Herbert (Bert) Haddrell

Herbert Henry Haddrell was born in Bristol 27 March 1925, the youngest of twelve children to Thomas and Georgina Haddrell.

Bert enlisted as Private 14600517 on the 6 May 1943 and went to Goojerat Barracks Colchester for his initial training. He joined the Dorsetshire Regiment on the 17 June 1943 and was posted to 14th Infantry Training Centre, joining the Regiment at Margate. On the 8 September 1943
Bert was posted to the 4th Battalion, joining his unit at Bexhill-on-Sea.

Bert sailed from Southampton on MV Pampus and landed on the beach at Le Hamel on 23 June 1944. On the 10 July his battalion were involved in the assault on Hill 112 and during the Dorsets action on 3 August at La Bigne Bert was severely wounded by a German Nebelwerfer.

Evacuated to Southampton he then spent a year in hospital and convalescing in Scotland. Bert was discharged on the 26th July 1945 as “ceasing to fulfil Army medical requirements”.

He died 20th July 2015.