There's a Soldier at the Gate

About the Book

A vividly personal account of one man's war from training as a conscript at Bovington, troop convoy via Durban, the long North African campaign, the push north to victory through Italy and the eventual return to Civvy Street;  the heartache of long separation from loved ones at home;  the comradeship of daily life at close quarters overcoming the common enemies of extreme heat, dust, cold and wet;  the tragedies, mishaps and close calls;  the fun and companionship of better times;  the forging of lifetime friendships;  and the joy of his final home-coming to Blighty.

Around the Cape, a desert sojourn, an Italian adventure, and a memorable flight in a Halifax bomber, all rolled into one true story in which a 10th Royal Hussar illustrates how ordinary men adapted to their surroundings to help shape world events!

About the Author

Vincent Arthur Crocker was born in Bristol, England on 17 June 1908, the middle of three sport-loving sons of a working class family of the Barton Hill area. After secondary education, he followed his father into work at J S Fry & Sons, major chocolate manufacturers.

Known also as Vince or Vic, Vincent married Hilda Cook, a primary school teacher, in April 1938 and they moved into a new semi-detached house in the Whitehall area of Bristol. In April 1939 their first child, Colin, was born.

In October 1940 Vincent was called into the Army and reported for training to Bovington Royal Army Corps in Dorset. He became a Technical Storeman in 10th Royal Hussars and saw service in North Africa and then in Italy, before his discharge in November 1945.

Vincent settled back into family life and a second son David was born in January 1947. He returned to work at J S Fry & Sons, where he remained until he retired in 1968. He played soccer until he was 40 but continued active participation in local cricket into his early 60's. Coming to car ownership in his 50's, Vincent and his wife holidayed extensively in England, Scotland and Wales but, despite his love of travelling, he never ventured abroad again. Amongst their trips were regular visits to two of Vincent's army chums, George Bull at Hambledon in Hampshire and Alex Watts at Brixham in Devon.

In his retirement Vincent wrote in longhand the memories of his childhood in Barton Hill. He also set out in four long exercise books the personal story of his war. His memory was keen and for his war memoirs he referred to diaries and letters he had sent his wife, as well as maps and official records. He gave his story a title - There's a Soldier at the Gate - as this was the message young son Colin gave his mother when he saw Vincent arriving home. Vincent's niece Sheila read the manuscript, typed it up and had it bound for him as an 80th birthday surprise. The book and an accompanying scrapbook were passed around family and friends but Vincent never aspired to having it published.

Vincent and his wife lived into their 90's. They were loyal members of Castle Green United Reform Church at Greenbank in Bristol for some 80 years. Vincent was 95 when he died on 21 August 2003.

This note has been prepared by Vincent's son, Colin, who is arranging publication of There's a Soldier at the Gate as a tribute to his father's memory.