Surviving the horrors on Gold beach
D-DAY for George James began in the middle of the night of June, 5, 1944. A call went up on a loud speaker with the simple inquiry: “Does anybody know the way to Courseulles?”

Everyone in the camp knew the waiting was finally over. “We knew something was going to happen, we saw all the troops and guns building up around. And all the hotels were taken up by forces,” says George, now aged 80.
“But we weren't scared, we didn't care, we were laughing and joking, we were excited.” George, of Kingsley Walk, Tring, was born in the East End of London.
He had been called up to the Navy three days after his 18th birthday.
After spending six weeks in training - stoking on big ships - he was assigned to the crew of a converted London River Barge.
Designed for use on the river Thames, the barges had been modified for a much more important task.
Stoker First Class George James lived alongside the four other members of the crew on board the boat as the other barges and landing craft gathered together at the Isle of Wight and waited.
Although tense, the mood was good: “There was an incredible camaraderie. You always helped out other barges if they were short of anything.”
And when the call finally came, George and his colleagues were ready. “I remember leaving early because the barge was so slow. I didn't realise the size of the flotilla at the time.” Their destination was Gold beach on the central Normandy coast.
The crossing was rocky with the river barge being tested to the limit by the English Channel. Communication was by semaphore, which as George pointed out was tricky when your vessel is rising and falling 20 feet with every wave!
The barges were hampered by having to reverse onto the beach to unload their cargoes, while avoiding getting beached and the deadlier threat of enemy gunfire.
The doors of the barge had to be lowered by hand and supplies picked up by the waiting troops.
Arms were ferried from the main ships onto the beach. By chance a sheltered harbour was found along the beach offering invaluable protection from the German defences.
Captured German soldiers were drafted in to help with the unloading of the barges.
“The Germans' lads were so young and so grateful for a cigarette or a cup of tea,” says George.
“I know we should have hated them, but they were just the same as us, young lads.” Working under these perilous conditions, staying calm under pressure was vital.
“We knew there was danger but we were so young we didn't take any notice. The organisation was incredible, everyone did their job so well. Just to make sure we landed at all. Everyone played their part, everyone was important.”
With all the supplies landed and handed over to the waiting troops, George transferred to an assault craft and returned home.
He claims he wasn't aware at the time of the enormity of the events he was involved with: “Sometimes something flashes through my mind and I'm glad to be alive. I think of all those others that didn't come back. I came back.”
When speaking of the medals he received he is equally philosophical: “There are loads of people who got killed out there that deserved medals more than me.”
Having fought and survived the bloodiest conflict in history, George now has firm views on war: “There is no glory in war. All these people who want to start a war, give them a club each and let them club each other to bits.”
George lost a brother during the war, killed out in the Atlantic after his ship rammed a submarine.
The call of the sea is obviously strong in his family.
His grandson Michael signed up to the Royal Navy 13 months ago. “I told him it's up to you,” said George: “Let them run their navy, and be sure to behave yourself.”
For the last 26 years George has been an active member of his local British Legion, helping raise money through the Poppy appeals.