Ron Levett's memories of his time in the British Liberation Army during World War II.

Ron Levett, born in Alfriston, East Sussex, enlisted in 1943 and joined the Royal Armoured Corps. After completing his training as a Driver Operator he was sent to Belgium to join the British Liberation Army, where he was posted to the Royal Scots Grays and then to the Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) signals troop. Their task was to liberate Belgium, Holland and ultimately Germany. This is his story.

The Guards Armoured Division was reverting to their normal role as an infantry division. They held a 'Farewell to Armour' parade on the airfield, which was part of our camp. Quite a lot of our men were allowed to watch this parade.

Unfortunately I was on duty at the Main Gate. Field Marshall Montgomery took the salute at the parade. According to my mates who saw the parade, they had never seen so much 'bull' in all their time in the army.

Apparently the Guards tanks had the entire wheel bolts painted white with the nuts painted red. The first six inched of the gun barrel had been burnished until it gleamed like silver. Every tank dipped its gun barrel in salute as it passed the saluting base.

I suppose the tanks then suffered the same fate as ours - dumped in the Atlantic. After the parade had passed the saluting base they drove away over the horizon. After a short pause, the band struck up and the Guards now marched back as infantry, with fixed bayonets. I have always regretted the fact that I never saw this parade.

Ron Levett, 2001