This year on ANZAC Day, we take the time to remember all who have served for our country. Woodford Manor Aged Care resident, John Worrall, reflects on his wartime experience in Wales and along with a special memory he distinctly recalls.
Born in 1931 in Manchester, United Kingdom, John tells us how he left school at the aged of 14 to begin his plumbing apprenticeship before heading into the army four years later. ‘I was18 years old and worked out of the King’s Own Royal Regiment in Wales, where I worked myself up to a full Corporal, and began to train all the young men coming through in service,’ he says.
John recalls that training other young soldiers involved a lot of personal training and shooting drills. ‘I would take [the soldiers] at any time of the day, cold, raining, windy, in all conditions,’ he says.
When asked about a unique memory from his time during active service, John reflects on a special visit from the British royal family. ‘One memory I will never forget, we had a visit from Price Phillip, Queen Elizabeth II was not present,’ says John. ‘We got asked to make a guard of honour and to stand at attention. [Prince Phillip]walked up to me and spoke about my medal I had on my shirt. As he began to leave, he turned and faced everyone and touched the tip of his hat, we stood at attention until the Prince had left the barracks.’
John became part of the Woodford Manor family in December 2022, and at age 92, John tells us that to this day, he doesn’t think too much about his time in active service. However, he does say he is very proud of his achievements and how he trained the young soldiers to be the best they could be.
Send us a message and one of our friendly team will be in touch.
