Veterans Voices - Mr Francis Hales

Veterans voices

More than 200 veterans and their families shared their war-time experiences during the New Forest District Council’s first Medals and Memories veterans’ week earlier this year.

The week – which included special dinners, school visits, parties and museum displays -  began with a moving service at Lyndhurst’s St Michael and All Angels church to celebrate ‘the survival of the human spirit in great adversity’.

Brockenhurst World War Two veteran, Francis Hales, was one such Veteran.  He  served in  France, Belgium and North Africa and Monte Cassino  – where 54,000 ALLIED  and 20,000  German soldiers lost their lives.

He said:  “Monte Cassino was a living hell.  We fired 36,000 rounds and lost 186 infantry.  More than 500 in our battalion were wounded and the dead were lying all around.”

Francis was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour for his part in the campaign, which led to the Allies’ recapture of Rome and the Italian surrender.