One of the oldest surviving heroes from the D-Day landings will be the VIP guest at the Rededication of Timsbury’s remodelled War Memorial on Saturday, 8th June. Bert Matthews, who will turn 100-years-old on 16th November, is looking forward to seeing the work on a memorial that he once helped to build.

Bert has not yet seen the refurbished memorial, which dedicated local volunteers have been planning for some time. With the help of a local architect, a new edifice from Bath Stone has been included, with the work costing over £8,000. Bert will be picked up by an American army jeep, owned by the architect, and taken to the ceremony on the day – something he is very much looking forward to.

Bert Matthews was called up for National Service in 1940, aged 21, and served in the Royal Engineers for five years. His basic training took place at Shorncliffe, Folkstone, for around two months. He was then transferred to the 11th Field Battalion Royal Engineers for two years.

In 1942, he was again transferred, this time, to 209 Company Royal Engineers, based in Lincolnshire, and promoted to Lance Sergeant. After many months of training, his unit was posted to El Alamein, North Africa, where they met up with the infamous Desert Rats and where Bert first saw action. They had to be on high alert here, as there was a lot of German activity in the air and on the ground.

Whilst travelling in convoy with 8th Army to Tobruk, the Officer leading the convoy saw something suspicious and called a halt. Bert was called forward to go and investigate, realising it was an unexploded bomb in a culvert – which he successfully defused.

After being based at Tobruk for some time, they transferred to Sicilly – from here, they moved back to Fossdyke in Lincolnshire for further training and were put on standby for a secret operation; D-Day.

Bert and his Company were sent to Tilbury Docks to board boats which eventually took them to a point a few miles short of the Normandy beaches. After boarding a landing craft and wading chest deep through the water with his machine gun, helmet, pack and helping one of his platoon who was drowning, as he was so short, they reached Gold Beach at 10.30hrs.

Bert says it was quiet at this time, as he led his platoon off the beach without any casualties – he remarks how lucky they were.

They made their way to the rendezvous point at Ashmeil, where they spent the night being shelled, Bert recalling anti-personnel mines and unexploded shells everywhere. In one incident, Bert and his mate had to take cover when on patrol, ending up in a ditch full of pig manure! Smelly, but safe – he says.

Bert’s experiences in the army saw him meet Churchill and Montgomery, with photographs to prove it.

On leaving the army after the Second World War, Bert carried on working at his trade as a carpenter in the local area. He joined his local Timsbury Branch of the Royal British Legion, and was one of the designers and builders of the original Memorial and Club back in 1967–68, when the club first opened at its present location. Along with other members, Bert even put up £100 of his own money to secure the building of the memorial.

He has held many posts with the Legion – from Secretary, Welfare and Chairman and has been made Honorary Life Vice-President of the branch, helping to keep the club running for many years. Due to Bert and many others’ dedication over the past fifty years, the club is still going to this day.

The rededication service of the new Timsbury War Memorial will take place on Saturday, 8th June at 3 p.m. The ceremony will be conducted by Rev. Martin Blewett, with representatives from the Royal British Legion attending from across the area, local dignitaries, standard bearers and the architect, William Bertram. Bert’s Great Great Grandson will be laying a special wreath in his honour and to mark the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

Chris Fiddes, Timsbury Royal British Legion Standard Bearer, Poppy Appeal Organiser and Welfare Officer, told The Journal: “We do hope to see as many residents from the village as possible to attend the service, where we will pay tribute to the 29 men from Timsbury who gave their lives in WWI and WWII. We will also be gathering afterwards for refreshments in the Timsbury Royal British Legion Clubhouse, and everyone is welcome.”

Bert celebrates his 100th birthday shortly after Armistice Day on 16th November, and is looking forward to celebrations with the many generations of his family.