in the
military railway of the Royal Engineers. In search of adventure, he
successfully applied to join the newly formed 1st Parachute
Squadron of the Royal Engineers. The intensity and rigours of
parachute training are described in detail, as are the comradeship
and humour that came to the fore as this small 150-man unit fought
throughout the Second World War as part of the 1st Parachute
Brigade. The excitement of the first parachute jumps are relived
together with the parachute operations in North Africa, Sicily and
the Battle of Arnhem. It was here after nine days' fighting with
his mates falling around him that Tom was wounded and taken
prisoner. Following the battle, Tom was transported in a cattle
truck to Germany where he was used as forced labour in a lead mine
until being liberated by the Americans in 1945. With insightful
commentary from Tom's son Norman, this is the story of an ordinary
soldier, who was motivated by pride in his unit. It was this that
would not let him leave the army when he was twice given the
opportunity to return home to support the struggling railway
system. Tom has recounted his experiences with a keen eye and the
sense of humour that has always enabled him to triumph in the face
of adversity.
Tom Hicks story begins when he joins the LMS straight from school
and follows his early life on the railways in the 1930s, through
enlistment, training as a paratrooper, wartime service,
imprisonment and his return to the LMS as an engine driver. Tom
volunteered for war service in 1939 and was initially placed in the
military railway of the Royal Engineers. In search of adventure, he
successfully applied to join the newly formed 1st Parachute
Squadron of the Royal Engineers. The intensity and rigours of
parachute training are described in detail, as are the comradeship
and humour that came to the fore as this small 150-man unit fought
throughout the Second World War as part of the 1st Parachute
Brigade. The excitement of the first parachute jumps are relived
together with the parachute operations in North Africa, Sicily and
the Battle of Arnhem. It was here after nine days fighting with his
mates falling around him that Tom was wounded and taken prisoner.
Following the battle, Tom was transported in a cattle truck to
Germany where he was used as forced labour in a lead mine until
being liberated by the Americans in 1945. With insightful
commentary from Toms son Norman, this is the story of an ordinary
soldier, who was motivated by pride in his unit. It was this that
would not let him leave the army when he was twice given the
opportunity to return home to support the struggling railway
system. Tom has recounted his experiences with a keen eye and the
sense of humour that has always enabled him to triumph in the face
of adversity.
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