Besides having two Military Medalists in the Branch, we also have a B.E.M. (British Empire Medal) among our members. Although Bob Garratt was not a front line soldier he still found more than his share of action and was in hospital on three separate occasions with wounds.

Estimates of Bob's height vary.  We think it was at least 6'6".  It was no surprise that he was seconded into the Military Police!  It is straightforward to spot Bob in our group photograph.  He was a tremendously charismatic and likeable man, whose personality matched his towering presence.  He is sorely missed.

Bob Garratt

Bob Garratt enlisted in 503 Company, RASC in the 42nd Fast Lanes Division in 1938. Whilst undergoing training he completed two weeks at a Training Camp in South Wales in August 1939, joining the colours four days later. He was a Butcher/Cook and was employed feeding men billeted at the barracks on Chorlton Road in Whalley Range, Manchester.

On the outbreak of war Bob was posted to 916 Company at Wickham, Hants. still employed as an Army Butcher. He carried out these duties at various depots in the South and West Country.

But in March 1941 Bob re-mustered as a Driver/Mechanic after attending the appropriate course at the Morris Motors Factory near Oxford. This led him to be posted to a new unit, No.4 Tank Transport located at Weybridge in Surrey. Four months training and ten days embarkation leave later the unit was posted overseas. Departing from Weybridge at 5 a.m. they were on the train for almost 24 hours, travelling up and down the length of the country in a "usual organised cock-up". Blinds on the train had to be kept down so that the men would not know where they were heading. But, after passing through Warrington and over the Ship Canal it became obvious to all the Lancashire lads that they were heading for Princess Landing Stage at Liverpool. Calling at Grenock to pick up the rest of the convoy they set out on a five week voyage to Durban in South Africa. After three weeks at Clarewood Transit Camp in Natal they re-embarked on the Mauretania on a week long journey, disembarking at Port Tewfik and travelled along the Suez Canal Road, passing the Sphinx and Pyramids.

Eighteen hours after leaving Port Tewfik they arrived at Mersa Matru and were attached to the 7th Armoured Division (the original Desert Rats). After moving up to Benghazi the 'Flap' began, and in the subsequent withdrawal Bob was wounded by an Italian fighter plane and began his first visit to hospital back in Alexandria, later going on Convalescence to a camp on the coast of the Sinai Desert.

After recovering Bob was posted to a Corps of Military Police unit as a stores truck driver. He stayed with the C.M.P. during the El Alamein breakout until they got to Tripoli where he rejoined his own company again. Then on to Tunisia to see the end of hostilities in North Africa.

It was in Tunis that Bob was again wounded by the enemy. But not by bullets, shells or mines would you believe it - oh no. His injuries were caused by a German Doberman Police Dog which savagely attacked him, causing severe injuries and suspected rabies. The hospital this time was the Pasteur Hospital in Tunis where he underwent painful 24 injections to counter suspected rabies.

After discharge from the hospital he found that his unit had moved to Algiers. He managed to 'scrounge' a lift with the American Air Force on a B49 bomber to Algiers and rejoined his unit in time for the invasion of Italy.

Bob's unit landed at Taranto and, attached to the American F4-41 Army, moved to many locations in Italy. Back to the Eighth Army in Italy, Bob had his third hospital treatment for wounds. This time he had been blown up by a land mine in the Gothic Line.

Back out of hospital Bob rejoined his unit just outside Venice. From there he went on L.I.A.P. leave back to U.K. for 5 weeks, then back to Italy and on to Klagenfurt and Vienna for 18 months before returning to Oulton Park in Cheshire for two months before demob.

Not satisfied with his previous service Bob volunteered again for the T.A. in 1948, in the Royal Military Police. He was awarded the B.E.M. in 1953 for services rendered. But we have not yet ended the story of Bob's military career, for we know he was also called up for active service again during the Suez crisis in 1956. He finally agreed to take his discharge in September 1964.

Bob was a popular, long serving member of our Branch. He has served his country well and can he justly proud of his achievements, as we are of him.

Bob & Alan Garratt