W/C.Q.M.S John Sisterson

John was discharged from the army in November 1945. He was living in Alnwick, Northumberland when he applied for his medals. He finished his service with 5th KOSB.

John's son wrote a piece for the BBC's WW2 People at War website in 2004. As this site is no longer updated, we've taken the decision to copy the text so it is preserved somewhere on the internet when the BBC site goes offline. *Please get in touch if you wish this to be removed.

The First French Beach: 1st KOSB at Dunkirk by sister01

People in story: John Sisterson
Location of story: Dunkirk
Background to story: Army
Article ID: A2317321
Contributed on: 19 February 2004

My father John Sisterson enlisted in the 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers in 1932. After tours of duty in Palestine (now Isreal)and Malta he was trained as a electrician to work on London's undeground in 1939. He never completed his training and was called back to his regiment in September 1939. The KOSB's as part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Div. Was sent to France with the BEF. Most of the Phoney war was spent by my father around Lille in NE France.

At the out set of the german offensive in 1940 my fathers unit was moved up into Belgium to meet the oncoming Germans.

The KOSB's along with other regiments fought various rear guard actions back towards Dunkirk with the ultimate action being fought at Furnes on the french Belguim border along with other such units as the Guards regiments.

After this rear guard action which was fought withbullet and bayonet, my father and his fellow soldiers were directed to march towards Dunkirk and then left by their officers.

My father via the beaches arrived at the main harbour. He states all the stuka and other bombardment had ended other than sporadic fighting. He and his fellow borderers ended up awaiting to be taken prisoners of war. Fortunately HMS Malcolm made a final run into the Mole. My father and his friend were ordered to carry a stretcher with a wounded soldier onboard. That is how he made it back to England. There are other stories he has not told me which relate to Dunkirk but I am sure they are no different to others that experienced those events.

The second French Beach was Le on sur Mer, Sword Beach Normandy June 6th 1944 07.00 and there in lies another story. John sisterson is alive and well at the age 87 years he is my father and my hero!

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author.
Original article on BBC site > https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/21/a2317321.shtml