NAM.2007-12-17-1

Word processed note by author James Dunning describing the memoirs of Bill Bidmead, which he used in his book,’The Fighting Fourth’, nd. Associated with Pte W H (Bill) Bidmead, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Royal Armoured Corps, Highland Light Infantry and No 4 and No 6 Commando, 1941-1945. Associated with D-Day and Walcheren Landings, World War Two, North West Europe (1944-1945) 1944. Pte Bidmead volunteered for the Army in 1941, but at only 18 he was sent first to join a Young Soldiers’ Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, these were always known as the 70th Battalion of a Regiment. He was trained in various parts of the South East of England. In November 1942 Pte Bidmead joined the Royal Armoured Corps where he learnt to drive tanks, and then was sent to the Highland Light Infantry in Aberdeen. It was here that he volunteered to join the Commandos and after his gruelling training saw active service with No 4 Commando in North West Europe, including D-Day and Walcheren Island. In 1945 he served in the Middle East with No 6 Commando where he awaited demobilisation.