Escaping with His Life: From Dunkirk to D-Day & Beyond
May 2019 · Pen and Sword
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256
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About this ebook
“A fitting tribute . . . exceptional in covering the duration of WWII as a soldier, commando, POW, escaper, and on through D-Day to Victory.” —Firetrench
Very few British soldiers could lay claim to such a full war as Leslie Young. Having survived the retreat to and evacuation from Dunkirk, he volunteered for the newly formed Commandos and took part in their first operation, the raid on the Lofoten Islands. He fought and was captured in Tunisia. He went on the run before his POW camp at Fontanellato was taken over by the Nazis after the September 1943 Italian armistice. He spent six months on the run in the Apennine mountains aided by brave and selfless Italians. Many of whom were actively fighting their occupiers. He eventually reached Allied lines but not before several of his companions were tragically killed by both German and American fire.
On return to England, he immediately signed up for the invasion of North West Europe and despite being wounded eventually fought through to Germany.
It is thanks to his son’s research that Major Young’s story can now be told. It is an inspiring and thrilling account which demands to be read.
“Nicely retold by his son, Nicholas, this memoir ticks all the boxes . . . An incredible story of one man’s war. It’s excellent.” —WW2Talk
“This wonderful account of the military life of Leslie Young is pure Boys’ Own Paper stuff, a tale of heroism and daring, of courage and fortitude. An amazing story, brilliantly told.” —Books Monthly
Very few British soldiers could lay claim to such a full war as Leslie Young. Having survived the retreat to and evacuation from Dunkirk, he volunteered for the newly formed Commandos and took part in their first operation, the raid on the Lofoten Islands. He fought and was captured in Tunisia. He went on the run before his POW camp at Fontanellato was taken over by the Nazis after the September 1943 Italian armistice. He spent six months on the run in the Apennine mountains aided by brave and selfless Italians. Many of whom were actively fighting their occupiers. He eventually reached Allied lines but not before several of his companions were tragically killed by both German and American fire.
On return to England, he immediately signed up for the invasion of North West Europe and despite being wounded eventually fought through to Germany.
It is thanks to his son’s research that Major Young’s story can now be told. It is an inspiring and thrilling account which demands to be read.
“Nicely retold by his son, Nicholas, this memoir ticks all the boxes . . . An incredible story of one man’s war. It’s excellent.” —WW2Talk
“This wonderful account of the military life of Leslie Young is pure Boys’ Own Paper stuff, a tale of heroism and daring, of courage and fortitude. An amazing story, brilliantly told.” —Books Monthly
About the author
Sir Nicholas Young’s distinguished career began as a corporate lawyer with one of the ‘Magic Circle’ law firms. After moving to East Anglia, he discovered his vocation as a charity worker, first with Sue Ryder and Leonard Cheshire before becoming Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support and then Chief Executive of The Red Cross, stepping down in 2014 after thirteen years. He was knighted for services to cancer care in 2000 and received The Queen’s Badge of Honour in 2013. In retirement he remains a charity trustee, adviser and consultant. He and his wife, Helen, live in Suffolk and have three sons, for whom this tribute to his Father was originally written.
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