#Gnr L Randles

[martynrandles]

On this day, the 11th July 1944, 733 Casualties lost their lives in Normandy France.

One of the fallen Heroes of Normandy that day was Gunner Leslie Randles.

Rest in Peace Great Uncle Leslie, your sacrifice is not forgotten. Nor is the fact known to the Family that you ran away aged 16 years when you heard the Kings call to War.

RIP my brave Wallasey Warrior Great-Uncle, with respect & Love from all who know that the secret of the Lord is Yours.

Love from Martyn son of, Norman Leslie, son of your big brother Charles William Randles.

[martynrandles]

Gunner Leslie Randles fell in Normandy.

Gunner Leslie Randles fell in Normandy.

Gunner Leslie Randles fell in Normandy. How did a boy born 1924 in Wallasey, Cheshire end his 19 years on God’s Paradise Earth with the 102 Northumberland Hussars, Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery? Family tale has it he argued, fell out with his older brother Bill, at just 16, ran away, lied about his age & joined up to fight for King and Country. 14638298 Gunner Randles fought and died for you and me. He lies in Grave B5 Chouain, Jerusalem War Cemetery. “The Secret Of The Lord Is Mine” read the last words from his Family. You are not forgotten Great Uncle Leslie, Your big Brother Chas named his youngest Son, my Dad, Norman for Normandy, where you took your last breath. Leslie in Honour and in loving memory of you, the baby Brother he mourned for all his days. Carving a wooden house name sign “Calvados”

not for a love of French Brandy, no, Capt. Charles Randles, Mersey Ferries, named it for The Creators Land where you fell, just as the famous apples of His bountiful beautiful French Trees. I never met Grandad, your brother who loved you so. The closest I’ve touched him is his old wallet in my Dad’s inside pocket, his Stanley knife in big Norm’s toolbox not far from his Golden Virginia Tobacco Tin; whose sweet leaves I enjoyed a plenty too. I bet you know why I smile writing this,

as a fellow Randles Man, I’m sure you enjoyed a smoke or two too. Childhood memory of ficking through Grandad’s photo album, left to ‘me Dad’, borrowed without return; luckily for me, my photographic memory recalled the images therein of your Headstone. I can’t imagine how he felt, nor how his heart snapped upon hearing of your death. Yet, this December past, just before what would have been Chas’s 110th birthday, a couple of Norman’s lads, at opposite ends of England’s now fooded land, on the same Sunday night, unable to sleep, both felt Our Captain’s command clear & loud. “Seek out Our Leslie’s resting place my proud Wirral Boys.” Armed only with family tale & Your Beautiful name Dearest Great Uncle, Young Sir aged 19. I hunted, tracked, traced and found, your fnal resting place in Jerusalem’s sacred ground. I won’t rest until I know the full story of what led you there,

I shall shake of the years unrest and raise the Pounds to gain the Army’s yarn and point of view of the boy who join up, battled hard, fell dead and buried next to but a few of the Earth’s best and brightest stars. Snubbed out like a stormy winter’s night, outside bog, tree. I will never forget, I shall never surrender. These words I write for thee Mine young Uncle. 14638298 Gunner Leslie Randles, 102 Northumberland Hussars, Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. “The Secret Of The Lord Is Mine”. Your Honour, sacrifced, remembered. Rest in Peace Forevermore.

Let the Lore spread and Memory tell the answer to the King of Our Leslie.

© M.D.Randles 2021. Written between 1 & 4am, Friday 22nd January, 2021, by Martyn David Randles,

Son of Norman Leslie, Son of Charles William your loving Big Brother. Rest in Peace and Memory Forevermore until “The Secret Of The Lord Is Mine” too O’Dearest Great Uncle Leslie.

I look forward to meet you when my time is due. With Love from your Great-Nephew Martyn © 2021