Wells Urban Kendle Powditch Notes WW2

The following information has been extracted from

pages 187 - 188 in Chapter 12 of my book,

"Peerless Powditch's", Vol 3, 'Norfolk Vacated' (1989)

- the Chapter of which is accessible on this website, by clicking

Wells Urban Kendle Powditch Notes WW2

Wells Urban Kendle Powditch already having fought In the First World War, "joined up" at

the outset of the Second World War by "putting his age back" in order to appear young

enough (at the time, he was actually aged 47 years old). Wells joined the 6th Battalion

Royal Wiltshires, as a Corporal. His age soon being questioned, he was immediately

removed from the Battalion, but given the choice of joining either the Pioneer Corp. or the

"Blue Caps" (Security Police - a division of the Military Police - and in charge of

Petroleum dumps, etc). Out of the options, Wells chose the "Blue Caps".

Later in the war, Wells was landed with others into France (in civilian clothes), in order to

"soften-up" the local fishermen and farmers regarding the impending invasion of D-Day

(Tuesday, 6 June 1944). Towards the end of the war, he advanced further inland, both

within France, and then in Germany, where, with the forward moving troops, and on

"duties with Prisoners of War", he reached at one time, and was appalled by, the "horror-

camp" at Belsen.

After the final unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies, on Monday, 7 May 1945,

peace began to return to Europe. Following his discharge, Wells Urban Kendle returned

to the building trade, and to Guernsey.

Wells Urban Kendle Powditch died in 1975, in his 83rd year.