Most of us know or have heard of the Stainer Street bombing above in WW2, and like me have looked at this sad and terrible picture many times. Having posted both these pictures and unbeknown to me then was that the gentleman in the middle under the bombed arch was the same Jim Smith who is in the first picture above. After this Jim went on to fight in Europe, India, Burma & Sumatra, another brave man (Soldier) who deserves our respect.
- Jim Smith on his wedding day, January 13, 1945.
This is the poem that Jim wrote.
The memories of my fallen mates,
Whose lives could not be saved,
And the guilty feelings that I had,
When I returned unscathed,
No one will know the anguish,
That I will always bear,
Or the many hidden tears I’ve shed,
For the mates I left back there!!
Jim Smith (C) 1949