Across the Wadi
John Rodgers was told by a Sergeant on his first day at Brancepeth Castle - "You're leaving home and you're leaving your mother. From now on I'm going to be you mother and father and everything for the rest of your Army life". This was the unwelcome reality for thousands of young men who were called up and joined the Army during the Second World War.
Fred Welsh
Fred remembers arriving at Brancepeth Castle in January 1940 and spending a cold night on the floor of a hall in Willington.
Fred Welsh's transcript (PDF) [34KB]
John Rodgers
John Rodgers' biography (PDF) [52KB]
John remembers arriving by train at Brancepeth in June 1940 and meeting his Platoon Sergeant for the first time.
John Rodgers' transcript (PDF) [33KB]
Richard Atkinson
A trained Territorial soldier in Gateshead, remembers receiving his call-up papers in September 1939.
Richard Atkinson's transcript (PDF) [34KB]
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